Job Description

Salary: $52,931.21 to $77,640.41 annually

About Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo (The Health Centre)

The Health Centre provides a broad range of services aimed at improving the health of individuals and the wider community. Our services include medical and dental care, health promotion, illness prevention and outreach programming. Our expertise and resources are focused on working with those who experience health inequities and barriers to accessing health services. Collaborating as an interdisciplinary team, we provide services and supports that address the social determinants of health including factors and barriers such as poverty, inadequate housing, food insecurity, substance use, language and culture, as well as stigma and social exclusion.

The Health Centre works with the most complex client population served by primary health care professionals within Waterloo Region. Our highly skilled and diverse team works from a strength-based approach with individual clients as well as the broader community. We collaborate with many partner agencies and organizations within Waterloo Region. Our team consists of Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Chiropodists, Pharmacists, Psychiatrists, Health Promoters, Community Health Workers, Administrative Staff and Volunteers.

We invite you to consider this opportunity to join our team and contribute to this important work.

The Health Centre is currently recruiting for the following position:

Job Title: Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse - Outreach

Permanent, FTE 1.0 - 37.5h per week

Registered Nurse

Pay: $64,4401.02 to $77,640.41 per year

Registered Practical Nurse

Pay: $52,931.21 to $63,772.45 per year

Position Summary

The primary focus of this position is to support CHCKW outreach teams that serve individuals who are homeless and precariously housed. Often, these individuals are more complex due to mental health and addiction issues. This position works closely with outreach clients and provides support to mobile primary care teams both at fixed outreach clinics and through mobile outreach support. In addition, our outreach teams work with other partners community partners that serve the same clients.

Specific Responsibilities

Perform assessments, health education/counselling and other clinical activities in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards of practice for Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurses and all relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
Main duties include direct client support nursing care within full scope of practice for individuals who are homeless and precariously housed.
Perform basic nursing skills (e.g. dressing of wounds, injections, suture /clip removal and assist with other procedures as requested).
Receive training and support to perform nursing skills to the highest end of the RPN/RN scope. Provide clinical services as under medical directives.
Participate in case conferences to ensure co-ordination of services to client.
Perform non-clinical duties such as the ordering and distribution of supplies.
Have a regular and consistent nursing presence at HART Transitional Housing supporting participants with nursing needs and facilitating bridges to ongoing primary care and supports.
Ensure exam rooms at Outreach locations are stocked and ready for use. Help to set up new outreach clinics as needed.
Work from a Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed and Social Determinants of Health perspective to improve health outcomes for individual clients and/or for the development of community health and well-being, and to reduce health inequities.
Maintain accurate and up to date clinical notes in accordance with RPN/RN professional standards and CHKW policy.
Perform necessary clinical functions to facilitate the delivery of comprehensive, outreach primary care. Assessment, treatment, health education, counselling and other clinical activities in scope.
Triage clients needs, either over the phone or in person.
Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health promotion/disease prevention programs for individuals and client populations as determined by CHKW.
As a preceptor to nursing students, provide orientation, ongoing support, coaching and monitoring to meet the requirements of CHKW and of the educational institution.
Work during both regular and extended hours including 1 evening per week at outreach locations within Kitchener/Waterloo with irregular hours evenings and weekends.
Participate in team and staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.
Collect, analyze and report on data and relevant information and participate in research as determined by CHKW.
Contribute to the centres practices of hiring, orienting and training of staff.
Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality. Be able to communicate health information to appropriate health care professionals.
Work in a manner that ensures client safety and minimizes risk to clients, volunteers and the centre.
Work in a manner consistent with the CHKW vision, mission and guiding principles.
Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance.
Adhere to all CHKW policies.
Maintain up to date, accurate, clinical notes in accordance with RPN professional standards and CHKW/IPC policy.
Participate in staff and team meetings and multi-agency meetings as needed.
Maintain a valid drivers license, access to a reliable personal vehicle and adequate insurance for work-related travel in accordance with CHKW Policy A1901.
Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
Work with other members of community partners (or other social service agencies) to provide wrap around care for Outreach clients.
Work with members of other community partners to contribute to larger initiatives such as vaccination clinics, isolation spaces, covid response, etc.
Provide input/explore Outreach locations and connect with other agencies to create new partnerships regarding outreach client care.
Complete home visits as needed.
Support Public Health initiatives. Supportive housing, boarding houses. E.g. Supporting syphilis and other infectious disease.
Adhere to and support Public Health guidelines, including vaccinations, isolation, and testing for patients.
Ability to respond in emergency situations, such as drug poisonings.
Ability to work autonomously and consult practitioners as needed.
Serve as a health care connector, to reconnect patients back to primary care and other health care services.
Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centres policy and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.
Participate in research as determined by the Health Centre.
Adhere to appropriate infection control practices.
Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Accountability

The position is accountable to the Manager, Outreach

Qualifications

Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse in a good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Experience working with those who experience homelessness, mental health and/or addictions issues is considered an asset. Experience in wound care is considered an asset.
Proficiency in Electronic Health Records; experience with PS Suites is considered an asset.
Experience working effectively with culturally and economically diverse populations.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally.
Current and ongoing CPR certification.
Ability to work independently as well as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to work collaboratively.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Experience working sensitively with culturally and economically diverse populations.
Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.

Benefit package:

3 weeks vacation to start; 4 weeks after 1 year of employment

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Paid Public Holidays & Sick Days

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Application Deadline: April 30th, 2026

The Health Centre values the diversity of its staff and welcomes applications from people of all races, ethnicity, religions, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and those with disabilities.

Individuals with a disability requiring accommodation during the application and/or the interview process should contact humanresources@healthcaringkw.org so suitable arrangements can be made.

Personal information submitted will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment process.

We appreciate all expressions of interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This posting is for a currently available open position.

HealthCaringKW

Open Positions

Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse; Outreach