Clinical Psychologist, Youth Forensic Services

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Req ID:
Department/Program: Forensic Ambulatory , Mental Health And Addictions
Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT ( 100% FTE) x 1 position(s)

Start Date: April 2024
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare , Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $ - $ /hour
Closing Date : Open until Filled

Successful external applicants will be eligible to receive a one-time Signing Bonus of $7000. In turn, a Return of Service will be required for a (2) two-year period.

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 IWK is a leading pediatric university teaching centre in Canada, providing regional tertiary-level health care to the Maritimes. The Discipline of Psychology is strong and vibrant at IWK Health Centre, with over 60 psychologists who provide services in both Child Health and Mental Health & Addictions programs. Research and teaching opportunities exist for those who have the interest and skill set. As one of the members of Professional Practice Group in Psychology, the successful candidate will have opportunities to work collaboratively on projects and share experiences with other psychologists in different fields of practice. The IWK Health Centre Predoctoral Residency Program in Pediatric and Child-Adolescent Psychology is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. The successful candidate will be expected to actively participate in training psychology practicum student and predoctoral residents. Candidates with appropriate credentials may be considered for academic adjunct appointments in an appropriate university department at Dalhousie University. For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, contact

The Provincial Youth Forensic Services team, a service operated under the Mental Health and Addictions Program at the IWK Health Centre, has a position for a doctoral level Clinical Psychologist. The mission of Provincial Youth Forensic Service is to provide evidence-based best practice Health and Mental Health Services to youth and families involved with Correctional Services. The Clinical Psychologist will work across the program based on need. Services include Youth Court Assessment, Assessment for Sexual Offenders, Intervention: Community and Facility. As well as risk assessments for the Criminal Code Review Board. The assessment report provides the court with rehabilitative recommendations for sentencing purposes and recommendations around risk management. These assessments require the ability to work within deadlines and to work effectively with other members of the Youth Forensics team to meet standards for quality control. Intervention work may involve one to one or group treatment with youth offenders and/or family.

Applicants must specify the competition number and include a copy of his/her curriculum vitae including 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.

75 hours bi-weekly, 7.5 hour shifts. Monday - Friday, occasional overnight Provincial travel required.

• Ph. D / PsyD Degree in Clinical Psychology from an accredited university program.
• Completion of an APA or CPA Accredited Predoctoral Internship in Psychology required.
• Registered, or eligible to be registered, with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.
• Minimum two (2) years of formal training and clinical experience in adolescent and young adult mental health (ages
• Formal training and clinical experience in assessing risk for sexual and violent recidivism
• Demonstrated ability to treat a youth forensic population.
• Demonstrated ability to consult with professional and para-professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and formulate treatment protocols for a wide range of adolescent mental health problems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively consult with other health, social service and education agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the area of ecological intervention preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of an interdisciplinary team required.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to participate in the clinical training activities of the Psychology Discipline.
• Education, experience, or training in the related sub-specialty area preferred.
• Competencies in other languages an asset.

T hank 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.

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

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