Job ID #32303: Public Health Nurse

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #BeTheReason

• Job ID #32303: Public Health Nurse
• Union: ONA Health
• Job Description ID #: 1270
• Close date: Interested applicants please submit your application online at by 4:00 p.m. on  November 4, 2026.
• Duration: Up to 12 months
• Vacancy type: This posting is for an existing vacancy
• Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address . External applicants are considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.
  

SUMMARY OF DUTIES
Reports to a Program Supervisor or Manager. A Public Health Nurse (PHN) integrates knowledge from public health sciences, primary health care, nursing science, and the social sciences to promote, protect and preserve the health of populations. PHNs use their clinical understanding and knowledge of the health and illness experiences of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations in their public health nursing practice. PHNs work in a wide range of settings with diverse health and inter-sectorial partnerships to address health equity and achieve positive population health outcomes. PHNs are expected to: (1) understand and practice according to the current Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice and Public Health Nursing Discipline-Specific Competencies; (2) adhere to the College of Nurses of Ontario’s Standards of Practice, (3) carry out activities under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health or designate, in compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, Nursing Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, and other relevant legislation; and (4) comply with City, Department, Division and Program policies and procedures and uphold the corporate cultural pillars of: collective ownership, steadfast integrity, courageous change, sensational service, and engaged and empowered employees.
Public Health Nurses are required to maintain general knowledge and competencies required to implement nursing best practices for minimal contact interventions, connect clients to primary care, and connect clients to care in topic areas aligned with the Ontario Public Health Standards, Hamilton Public Health Services’ public health priority areas, and as identified through nursing community assessment of assets and barriers to health.
Public Health Nurses are required to support the unique role and mandate of public health in the prevention, control, and response to diseases of public health significance as outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Ontario Public Health Standards. Responsible to:
• Maintain immunization competencies through independent learning, clinical skills training, and vaccine administration as scheduled.
• Maintain knowledge and competencies related to diseases of public health significance and the principles and practices of case and contact management through independent learning, training, on-the-job mentoring, and service delivery related to infectious disease response.
• Fulfil assigned roles in response to a pandemic, outbreak, surge capacity event, or other emergency with public health impacts. 

JOB ASSIGNMENT
Public Health Nurses in the Harm Reduction Program are expected to provide a full range of services including Street Health and outreach clinics, The Van Needle Syringe program, outreach nursing services to the community, and community development as well as sexual health services for high-risk populations. The position will also support other activities of the harm reduction program, including naloxone and harm reduction supply onboarding of community agencies, support for health promotion initiatives, and delivery of seasonal respiratory vaccine clinics. The PHN must be comfortable working with clients of all age groups and diverse lifestyles. PHNs in the program are required to participate in professional development activities leading to certification for use of medical directives. The PHN will ideally have previous experience working in street health and/or sexual health clinics and/or mobile needle syringe programs. The PHN should also be knowledgeable regarding: relevant clinical issues such as sexual and blood borne infections, STI testing and treatment, STBBI prevention, harm reduction, substance use and treatment options, trauma- and-violence informed care, overdose prevention, naloxone, and the Health Promotion & Protection Act. In addition to regular activities, PHNs are expected to fulfil assigned roles in response to public health threat or emergency situation.

ASSESSMENT & PLANNING
• Access high-quality data, research findings, and other information sources to plan evidence-informed programs, services, and interventions to meet client needs.
• Apply population health assessment data to identify health concerns, trends, and priorities impacting client health outcomes.
• Collaborate with clients to conduct a comprehensive assessment of assets and needs.
• Develop appropriate and mutually agreed upon plans and priorities for care with the client taking into account health equity, trauma and violence informed care, and cultural safety.
• Plan programs, services and interventions using a wide range of health promotion strategies that include reorienting health services, creating supportive environments, healthy public policy, strengthening community capacity, and developing personal skills in collaboration with clients and community partners.
• Plan programs, services and interventions using strategies that impact health through the provision of health education and counselling, clinical interventions, long-lasting protective interventions, changing the context to support health, and addressing socioeconomic factors in collaboration with clients and community partners. 

INTERVENTION
• Implement programs, services, and interventions according to best practices and established program, divisional, departmental, and corporate policies and procedures.
• Implement medical directives as requested by the Program Manager and authorized by the Medical Officer of Health and Associate Medical Officers of Health.
• Collaborate with colleagues, health professionals and community partners to contribute to comprehensive client care and optimal client care outcomes within the parameters of departmental, divisional and program policies.
• Provide nursing care using an asset-based approach that aligns with the principles of client-centered care, trauma and violence-informed care, harm reduction, cultural safety, and social justice. 
• Involve client as an active partner and facilitate informed client consent and informed decision making.
• Implement programs and services that address health equity using a wide range of health promotion strategies that include reorienting health services, creating supportive environments, healthy public policy, strengthening community capacity, and developing personal skills in collaboration with clients and community partners.
• Implement programs and services that address health equity using strategies that impact health outcomes through the provision of health education and counselling, clinical interventions, long-lasting protective interventions, changing the context to support health, and addressing socioeconomic factors in collaboration with clients and community partners. 
• Use appropriate strategies to overcome inequities and facilitate access to services and health-supporting conditions for potentially vulnerable populations (e.g., outreach, home visits, etc.).
• Use knowledge of the community, public health services, and health systems to provide safe transitions to care and facilitate client connection to programs, and services.
• Build a network of relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of community partners to address health-related issues.
• Develop reports as required by Program Manager.
• Fulfil assigned role in response to a public health threat or emergency. Assigned roles may include redeployment to assist in the response to the event, or for business continuity purposes.

EVALUATION 
• Engage in critical reflection in and on nursing practice for continual improvement.
• Monitor client outcomes and work with client to adjust the plan of care as needed.
• Engage in program, divisional, and departmental evaluation, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement processes as required.
• Participate in research projects as approved by Program Manager.
• Contribute to the budget reporting process as requested by Program Manager.

PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE 
• Contribute to positive team-based service delivery designed to reduce barriers and meet community needs (e.g.: participate with the Program Supervisor or Manager on scheduling as appropriate)
• Ensure appropriate and timely communication with Program Supervisor or Manager and other team members about relevant issues in the care of clients.
• Document nursing activities in a timely and thorough manner according to the College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice, as well as departmental, divisional, and program policies. 
• Maintain professional boundaries in all relationships being aware of settings where the professional and social relationships may become blurred.
• Support, mentor, and teach public health team members, including precepting students.
• Work with the Program Supervisor or Manager to identify and address areas for professional growth. Seek professional development experiences that are consistent with public health nursing competency and/or content areas and business plans of the department.
• Stand by decisions that benefit the broad goals and objectives of Public Health Services, even if the decisions are unpopular or controversial. 
• Act in accordance with City of Hamilton standards of conduct and respects the organization’s business agenda by fulfilling all job responsibilities. 
• Act as an ambassador for the City of Hamilton when communicating with internal and external partners.

Public Health Nurses are expected to perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS
1. Entitled by the College of Nurses of Ontario to practice as a Registered Nurse with current registration with College of Nurses of Ontario in the general class, Registered Nurse (RN) category.

2. Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from a recognized and accredited program that includes preparation in public health nursing as part of the curriculum.
Note : If the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing does not include preparation in public health as part of the curriculum, then the Baccalaureate Degree must be supplemented with a certificate or diploma in public health nursing obtained after no less then one academic year as per the Health Protection and Promotion Act. 

3. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of public health nursing as outlined in the Public Health Nursing Discipline Specific Competencies, Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice, and Ontario Public Health Standards.

4. Previous experience in public health nursing preferred, including:
• Demonstrated proficiency in the competency areas set out by the Core Public Health Competencies and the Public Health Nursing Discipline Specific Competences. 
• Demonstrated ability to practice nursing independently within the domains set out by the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice. 

5. Demonstrated ability to adhere to the Entry-to-Practice Competencies, Practice Standards and Guidelines set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

6. Demonstrated proficiency in establishing and maintaining therapeutic nurse-client relationships with individuals, families, groups, and communities from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

7. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate.

8. Demonstrated ability to form professional and collaborative working relationships and function as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

9. Demonstrated ability to set and maintain high performance standards while practicing independently to achieve results.

10. Demonstrated ability to apply the values of accountability, cost-consciousness, equity, excellence, honesty, innovation, leadership, and teamwork.

11. Demonstrated ability to engage in reflective practice and in constructive dialogue about professional development.

12. Provision of a vehicle for use on the job.

13. Must have a valid Class “G” Driver’s Licence.

NOTE : The successful candidate will be required to provide immunization records, which may include TB testing prior to the start of employment to meet the requirements of 

Policy HSW-01 Staff Proof of Immunity to Vaccine Preventable Diseases.

NOTE : The successful candidate will be required to provide driving coverage for Van Needle Syringe program. A good driving record with a Class G licence is required.

Disclaimer:

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy. Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms:

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.