Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health·Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct patient care within the Family Newborn Care Unit as part of an interdisciplinary team. They are responsible for assessing patients, implementing nursing care plans, and collaborating with Registered Nurses and physicians to meet patient needs.
Click here to apply as an internal applicant.
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, Family Newborn Care Unit, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of an interdisciplinary care team, collaborating on the delivery of care to meet the needs of patients/families.
The LPN is responsible and accountable to the public for his/her own practice according to the standards defined by the Nova Scotia College of Nursing, Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics and Standards, and policies and procedures of IWK Health.
The LPN provides care independently to patients/families who have: well defined and established care needs; coping mechanisms and supports systems in place; well-controlled or managed health conditions; little fluctuation in condition over time; obvious signs and symptoms; predictable, localized and manageable responses; predictable outcomes; and predictable changes in health condition.
The LPN would provide care, under the guidance and direction, and in collaboration and consultation, with a Registered Nurse (RN) and/or physician and /or other appropriate health care provider when: care needs are not well defined or established or changing; coping mechanisms and supports are unknown, not functioning or not in place; health condition not well controlled or managed; frequent monitoring and reassessment required; fluctuating assessment; unpredictable outcomes; and unpredictable changes in health condition.
The LPN applies practical nursing theory in the assessment of patients, collaboration in the development of the nursing care plan, implementation of the care plan and ongoing evaluation of the patient.
The LPN works in consultation with RN/LPN colleagues and other members of the interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of more complex patients/clients.
In accepting care the LPN considers: patient/client factors, nurse factors such as competence, environmental factors, IWK Health policies and job description.Hours of Work 11.25-hour rotating shifts (0700-1900, 1900-0700)Your Qualifications
Graduate from an approved Practical Nurse Diploma Program required; 2 year diploma preferred.
Licensed, or eligible to be licensed, with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) required.
Successful completion of pharmacology and health assessment courses required.
Recent clinical experience that includes administration of medication and health assessments is required Recent experience in mother-baby nursing preferred.
NRP Certification an asset.
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.
Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team and to request and accept direction, as required, is essential.
Demonstrated critical thinking, within scope of practice, including: clinical judgment, problem solving skills and strong decision making ability is essential.
Demonstrated professional manner required, along with effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Must have demonstrated initiative, effective time management and organizational skills.
Demonstrated commitment to professional development and skills.
Competency in other languages considered an asset.
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.
Candidates must hold a Practical Nurse Diploma and be licensed or eligible for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing. Recent clinical experience in medication administration and health assessments is required, along with current BLS certification.
Market context
Nursing support roles in Nova Scotia are often in steady demand because care settings need reliable coverage across shifts and locations. These roles are competitive when employers look for a Canadian PSW, DSW, or Health Care Aid certificate, or a nursing student or graduate, plus current Vulnerable Sector Police check, BLS/CPR, and up-to-date vaccinations. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your documents and certifications before applying.
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