Description
Job Title: Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) – Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Team
Location: In Person (Stittsville / Kanata / Ottawa, ON)
Clinic: Focus Forward Health
Type: Casual Independent Contractor
Compensation: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
About Us
Focus Forward Health is a leading multidisciplinary mental health clinic in Ottawa with a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and compassionate care. We’ve expanded our clinical services to include Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), integrating traditional talk therapy with emerging psychedelic medicine to support clients with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, trauma, and burnout.
About the Role
We are seeking a compassionate, skilled, and detail-oriented Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to be a cornerstone of our Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) medical team.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of mental health care, applying your core nursing skills in an innovative, evidence-based setting. As the RPN, you will be the primary medical support for clients during their KAP sessions, ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being.
You will work collaboratively with our clinical director, psychotherapists, and the wider clinical team to deliver a safe, supportive, and transformative client experience.
Full training and certification in KAP is provided—no prior psychedelic therapy experience is required. Prior experience with ketamine administration is an asset.
Key Nursing Responsibilities
* Client Safety & Monitoring: Conduct pre-session medical checks, including vital signs. Monitor client well-being and vitals (e.g., heart rate, BP, O2 saturation) throughout the ketamine session and during the immediate recovery period.
* Medication Management: Prepare and administer ketamine (via IN spray or other routes as directed by the Medical Director) in accordance with CNO standards and clinic protocols.
* Client-Centred Support: Provide compassionate, trauma-informed nursing support and reassurance to clients during their sessions. Help maintain a calm, quiet, and safe environment.
* Medical Response: Act as the first medical responder to manage any adverse reactions, side effects, or client discomfort, escalating to the on-site Medical Director as needed.
* Clinical Documentation: Maintain precise and timely clinical charting of all medical observations, medication administration, and client responses in the electronic medical record.
* Team Collaboration: Work closely with the multidisciplinary team (psychotherapists, MDs) to ensure seamless client care, including pre-session prep and post-session hand-off to the client's therapist.
* Clinic Preparedness: Assist with managing the inventory of medical supplies, setting up treatment rooms, and upholding all infection control and safety standards.
Qualifications & Attributes
* Licensure: Registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as a Registered Practical Nurse.
* Experience: Minimum 2 years of clinical nursing experience. Experience in mental health, acute care, post-operative, community, or clinic nursing is a strong asset. (Qualified New Grads encouraged to apply)
* Clinical Skills: Strong clinical assessment, patient monitoring, and documentation skills.
* Medication Skills: Proficiency and confidence in administering medications.
* Personal Attributes: Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must be calm, grounded, and able to provide non-anxious reassurance to clients.
* Mindset: A strong interest in mental health and innovative treatments.
* Core Values: A deep commitment to compassionate, client-centred, inclusive, and stigma-free care.
What We Offer
* True Scheduling Flexibility: This is a key feature of the role. We build your part-time or full-time schedule based on the availabilities you provide, making it ideal for balancing other professional or personal commitments.
* Full Scope Nursing & Growth: We are actively expanding our nursing-led services. You will have the unique opportunity to help shape this new program and will be supported to work to your full scope of practice.
* Competitive Compensation: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour.
* Comprehensive Paid KAP Training: You will receive full training and certification to become a specialist in this emerging field.
* A Collaborative Team: Work as a respected member of a multidisciplinary team that includes psychotherapists, psychologists, a clinical director, RPNs, personal trainers, and nutritionists.
* Beautiful Environment: Work in our modern, beautifully designed clinic spaces in Stittsville and Hazeldean.
* Career Opportunity: Be part of an exciting and rapidly growing area of mental health care in Canada, making a profound difference in clients' lives.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to info@focusforward.health
Subject line: RPN – KAP Clinic Ottawa