Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) - Residence - FT Permanent

Position : Registered Practical Nurse

Status : Full-Time Permanent

Location: Leamington

Reports to: Residence Manager

Start Date: October 2026

We ask that interested candidates please submit their applications by 9:00AM on Monday September 21, 2026. 

ABOUT THE HOSPICE OF WINDSOR AND ESSEX COUNTY 

Founded to provide compassionate, clinical, end-of-life care, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. (Hospice) has been caring for our community since 1979. Hospice believes in equitable access to care for all. We provide specialized wrap-around services to adults, children, and their caregivers, in the setting of their choice – whether it be in our Residences or in their home.

With only partial government funding, it has been through the generous support of our volunteers and our community that we have continued to provide memorable care, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is dedicated to Hospice’s vision, mission, and values. They support and work towards achieving the strategic directions set out by the Board of Directors. They put their best efforts forward to promote the interests of our patients as well as contribute to a positive work culture.

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is a front-line staff member with clinical expertise who will ensure the delivery of high quality, patient-centered care. They are a vital member of the interdisciplinary team, supporting the Hospice Residence Manager, Physicians, Registered Nurses, Personal Support Workers (PSW), Coordinator of Volunteers, Social Workers and volunteers at the Hospice Residence.

The RPN provides direct, compassionate end-of-life care by assessing patient needs, developing and implementing care plans and coordinating with an interdisciplinary team. The focus is on enhancing comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families during their final stages.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Hospice Nursing

• Conduct comprehensive and ongoing assessments of the patients and their families using the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association’s (CHPCA) 8 domains of care (physical, psychological, social, spiritual, practical, end-of-life/death management, loss/grief and disease management).
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualized care plans, ensuring alignment with the patient’s goals of care, focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life and accounting for demographic needs such as social determinants of health, age, gender or gender identity, race, cultural, ethnic and linguistic needs, personal or religious values and beliefs, developmental needs, education and literacy, and abilities/disabilities.
• Provide direct, hands-on-care, including medication administration and advanced wound care/treatments as prescribed; maintain patient caseload within CNO scope of practice.
• Proactively identify, assess and manage palliative care emergencies including, but not limited to biliary, bowel and urinary obstruction, catastrophic bleed, delirium, hypercalcemia, pain crisis, seizures, spinal cord compression and superior vena cava obstruction.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of common pain and symptom management medications and consult with other providers to guide management of potential side effects, interactions or complications.
• Screen, assess and manage delirium; screen and assess respiratory symptoms; assess and manage gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, bleeding, and thromboembolic events; manage hydration and nutrition concerns aligning with the Ontario Palliative Care Network (OPCN) Palliative Care Competency Framework.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive in-depth understanding of the pharmacological and physiological use of adjuvant medications in managing pain and symptoms.
• Interpret medical information and educate patients and families about their condition, the end-of-life process, and what to expect, addressing questions and concerns with clarity and compassion.
• Manage complex clinical and patient/family situations independently and escalate to Managers/Director as required.
• Provide orientation and mentorship to any new staff members, ensuring a smooth integration into the organization’s culture and processes.

Support and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Assist the Hospice Residence Manager with daily management of the residences.
• Welcome and orientate new residents and families into the Hospice residence, to achieve a fulsome understanding of the environment and support system available within the home.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, social workers, and other health professionals.
• Communicate, implement and ensure that Hospice’s responsive and holistic culture is maintained and evident within the Hospice residences.
• Support individuals in making informed decisions regarding the depth of information about diagnosis, prognosis and disease progression they wish to receive and share with their families.
• Develop and nurture professional and therapeutic relationships with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care.
• Communicate and implement Hospice’s support services as appropriate for families and patients admitted to the residence.
• Demonstrate openness and sensitivity to social, spiritual and cultural values and practices that influence end-of-life preferences.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of dying, death, grief, loss, and bereavement; recognize and respond to grief reactions.
• Explore questions and concerns expressed by patients and their families regarding the dying process and provide information about what to expect.
• Accurately assess and manage individuals’ and families’ loss, grief and bereavement needs, through interventions or referring to appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team.

Best Practices, Standards and Guidelines

• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices for expected death, including organizational policies and processes.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of and proficiency with relevant legislation and policies, including the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, the Substitute Decisions Act, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) protocols, etc.
• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive documentation in accordance with professional standards, CNO guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Actively collect statistical and clinical quality improvement data, under the direction of the Hospice Residence Manager, thereby meeting the required timelines for monthly, quarterly, and annual report needs.
• Actively contributes to maintaining a safe environment for residents, family, visitors, staff and volunteers, through ongoing environmental surveying and prompt issue resolution.

Quality and Process Improvement, Special Projects

• Participate in planning with the Hospice Residence Manager, by providing suggestions related to education and support needs of patients/families, residence personnel, volunteers, and other employees, with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
• Participate in the development, training and implementation of policies, procedures, practices and projects which ensure best practices in the Hospice.

NOTE: This position profile is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Accountable to the Hospice Residence Manager and the Director of Clinical Services and Informatics.
• Accountable for performing in adherence to the Hospice Mission, Vision and Values.
• Accountable for adhering to Hospice Policies, professional behaviour and for ensuring review of such as required.
• Accountable to maintain clinical competence through continuing education and required reflective practice protocols as established by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Accountable to submit annually proof of current certificate of competence registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario to Human Resources.
• Accountable for adherence to HPCO and CARF accreditation standards.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Hourly pay: $30.99 - $35.81 per hour full-time
• Pension:  Hospice is a proud member of The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). Available for enrollment for all staff.
• Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits available with 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Education Endowment: Funding available to support continuing education and professional development opportunities.
• Paid Time Off:  Employees receive a minimum of three (3) weeks of paid vacation annually.
• Paid Sick/Personal Emergency Leave: Full-time employees are provided with ten (10) paid personal emergency leave days per year.
• Flexible Schedule:  We support flexible scheduling to help promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Health Spending Account: Permanent full-time staff receive a $500 annual Health Spending Account.
• Hospice Apparel:  Employees will get a gift card to purchase Hospice-branded apparel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • Valid Police Record Check including vulnerable sector check (within six months of hire, and declaration of offences as required).
  • French language skills are an asset.
  • This position requires flexible hours (days, nights, weekends and holidays in rotation).
• TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Maintain clinical competence through continuing education and required reflective practice protocols as established by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Demonstrate and maintain competence and standards of care in relation to knowledge, critical thinking, and technical skills for palliative and end-of-life care.
  • Knowledge of interdisciplinary client care, infection control, pressure injury prevention, fall risk prevention, medication management, and proper body mechanics in the provision of care.
  • Proficiency in pain and symptom management.
  • Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills and ability to work in teams.
  • Excellent critical thinking skills.
  • Flexibility and strong ability to adapt, respond and manage complex tasks simultaneously.
  • Strong ethical and compassionate approach, adaptable to changing situations.
  • Demonstrated teaching and training skills in both one-on-one and group settings.
  • Physical ability and stamina to provide clinical care to residents throughout a 12-hour shift.
  • Commitment to continuous learning.
• SPECIFIC SKILL REQUIREMENTS: The following skills must be performed according to procedure (available in policy and procedures)
  • CADD Solis Pump
  • Catheterization
  • CVAD Care
  • ISI Insertion (BD Saf-T-Intima)
  • ISI Insertion (Cleo)
  • PICC Line Dressing Change
  • Subcutaneous Injections
  • Suctioning a Tracheostomy/Tracheostomy Care
• EXPERIENCE
  • At least three (3) years’ experience in the field of community palliative care, end-of-life care, or oncology nursing.
  • Experience in chronic disease and/or geriatrics is an asset.
  • Community experience or knowledge of community agencies is an asset.
• EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Registration in good standing as an RPN with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) is an asset.
  • CNA Certification in Hospice Palliative Care is an asset.
  • Completion of the Fundamentals of Palliative Care and Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education (CAPCE) is an asset, required within the first year of employment.
  • CPR Certification and annual maintenance.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted. The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Hospice throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

NOTE: This posting is being advertised to fill a current vacancy within the organization.