Lab-Based Genetic Counsellor

Req ID:
Department/Program: Clinical Genomics, Clinical Care & Chief Nursing Executive 
Location: Halifax   
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until 07/05/2027  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: 01/05/2026
Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $ $ /hour
Closing Date: December 16, Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

This is not a designated position, however, preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. Please self-identify on your application.

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.

Genetic counsellors are health professionals with specific training in the field of genetics requiring a Master of Science degree in genetic counselling. With their in-depth training, genetic counsellors are integral members of the Precision Medicine team and contribute significantly to high quality genetic service delivery across laboratory and clinical settings. Genetic counsellors also serve as educators, patient advocates, and a resource with genetic expertise for health professionals.

This position is for a lab based Genetic Counsellor working in the Clinical Genomics Lab -the provider of comprehensive genetics diagnostic testing services in the Maritime Provinces - as part of the Precision Medicine program at IWK Health. The successful candidate will facilitate the ordering of genetic testing, support the development and implementation of new or improved testing services, contribute to variant assessment and the interpretation and communication of genetic test results, and serve as a key liaison between the diagnostic laboratory and clinical teams.

Monday to Friday, 7.5 hour shifts

• Master's Degree in Genetic Counselling, and certification (or eligible for certification) by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and/or the American Board of Genetic Counselling required.
• Experience working in a Clinical Laboratory Environment preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working independently required, including the ability to review genetic test requests for clinical appropriateness, interpret genomic findings within established guidelines, and manage multiple lab-based responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team required, working collaboratively with laboratory scientists, genomic specialists, clinicians, and IT partners to support accurate and timely genetic testing workflows.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills required, including strong scientific writing abilities and the capacity to prepare clear, concise documentation for laboratory and clinical audiences.
• Experience with classification of genetic variants following published guidelines an asset.
• Experience supporting development of testing algorithms, laboratory policies, quality improvement activities, or research initiatives is considered an asset.
• Competencies in other languages 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 Management/Non Union  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.