JOB SUMMARY
This position will lead the RNAO – Nursing Secretariat initiatives to support retention and recruitment in Pikangikum – alongside additional initiative co-created with the leaders in these communities. Reporting to RNAO and to PHA, this individual will identify, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to prioritize retaining Indigenous talent and recruiting Indigenous nurses into their specific community, provide career counselling and support to nurses and nursing students.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Development & Delivery
- Identify, develop, and deliver programs to retain existing nurses, and recruit newly graduated nurses to the profession, including outreach programs, marketing campaigns, and partnerships with educational institutions
- Collaborate with engaged partners in service and academic institutions to develop new programs and initiatives for retaining and recruiting nurses
- Create and deliver additional programs to collaborate with elementary and/or high school students within Pikangikum to raise awareness about the education and career path of registered nurses (RNs), and nurse practitioners (NPs)
- Provide career counselling and support to nurses in the profession to help them advance in their careers and stay engaged in their work (e.g., reviewing resumes and providing feedback about resumes, providing job search advice, and providing coaching on career development/advancement)
- Provide advice regarding educational opportunities, education grants, prior learning assessment reviews, etc.
- Plan and implement job fairs for nurses in Ontario, including university job fairs
- Coordinate student placement at RNAO, working with other departments and programming opportunities
- Complete environmental scan (interviews/questionnaires) with nurses working in Pikangikum to identify key factors for retention and barriers facing nursing retention in Pikangikum and nursing across the north.
- Identify cultural preparation and readiness for new nursing hires
- Work with community members and Elders to develop Pikangikum specific cultural awareness materials.
Deliverables
- Develop and maintain a community-wide nursing workforce profile and local needs scan
- Develop and implement a community-specific nursing recruitment and retention action plan
- Mobilize and document grassroots supports to fill vacancies and build local capacity, with the aim of decreasing nursing vacancies, systemic nursing vacancies, and nursing agency use
- Plan and facilitate local and regional engagement sessions with employers, nurses, students, Indigenous partners, municipal leaders, and health providers
- Prepare funding proposals for relevant human resources tables and funding opportunities through Ontario Health, the Ministry of Health, the federal First Nations Health Human Resources Table, and Indigenous Services Canada
- Provide direct navigation and referral support for nurses and nursing students to RNAO education, mentorship, fellowship, Best Practice Champions, BPSO, and career-support opportunities
- Provide employer-facing support on recruitment, onboarding, retention, mentorship, and professional development strategies
- Build partnerships with schools, post-secondary institutions, local employers, and health system leaders
- Report regularly on activities, outputs, issues, and emerging opportunities
- Coordinate community-based nursing career promotion and professional development activities
- Develop communications recruitment strategy to reach targeted nurses for recruitment
- Identify, develop, and deliver programs to retain existing nurses, and develop a career pathway for newly graduated nurses to work in Pikangikum, including minimal experience and educational requirements for nurses as well as training programs and related experience
Communications and Marketing
- Arrange monthly meetings between RNAO and Ministry of Health, along with community-based nursing/organizational leaders as required
- Maintain the nursing education opportunities section of the website, keeping it fresh and vibrant and ensuring information is up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive
- Maintain Pikangikum Health Authority Website for nursing recruitment
- Communicate through various channels/ methods with engaged partners (elementary/ high school staff, career counsellors, students, nursing employers and nurses) promoting nursing recruitment and retention
- Develop and deliver in-person and virtual presentations for elementary and high school students about the nursing profession and opportunities within nursing
- Develop and deliver in-person and virtual presentations for nursing employers in key sectors (e.g., hospitals, long-term care, home care) regarding nursing retention strategies in the workplace
- Develop and implement strategies to disseminate information on recruitment and retention with engaged partners and the public
- Work with other departments to design and implement marketing materials (print and digital) for the nursing recruitment and retention program
Program Evaluation & Reporting
- Evaluate all new and ongoing initiatives yearly
- Provide monthly analytical reports on program progress using an evidence-based approach
- Evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategy and programs and make recommendations for improvements
General
- Participate in the activities of the Membership & Services Department
- Ensure adherence with OCAP© principles
- Work within Pikangikum community
- Preferably communicate with teams in Anishnaabek
- Other duties as assigned
NOTES
This post is for a consultancy contract (expected end date: March 31, 2027) for a specific program with the potential to make a lasting difference in Ontario’s healthcare landscape.
Please be advised: RNAO does not use AI-assisted tools to support the selection process. Human reviewers make all final hiring decisions.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis till Octobr 30, 2026 as the closing date. To ensure your application is considered, we encourage you to submit it as soon as possible.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants who are interviewed will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their final interview.
RNAO is committed to providing an equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment, where all employees feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates who can help us build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and in which we live.
Accommodations under the Ontario Human Rights Code are available to all candidates during the recruitment process and throughout employment, please emailing hr@rnao.ca (mailto: hr@rnao.ca) if you require assistance.