Position: RN

Department: MHA Crisis Response Unit (CRU)

Position Status: Temporary Full-Time

Temporary Contract End Date: October 2026

Union: ONA

Number of Positions: 1

Location: On site

Language: English

The PRHC Difference:

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is a regional hospital delivering acute healthcare to a rapidly growing population of more than 300,000 in Peterborough and the surrounding communities, including the First Nations of Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville.

With an annual budget of nearly $390 million, and a proud local history extending back over a century, PRHC has nearly 500 inpatient beds and offers a wide range of services, including specialized programs in renal, stroke, cardiac, cancer care, vascular surgery and mental health & addictions.

PRHC is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada a 90-minute drive north-east of Toronto. We are the region’s largest employer with more than 3,100 staff, 450 physicians with privileges, and a core group of 250 volunteers

As a member of the PRHC team, you will be part of an exceptional working environment – a forum to share knowledge, to lead and learn, to develop talents, relationships and careers, and a culture that recognizes and celebrates the efforts and achievements of its people.

PRHC is proud to be recognized as one of the top 20 employers nationwide in the healthcare and social services category, and 199 overall among 300 Canadian employers across all sectors, on the Canada’s Best Employers list released by Forbes in 2025.

Top Benefits and Perks:

• Vacation and Benefits
• Pension program with matching employer contribution
• Health and Wellness programs (gym and yoga memberships, travel discounts, etc.)
• Learning fund for educational development

HOURS OF WORK:

The stated hours of work are approximate as schedules are subject to change with the operational needs of the Health Centre. Changes made to hours of work will follow the terms of the applicable collective agreement, company policy and/or legislation.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The PRHC Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is comprised of CRU W3, located in the Emergency Department (ED), and CRU Short Stay (SS), located in D1. Patients presenting to the ED with an MHA diagnosis as their chief complaint will be seen by the CRU W3 nurses. The RN works within the Crisis Team (1) to conduct a comprehensive psychiatric nursing assessment of assigned clients (and their significant others as appropriate); and (2) to communicate the assessment and recommendation for intervention/disposition to the physician(s). After the plan of intervention/disposition has been determined, the RN may assist in its implementation if appropriate e.g., arrange follow-up, communicate with other caregivers, assist in admission, etc. The CRU SS unit is an extended observation unit comprised of 3 beds and is geared towards comprehensive assessment and disposition of patients who come to the CRU in an apparent psychiatric crisis.

The position of Crisis RN has unique responsibilities and challenges requiring specific qualifications. The Crisis RN will utilize nursing best practises in a multi-disciplinary team and will act as charge nurse and nurse therapist on all tours of duty.

All duties are performed within the defined professional standards of the College of Nurses of Ontario, with a high level of ethics and confidentiality. Personal and client-related safety precautions are practised in accordance with legislative regulations and hospital policy. Other functions include liaison, staff education, consultations and administrative tasks.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Current Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Competency in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification based on the Ontario Heart and Stroke Standards
• CNO/ONS Certification in Mental Health nursing preferred or equivalent experience
• Courses in psychiatry/mental health an asset.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Mental Health Nursing required
• Recent clinical psychiatric nursing experience in crisis assessments in an Emergency setting.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Excellent verbal communication and documentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills /therapeutic use of self and ability to work well with patients, staff, physicians and the community.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric/mental health illnesses and medications used in treatment of such illnesses.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to handle stressful/crisis situations.
• Current BCLS
• Non-violent crisis intervention certificate would be an asset.
• Basic computer and keyboarding skills would be an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education.
• Demonstrated ability to attend work on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Working Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, Least Restraint Policy and a commitment to use of alternatives to restraints and a reasonable comfort level with acting out behaviours.

OUR COMMITMENT:

At PRHC, we take great pride in maintaining an inclusive culture of respect and a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. We do this because we understand that bringing different perspectives and backgrounds to the fulfillment of our mission, vision and values makes us better.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of all equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, black, racialized, women, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations. Even if your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification on this position, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for another role within our organization.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment that is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). Should you require accommodation through the recruitment and selection process, please notify us by indicating this on your application form and upon initial contact by our recruitment team. This will ensure that we can tailor the recruitment process to meet your accommodation needs.

Thank you for your interest in the opportunity at PRHC. If you are selected to move forward in the recruitment process, you will be contacted by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.