Health Services careers

Registered Nurses, Registered/ Licenced Practical Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses work in health clinics located within our federal institutions. Nurses provide care specializing in services that reflect the needs of a diverse patient population. As regulated (licenced) providers, nurses practice in accordance with professional standards and departmental/ institutional policy. Care may include services targeted at:

• opioid agonist treatment
• emergency care
• infectious disease prevention and treatment
• mental health care and treatment
• interventions to preserve life and prevent serious bodily harm
• discharge planning

As a Nurse, you will provide patients with:

• essential health care
• reasonable access to non-essential health care
• contribute to patient rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community
• work closely with the interdisciplinary team of professionals to improve the lives of patients

Testimonials

• Lift me up – Amber – Registered Nurse
• Lift me up – Olabanji – Mental Health Nurse

Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in CSC’s Health Services team. Nurse Practitioners collaborate with other interdisciplinary team members to deliver client centred, holistic care. Their typical responsibilities include:

• performing comprehensive health assessments to diagnose and treat health conditions.
• ordering and interpreting screening and diagnostic tests
• performing medical procedures
• prescribing medication 
• referring patients to alternative services within the interdisciplinary team
• treatment and management of acute and chronic illness within a holistic model of care
• providing support and education to patients on their diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, and self-management of health conditions
• serving as a mentor and coach to nursing colleagues
• providing on-call duties where required.

Psychologists and Mental Health Clinicians support patients with a variety of mental health interventions, including assessments and treatment. Care is provided within an interdisciplinary team centred on a patient’s needs following assessment.
As a Psychologist in CSC, you will:

• provide assessments of risk to re-offend
• provide assessments of personality, mental health, and criminogenic needs
• assess risk for suicide or self-injury
• provide interventions to preserve life and prevent serious bodily harm
• provide interventions to promote improved emotional and behavioural adjustment
• provide supportive counselling to clients in crisis
• provide psychotherapy to facilitate positive change in emotional, behavioural, and social functioning
• conduct approved research with patients in the domain of forensic, clinical psychology or mental health
• provide leadership, mentorship or supervision to health professionals and interns or practicum students
• be involved in Accreditation and Quality Improvement processes

Mental Health Clinicians are typically involved in the process of obtaining registration for autonomous practice as a Psychologist. As a Mental Health Clinician, the activities mentioned above are carried out under the close supervision of a Psychologist.

CSC Pharmacists provide services to patients in federal institutions and aid in the operation of the regional pharmacy. Pharmacists can also assess health conditions as determined by jurisdictional scope of practice. CSC Pharmacists ensure the correct and safe supply of medical products to patients according to professional standards. They are trained in the handling of medication, including:

• compounding
• dispensing
• medication profile maintenance
• drug therapy
• drug interactions
• side effects

Pharmacists collaborate with other members of CSC's interdisciplinary team to review and follow up on pharmaceutical care strategies.
As a Pharmacist, you will:

• provide essential pharmacy services to clients
• order and maintain the stock of pharmaceutical supplies
• provide advice on the selection of optimal, cost-effective drug therapy
• assist in the operation of CSC's regional pharmacies

CSC Pharmacy Technicians assist in the purchase, dispensing and distribution of medications to correctional institutions. They also assist in the maintenance of pharmacy and institutional inventory and related records. Active licensure as a Pharmacy Technician with the Provincial College of Pharmacists/Pharmacy in the location of work is preferred.

Registered Social Workers are a dynamic part of CSC’s interdisciplinary team. They are instrumental in the development, coordination and implementation of various services for patients with complex mental health concerns and substance use challenges. They are knowledgeable of, and provide information about community resources and reintegration processes. They contribute to CSC’s community capacity building through external liaison activities and advocacy for patients with mental health disorders.
As a Social Worker, you will:

• provide comprehensive needs assessments
• conduct individual and group counselling
• deliver programs
• promote education and awareness
• advocate for those impacted by mental health concerns
• provide crisis intervention.
• consult with other professionals about an individual’s criminal risk and health status
• provide recommendations and advice on the development and implementation of mental health assessment, intervention as well as safety and care plans.
• complete discharge care planning

Occupational Therapists in CSC are responsible for the management and delivery of occupational therapy programs and services for a specific caseload of correctional clients. Occupational Therapists take a holistic view to client care. Their duties include:

• triaging service requests and coordinating access to occupational therapy services
• conducting assessments and developing biopsychosocial treatment plans in relation to a patient’s physical abilities and/or mental and cognitive health needs
• preparing occupational therapy treatment assessments, plans and progress reports
• developing, implementing, and evaluating occupational therapy programs and rehabilitation services for both groups and individuals
• engaging in health promotion activities to support patient overall wellbeing
• assessing risk for suicide or self-injury
• providing interventions to preserve life and prevent serious bodily harm
• Let’s Talk – Adele – Occupational Therapist