Provide compassionate care in an unconventional setting
Make a difference in the lives of individuals in custody and in keeping our communities safe by delivering comprehensive health care in corrections and leading the development of the Nurse Practitioner role.
We need caring and compassionate Nurse Practitioners passionate about primary health care and experienced in chronic disease management, pain and symptom management, and mental health and addictions.
About the job
As a Nurse Practitioner with the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, you will work collaboratively as a member of the inter-professional health care team and apply your specialized knowledge to provide patient-centred primary care. You can expect the typical day to include activities such as:
- Assessing, diagnosing, and prescribing treatment focused health promotion and disease prevention
- Communicating diagnosis and treatment plan options
- Collaborate with an inter-professional team in the development of the patient plan of care
- Supporting the principles of self-care by involving offenders in their own plan of care
- Responding to emergency situations and implementing appropriate interventions
- Practising in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario practice standards, ministry expectations, and the security requirements of the institution
What you bring to the team
Mandatory Requirements
- You are registered as a Registered Nurse Extended Class (Nurse Practitioner) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
- You have a Nurse Practitioner specialty certificate in primary health care or adult care
Clinical Assessment, Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills
You can:
- collect, interpret and utilize information from patients and other sources
- respond to emergency situations and implement appropriate interventions
- evaluate responses to treatment and modify the treatment plan to achieve established goals
Leadership Skills
You can:
- coordinate and deliver primary health care services
- embed quality improvement into health care practices
- lead consultation and engagement with healthcare staff and partners
Specialized Knowledge
You have knowledge of:
- illness/disease theory, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and laboratory testing, evidence-based practice and current treatment modalities
- mental health and addiction treatment options
You can interpret and apply legislation to practice (i.e., Health Care Consent Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act, Regulated Health Professions Act, etc.)
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
You can:
- communicate effectively and present information clearly and concisely
- document care and progress by preparing notes, plans and summaries
- adapt your communication skills to provide information and health teaching to a diverse population
- advocate for and encourage patient participation in their plan of care
- support patients in the implementation and modification of their treatment plan
Hours of Work
- The hours of work are 36.25 hours per week. You are expected to work rotating shifts in a health care unit that provides 7 days per week service, up to 24 hours a day.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
- diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- accessibility
- Anti-Racism Policy
What we offer
Working as a nurse practitioner in a correctional facility can be highly rewarding for several reasons:
- You will participate as a leader in the continued development of the Nurse Practitioner role, delivering comprehensive health care for people in corrections.
- You will play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process, helping patients in custody achieve independence and self-care, which increases their chances of successfully re-entering the community
- The unconventional setting challenges you to adapt and grow professionally, enhancing resilience and problem-solving abilities
- By improving the health and well-being of patients in custody, you will contribute significantly to public health and safety
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for various ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
- a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
- flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
- many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:
- a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
- group health, dental, life and disability benefits
- a range of vacation and leave options
- an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services
- Inclusive Counselling Services, which provides confidential mental health support from professionals belonging to diverse communities
Additional information
Address:
- 1 English Permanent - Full Time, 165 Barton St E, Hamilton, West Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS
Compensation Group:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Understanding the job ad - definitions
Schedule:
3-7
Category:
Health and Social Services
Posted on:
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Note:
- About security checks:
- A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
- If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
- Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
- T-CL-249491/26
How to apply:
- You must apply online.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember:
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 9, 2026 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .
