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.
Nurse practitioners 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 patients leaving custody successfully re-entering the community.
This is a continuous posting and will be posted until filled. Screening and selection processes will begin after April 22, 2026. This posting may be extended but could close at any time after this date without notice. Please only submit your application ONCE under this Job ID.
As a Nurse Practitioner, 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
- 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
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
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
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.)
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
- 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.
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!
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
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
