Hamilton Health Sciences·Hamilton, Ontario
The Clinical Extern provides unregulated care in inpatient and outpatient units, supporting high-quality patient and family experiences. Key duties include performing vital signs assessments, promoting safety through risk assessments, and assisting with activities of daily living.
The Clinical Extern is an integral member of the healthcare team, working as an unregulated care provider in the inpatient and outpatient care units at HHS. As part of the interprofessional healthcare team, the Clinical Extern will support high quality care for patients and families, while demonstrating a commitment to excellence in supporting the patient and family experience. Clinical Externs are involved in delivering care to our patients, which includes vital signs assessment, promoting patient safety through falls risk and skin assessments, help with activities of daily living, and other interventions within the scope of practice that are assigned or delegated by regulated staff. During their externship, Clinical Externs report directly to a clinical manager and will receive mentorship, guidance, support and indirect supervision from a Clinical Extern Coordinator. The Clinical Extern position is open to Nursing Students enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an approved baccalaureate of nursing program, or in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semester of the practical nursing program with the successful completion of one in-person clinical placement. The Clinical Extern Program is also open to IENs (Internationally Educated Nurses) who have initiated registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), have received a CNO letter of direction and meet one of the following:
are in any year of study in a CNO approved program, such as a BScN-IEN program, PN-IEN program, or
are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet the CNO requirements for registration (e.g. Standards of Practice for nursing, Entry-to-Practice Competencies, Evidence of Safe Practice, Evidence of English Language Proficiency) or
have completed their educational requirements (e.g. BScN-IEN/PN-IEN program, or micro-credentialing) and are waiting to write their registration exam Externs will be hired on a part-time temporary basis until June 30, 2027
1. Must be enrolled in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an approved baccalaureate nursing program, or the 2nd, 3rd, 4th semester of the practical nursing program with completion of 1 in person clinical placement. Preference will be given to candidates from Mohawk College, McMaster University and Conestoga College. OR Internationally Educated Nurses who have initiated registration with the CNO, have received a letter of direction and meet one of the following:
are in any year of study in a CNO approved program (ie. BScN-IEN or PN-IEN program)
are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet CNO requirements for registration
have completed educational requirements and are waiting to write their registration exam 2. Demonstrated evidence of excellent academic standing 3. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team 4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment 5. Demonstrated strong communication and organizational skills 6. Demonstrated infection prevention and control practices 7. Effective interpersonal and communication skills 8. Demonstrated successful completion of a recent clinical placement.
Candidates must be nursing students in their 2nd-4th year of a baccalaureate or practical nursing program, or Internationally Educated Nurses with CNO registration initiation. Evidence of strong academic standing, successful clinical placement completion, and effective communication skills is required.
Market context
Ontario nursing roles are often driven by ongoing staffing needs across hospitals, long-term care, community care, and emergency settings. Competition is usually strongest for candidates who already hold the required registration, have at least 18 months of experience, and bring current CPR/BLS, with ACLS and CTAS adding value for emergency postings. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, then confirm your credentials and tailor your application to the specific unit or setting.