Provide compassionate care in an unconventional setting
We are seeking caring and compassionate Registered Practical Nurses to join our health care team at the South West Detention Centre. Nurses who work in corrections practice a wide range of nursing skills in an unconventional setting. They play an important part of the rehabilitation process by helping patients in custody achieve independence and self-care. This helps increase the chance of a patient leaving custody successfully re-entering the community.
If you are a conscientious and well-organized Registered Practical Nurse with a dedicated commitment to the care and wellbeing of others, don't miss this rewarding opportunity!
About the job
As a Registered Practical Nurse with the South West Detention Centre, you will work collaboratively as a member of the inter-professional health care team to provide nursing care, within the RPN scope of practice as defined by the College of Nurses of Ontario, to patients in stable health care conditions and with predicable outcomes. You can expect the typical day to include activities such as:
- Preparing and administering medications
- Monitoring effects, side effects and adverse effects of medications and/treatment
- Reporting observations to the MD and/or registered nurse
- Responding to emergencies and urgent care
- Monitoring patients' healthcare status
- Maintaining accurate medical records and charts
- Maintaining a safe, secure and clean environment
- Communicating with other clinical and correctional professionals
- 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 currently registered in good standing as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Nursing Knowledge, Experience and Skills
You can:
- provide full scope of services to patients with defined needs and/or predicable outcomes
- collect, interpret and evaluate health information from patients and other sources
- evaluate responses to planned interventions
- contribute to the development of treatment and care plans
You have knowledge of professional standards and guidelines, best practice guidelines, and nursing theories, practices, and relevant legislation such as the Regulated Health Professions Act and Health Care Consent Act.
Problem-Solving and Analytical skills
You can:
- identify patients with complex needs and report to MD/RN
- provide routine and emergency care, health teaching, and counselling to patients with defined needs and/or predicable outcomes
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
You can:
- work effectively with staff and patients
- advocate on behalf of patients
- explain health care treatments
- explain possible side effects of medications and medical treatments
- provide health education, and promote and support treatment goals
- work as part of an inter-professional team
- use a team approach to deliver care to a diverse patient population
Hours of Work
- The hours of work are 40 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.
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
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 in a correctional facility can be highly rewarding for several reasons:
- You will practice and have exposure to a wide range of nursing skills, from acute care to mental health, providing a unique and varied work experience
- 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 improving their health outcomes and contribute to public health and safety
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of 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
a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment
Additional information
Address:
- 2 English Permanent, 4819 8th Concession Rd, RR3, Maidstone, 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:
4-7
Category:
Health and Social Services
Posted on:
Thursday, October 22, 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-250603/26(2)
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 Thursday, November 5, 2026 11:59 pm EST. 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 .
