The Clinical Psychologist provides specialized assessments and evidence-based treatments for children and youth with Tier-4 mental health and addiction challenges. Responsibilities include case formulation, individual and family therapy, and collaborating within an interprofessional outreach team.
Requirements summary
Requires a Ph.D. or PsyD in Clinical Psychology and registration with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. Candidates must have formal clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health and a commitment to trauma-informed care.
July 10, 2026 (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 Reporting to the Manager, the Clinical Psychologist will work in collaboration with a very diverse interprofessional team providing very specialized and intensive interventions to children and youth in their home communities. Intensive outreach provides interventions services for children under 12yo and youth from 13 up to 19you across Nova Scotia. The Clinical Psychologist is responsible for the delivery of assessments and evidence-based treatment to children and youth with Tier-4 mental health and addiction challenges. The Clinical Psychologist provides assessments, case formulation and planning, and individual, group and family-based therapy for children, youth and their families. as part of an interdisciplinary team, providing holistic, comprehensive care to meet the needs of youth up to the age of 19. Responsibilities will also include evidence-based mental health treatment group evidence –based treatments that are trauma informed and congruent with best practices and family centred care (group, family, individual), consultation to other staff members and to community service providers, and program evaluation. The IWK Health Centre Predoctoral Residency Program in Pediatric and Child-Adolescent Psychology is both APA and CPA approved. All Psychologists at the IWK are expected to actively participate in training residents. Candidates for Psychology positions who have the appropriate credentials may be considered for academic adjunct appointment in an appropriate university department at Dalhousie University. Applicants must specify the competition number and include a copy of his/her curriculum vitae, pertinent scientific publications. Applicants must be eligible for candidate registration at the doctoral level with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP) prior to their anticipated start date. Please note that this position will support Children’s Intensive Services until the Intensive Outreach team becomes operational.Hours of Work 7.5 hour shifts, 0830-1630, Monday – Friday; flexibility required.Your Qualifications
Benefits
Enhanced Benefits
Wellness Programs
Training and Mentorship Opportunities
Ph.D./PsyD in Clinical Psychology from an accredited university program required.
Registration with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.
Formal training and clinical experience in child/adolescent mental health required.
Demonstrated experience in clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.
Demonstrated ability to develop and provide psycho educational/skills-based training programs.
Demonstrated ability to work well as part of an interdisciplinary team required.
Demonstrated organizational, time management and coordination skills.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple competing workload demands.
Excellent critical thinking, communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills required.
Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrated commitment to patient and family centered care and trauma informed care required.
Experience with hospital-based inpatient mental health programs preferred.
Demonstrated awareness of IWK Health Centre and community resources.
Competencies in other languages an assetThank 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 Healthcare 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.
Behavioral-health positions in Nova Scotia often reflect steady demand in child and adolescent services, especially where trauma-informed care and specialized assessment skills are needed. These roles are competitive because employers typically look for a Ph.D. or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, registration with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology, and direct clinical experience with younger patients. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your registration status and prepare examples of trauma-informed work before applying.
