Employment, training and career development

Psychiatric Nurse

This employment opportunity is open to all applicants.

The Government of Nunavut was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People and recent graduates in 2023. With one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in Canada, Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory, committed to becoming an even better place for future generations.  As a government, we are strengthening our unique model of governance - one that integrates Inuit societal values, promotes use of the Inuktut language, achieves a representative public service, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges and opportunities for training and career advancement.

Under the direction of the Supervisor Interdisciplinary practice or designate, the incumbent may work as the only professional registered practitioner in the community to deliver specialized services to individuals with mental illness and/or problems, concurrent disorders, addictions, and suicide ideations/attempts and acts as a point of contact for physicians, locally, territorially, and out of territory, for assessments and patient critical care information.

The incumbent takes the lead in providing clinical direction and front-line service in the community. The Nurse would be responsible for care plan development, case management, conferencing, initial and ongoing assessments, medication administration and monitoring, crisis intervention and provides leadership and mentoring to team members.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job are usually obtained through an undergraduate degree in Nursing with experience in mental health, or an undergraduate degree in Psychiatric Nursing and a minimum of 3 years of experience as a psychiatric nurse.

Candidates must be eligible to register prior to start date with the College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CANNN) with annual re-certification.Five years of psychiatric nursing is considered an asset. A valid driver’s license is required.

This is a Highly Sensitive Position and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, along with a clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required.

Please note that COVID-19 vaccination is a mandatory condition of employment. Submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination with your application.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any of the official languages of Nunavut. Fluency in more than one of Nunavut’s official languages would be considered an asset. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also considered assets.

Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

For full-time, permanent nurses, recruitment bonuses include: $5,000 on start date, $5,000 at 18 months of service and $10,000 at 30 months of service. Additional premiums include a $9,000 Annual Frontline Allowance and a $375 Monthly Retention Bonus of $4,500 per year.

A Tier One allowance of $10/per hour premium is available to the following full-time, permanent, and job share employees: Supervisor Health Programs, Community Health Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Consultant and Midwife. Positions eligible for this premium are located in the communities of Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak, Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Sanirajak, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute Bay. 

A Tier Two allowance of $15/per hour premium is available to the following full-time, permanent, and job share employees: Supervisor Health Programs, Community Health Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Consultant and Midwife. Positions eligible for this premium are located in the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Gjoa Haven, Grise Fiord, Igloolik, Kinngait, Kugluktuk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Sanikiluaq, Whale Cove.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

If you are interested in applying for this job, please email your cover letter and resume to @email. Please include the REFERENCE # in the subject line of your email.

  • The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; therefore, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as being enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
  • Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for your application to be considered. 
  • Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates from being considered. An assessment of the criminal record will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This is only a requirement for positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check. 
  • Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
  • Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
  • The onus is on candidates in receipt of foreign post-secondary education credentials to have their foreign credentials assessed through a recognized Canadian education institution.  Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application. 

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