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Working in long-term care

Looking for a career in long-term care? We hire certified health care professionals that share our passion for providing exceptional resident-centered care. Help us make a difference in the lives of our residents.

Start your career at Niagara Region

The Supervised Practice Experience Program is for registered practical nurses, registered nurses and internationally educated nurses. Through a supervised practice experience in Ontario, you'll demonstrate your nursing knowledge, skills, judgement and language proficiency.

The program helps fast-track internationally educated nurses into Canadian health care. It also supports Niagara Region's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts — nurses from other countries bring a wealth of experience and culture to our long-term care homes.

As an intern, you'll provide professional nursing care to our residents and offer direction and support to personal support workers in our homes. You'll work 37.5 hours per week, completing 140 hours under the supervision of a preceptor.

Education requirements
  • For a registered practical nurse internship, you need a practical nurse program diploma with medication certificate
  • For a registered nurse internship, you need a degree in nursing

Employment opportunities

Niagara Region has opportunities that allow you to make a difference in your community. Learn about some of the rewarding opportunities you'll find in our homes.

Help the cook in prepare, cook and portion meals and snacks in compliance with therapeutic diet needs and restrictions. With the use of recipes and menus, perform general and specialized cooking and maintain high standards of quality production that meet the nutritional needs of the residents.

Education requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Completion of an Institutional Cook (415D) or Cook (415A) certification program, Chef Training, Culinary Management, Food and Nutrition Management diploma, degree or certificate, or an equivalent combination of education and / or experience as permitted by the applicable legislation / act
    • If currently enrolled in an accepted program, completion within the timeframe prescribed by legislation / act
  • A current Safe Food Handling Certificate as required by legislation / act

Prepare, cook and portion resident meals and snacks in compliance with therapeutic diet needs and restrictions. With the use of recipes and menus, perform general and specialized cooking and maintain high standards of quality production that meet the nutritional needs of the residents.

Education requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Completion of an Institutional Cook (415D) or Cook (415A) certification program, Chef Training, Culinary Management, Food and Nutrition Management diploma, degree or certificate, or an equivalent combination of education and / or experience as permitted by the applicable legislation / act
  • A current Safe Food Handling Certificate as required by legislation / act
  • Red Seal certification is an asset, but not required

Perform housekeeping and laundry procedures as directed by management to ensure a safe and clean environment for residents, staff and visitors of our long-term care homes.

Education requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent

Work with the cooks and assistant cooks to provide resident-focused food services in the homes. Tasks include preparation of snacks and meals for residents, supporting meal service, managing food and food supply inventory, and other related duties required for compliance and the efficient operation of the home.

Education requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Completion of a food service worker program, a food and nutrition management diploma or degree, assistant cook, cook or institutional cook certification program
    • If currently enrolled in an accepted program, completion within the timeframe prescribed by the legislation / act
  • An equivalent combination of education and / or experience as permitted by the applicable legislation / act
  • A current Safe Food Handling Certificate as required by legislation / act

In this role, you will implement and maintain an effective program to reduce acute care admissions to the hospital from the long-term care homes. Contribute to the plan of care with an emphasis on wellness and disease prevention, and develop programs that reflect the community's needs.

Education requirements

  • Degree in nursing
  • Completion of a nurse practitioner program from a recognized university
  • Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario

The Nursing Graduate Guarantee program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

It provides new registered practical nurses and registered nurses who are within 12 months of registering with the College of Nurses of Ontario with a temporary full-time employment opportunity. This improves the transition into practice.

This is also a great opportunity for internationally educated nurses who have completed their nursing education outside of Canada.

Education requirements

  • For a registered practical nurse, you need a practical nurse program diploma with medication certificate
  • For a registered nurse, you need a degree in nursing
  • For an internationally educated nurse, you need to have completed your registered practical nursing education outside of Canada

Help with the care of residents in our homes under the supervision of the registered nursing staff. You will support residents with their activities of daily living, and monitor and report any signs and symptoms of change in a resident to the registered staff.

Education requirements

  • Accredited Personal Support Worker Certificate or minimum one year of successful completion of a recognized registered practical nurse or registered nurse program, if currently enrolled; or
  • Equivalent education as permitted by the applicable legislation / act; or
  • An international nursing degree or diploma

Plan, coordinate, implement, promote and evaluate a diversified program of resident-focused recreation activities for residents based on their abilities, strengths, needs, interests and former lifestyles.

Education requirements

  • Diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies or therapeutic recreation
  • Valid First Aid Certificate

Work with registered therapists to provide resident-focused rehabilitation services. Assist with the Assistive Devices Program applications and maintain mobility devices and adaptive aids. Implement prescribed treatment plans, and document and evaluate residents' identified therapy needs.

Education requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • College diploma from an approved occupational therapy assistant / physiotherapy assistant
  • Consideration will be given to a completed university degree in kinesiology with an emphasis on therapeutic techniques and equipment

Work with registered practical nurses and personal support workers to provide professional nursing care, and support and guidance to our residents and their families. Offer support and direction to the team, and work with other professionals and community health agencies to ensure they are providing high quality, resident-centered care.

Education requirements

  • Certificate from an approved college or a diploma from an approved university in a recognized registered nursing program
  • Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario

Monthly bonus eligibility

You may be eligible for a special education ongoing monthly bonus if you have completed one or more of the following:

  • Gerontology Certificate
  • Dementia Care Certificate
  • Nursing Unit Administration Certificate

Provide professional nursing care to our residents and offer direction and support to personal support workers in our homes. Work closely with our residents and their families to provide compassionate care.

Education requirements

  • Licensed registered practical nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario

Provide support services for residents and their families in the long-term care homes. Complete psychosocial assessments, plan and implement appropriate service strategies and evaluate effectiveness.

Education requirements

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in social work
  • Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services

Apply for a job in Seniors Services

Discover career opportunities in Seniors Services, including our long-term care homes and seniors community programs.

Jobs in Seniors Services

Get job ready

If you're offered a job in long-term care, there are Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requirements all new hires must complete before working in a home:

  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Tuberculosis (TB) screening
  • Secondary and post-secondary education

Video: Start your career

Caregiver pushing a man in a wheelchair indoors

Tuberculosis screening

For the safety and well-being of our long-term care residents, everyone working in a Niagara Region long-term care home must complete and pass screening for tuberculosis (TB) before starting work.

TB screening is a mandatory requirement from the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

You don't need any new testing if you have documented negative results from any one of the following, completed within 12 months of your start date:

  • A two-step tuberculin skin test (TST)
  • A one-step TST, along with documentation of a previous two-step TST
  • An interferon gamma release assay blood test
  • A chest x-ray

If you don't have any of these, follow the process below for getting a TB skin test.

A TB skin test (also called a Mantoux TST) is done in two parts and requires four visits. Download and print the TB testing form (PDF) and bring it to each appointment. If you have an offer of employment, you can attend a Niagara Region TB clinic, or book all four appointments with your health care provider or a walk-in clinic.

1. First test administered
A small amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin, usually in the forearm. A small, pale bump will form at the site.
2. Results reviewed 48 to 72 hours later
A health care provider measures the result and documents whether it's positive or negative.
3 Second test administered
This can be seven to 28 days after the first test.
4. Results reviewed 48 to 72 hours later
A health care provider measures and documents the second result.

When you're done: submit your completed form to the designated location or person listed in your employment paperwork. Keep a copy for your records.

Example booking schedule

Appointment When Example date
One As soon as possible April 4
Two 48 to 72 hours after appointment one April 6
Three Seven to 28 days after appointment one April 15
Four 48 to 72 hours after appointment three April 17

Book an appointment as soon as possible with your health care provider or a walk-in clinic, or attend the walk-in Niagara Region Seniors Services TB testing clinic. Booking early ensures you have enough time to complete both tests (if required) before your documentation deadline.

Niagara Region Seniors Services TB testing clinic: Long-term care employees who will be working for a Niagara Region-operated home can attend this free clinic. Confirmation of employment is required. Do not attend the clinic if you are not employed by a Niagara Region-operated long-term care home.

If you test positive, you'll be referred to Niagara Region Public Health for further follow-up. You'll need a chest x-ray confirming you do not have active tuberculosis, completed after the positive test result.