School Health Partnership Nurse, Primary Health

Company : IWK Health 

Req ID: 192499 
Department/Program: Primary Health, Healthy Populations & Provincial Initiatives 
Location: Halifax   
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) for one year  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: February 4, 2025
Union Status: NSNU Nursing, Nursing Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $41.5833 - $52.9001 /hour
Closing Date: December 1, 2024 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

The School Health Partnership nurse works directly with school administrators, teachers, and school staff, students, parents and other health system partners to establish plans of care for school-based health services. Based on a broad understanding of both health and education systems, the SHP role addresses barriers and challenges to maximize student participation in academic programs and other school-related activities. The SHP nurse supports teachers and education assistants (EAs) to provide care that is consistent with the care provided by parents in the home.  

This position requires broad-based knowledge of growth and development as it pertains to school age children and youth, and demonstrated application of this knowledge to school-based practice. The position scope may include students with developmental, cognitive and/or physical needs. 

This position requires professional and clinical judgment and initiative, respecting the mission, vision and values of both Health and Education sectors. The Regional Education Center Coordinator of Student Services (education) provides operational oversight. The performance, professional practice and standards of care and operational administration of the SHP role will be overseen by the Manager, Primary Health.

Hours of Work

7.5 hour days; 

Your Qualifications

• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing required (candidates with commensurate experience and education will be considered).
• Master's degree in a health-related profession an asset.
• Licensed, or eligible to be licensed, with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) required
• Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support Level (BLS) Program within the last 12 months, or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate, required.
• Minimum three years (3), paediatric experience essential, preferably in a variety of settings
• Broad knowledge of Nova Scotia health and education systems
• Abilities for undertaking literature searches for best practices and integrating this information in a school-based plan of care
• Ability to describe and demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy and principles of patient and family centered-care, adult education, chronic disease management and diversity
• Demonstrated abilities for navigating complex systems, critical thinking, problem solving, clinical judgement and decision making
• Understanding the concept of inclusion as it pertains to the NS education system
• Valid Nova Scotia driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Professional Suite and TieNet (Education); Meditech
• Demonstrated time management and organizational abilities to manage workload within school-mandated timelines
• Independent practice within defined scope, understanding of issues that require help from Coordinator of Student Services and/or health system manager
• Leadership skills as defined by the LEADS framework
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
• Commitment to occupational health and safety
• Travel required
• Demonstrated good attendance in current and past employment
• Exemplary work history as demonstrated in current and past employment
• Physical capabilities to perform the duties of the position

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Nursing  bargaining  unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An  offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.