Genetic Counsellor, Maritime Medical Genetics

Req ID:
Department/Program: Medical Genetics, Clinical Care & Chief Nursing Executive 
Location: Halifax  
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE)  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: March 02, 2026
Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $ $ /hour
Closing Date: November 27, 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.  Genetic counsellors provide information, support and counselling to individuals and families who have genetic disorders or birth defects or who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. As a result of their in-depth training, genetic counsellors are an integral part of the medical genetics team. They greatly enhance clinical genetic service delivery in both the team setting and as independent practitioners of healthcare. Genetic counsellors also serve as educators, patient advocates, and genetic expertise resources for health professionals.  

The Maritime Medical Genetics Service at IWK Health is the only provider of comprehensive genetics service in the Maritime Provinces.  The Genetic Counsellor provides care at the IWK, as well as virtual care to outlying regions and outreach clinics to PEI, and NB. Our patient population includes prenatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations.  This temporary position will involve mainly adult and pediatric general genetics service but could include other areas of practice over time depending on the clinical needs of the service.

Monday to Friday, 7.5 hour shifts

• Masters 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 similar position preferred.
• Must be highly motivated.
• Demonstrated experience working independently required.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team required.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills required.
• 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.