Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Newborn Care Unit

Job Description

Overview

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Newborn Care Unit

Join to apply for the Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Newborn Care Unit role at IWK Health.

Location: Halifax, Multi-Site

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT short-assignment (100% FTE) ending June 30, 2026, 1 position.

Start Date: October 13, 2025

Union Status: NSNU Nursing, Nursing Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $47.4865 – $58.6442 per hour

Closing Date: September 13, 2025 (Applications accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is an 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 recognize talent and celebrate successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually, align work to our values, and offer enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of the Family Newborn Care Unit, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will join fellow CNSs in the Women’s and Newborn Health Program as an expert registered nurse who promotes excellent care and advances nursing practice throughout the program.

Responsibilities

• Providing leadership in nursing and working collaboratively in an interprofessional team environment.
• Integrating the skills and knowledge of advanced practice nursing in a collaborative practice setting, leading and mentoring team members in evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
• Working in partnership with professional nurses, other healthcare professionals and community partners to provide holistic patient/family-centred care with an emphasis on the care of vulnerable families.
• Advance nursing practice through knowledge translation.
• Functioning as a change agent by challenging current practices and creating an environment of independence and autonomy.

The successful candidate will be eligible for joint appointment with the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday; 37.5 hours weekly.

Your Qualifications

• Masters of Nursing required (Master’s degree in progress may be considered).
• Currently registered, or eligible to be registered with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) required.
• IBCLC, or willingness to complete within two years, required.
• Advanced theoretical knowledge and extensive clinical expertise in perinatal nursing required.
• Minimum five years recent clinical experience in perinatal nursing required. Three years recent clinical experience in perinatal nursing plus completion of a Master’s degree may be considered.
• Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support (BLS) within the last 12 months, or BLS Renewal
• Certification in/or plans to obtain CNA Certification in Perinatal Nursing considered an asset.
• Fetal Health Surveillance certification preferred.
• Demonstrated advanced theoretical knowledge in clinical practice, consultation, leadership, education, and research; ability to translate and apply evidence.
• Demonstrated accomplishments as a nurse leader, facilitator, innovator, role model, advocate, coach and change agent.
• Advanced communication skills (verbal and written) required; ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
• Understanding of social determinants of health and their impact on childbearing families; ability to coordinate care of vulnerable families within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to advancing nursing practice and to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives; ability to integrate creativity and innovation into practice.
• Ability to work independently and with interprofessional teams; skills in leading and facilitating groups; ongoing commitment to self-development.
• Competencies in other languages are an asset.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If invited to participate in an assessment process, you have the right to request accommodation. 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. Applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status should seek clarification regarding seniority, benefits and vacation entitlement 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.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Temporary/Contract

Job function

• Health Care Provider
• Industries: Hospitals and Health Care

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