Anaesthesia Assistant, Women's Perioperative Services (Incentives Available)

IWK Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus up to $5,000

Relocation assistance up to $5,000

Job summary

IWK Health in Halifax invites applications for an Anaesthesia Assistant within the Women’s Anaesthesia, Women’s & Newborn Health program. You will support the Anaesthesiologist in perioperative care across Gynecology/Breast Health, OR/PACU and Birth Unit, including awake intubations, difficult airways and epidural care.

This 24-hour coverage role requires a Diploma/Degree in Respiratory Therapy or a Bachelor’s in Nursing, Anesthesia Assistant Certification, 3+ years of experience, and current

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Respiratory Therapy from a recognized Canadian program or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
• Anesthesia Assistant Certification/Diploma required.
• Minimum three years Anaesthesia Assistant experience.
• Registered with NSCRT or NSNMR if applicable.
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Responsibilities

• Assist Anaesthesiologist in all aspects of anesthesia care.
• Monitor patients and provide perioperative support in Gynecology/Breast Health, OR/PACU, and Birth Unit.
• Assist with awake intubations, difficult airways, emergencies and Epidural care.
• Educate healthcare professionals and introduce new technology.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal relations

Problem-solving

Computer applications

Education

Respiratory Therapy Diploma

Bachelor of Nursing

Anesthesia Assistant Certification/Diploma

Job description

Company: IWK Health

Department/Program: Women's Anaesthesia , Women's & Newborn Health

Location: Halifax

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

Start Date: ASAP

Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare , Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $ 46.1684 - $ 63.1271 /hour

Closing Date: September 25, 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

Successful candidates may be eligible for a signing bonus incentive of up to $5,000 with a recommended return of service period of two (2) years.

Relocation assistance of up to $5,000 may be included for those that qualify. In turn, a Return of Service will be required.

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, Women's Ambulatory, Perioperative Services, Breast Health, and Midwifery, the Anaesthesia Assistant will act as an integral member of the Perioperative team. The Anaesthesia Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Department of Anesthesia and will be responsible for assisting the Anaesthesiologist in all aspects of anesthesia care. The Anaesthesia Assistant will, under the supervision of the Anaesthesiologist, monitor patients and provide perioperative support in the Gynecology/Breast Health, OR/PACU, and Birth Unit. They also provide technical support in preparing for patients undergoing anesthesia care including assisting with awake intubations, difficult airways, emergency situations, and Epidural care. Other related duties include education of various health care professionals and introducing new technology.

Hours of Work

24-hour coverage; 8 hours and 12-hour shifts as per operational requirements.

Your Qualifications

• Successful completion of a Diploma/Degree in Respiratory Therapy from a recognized/accredited Canadian program required OR Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing required (candidates with equivalent experience and education may be considered).
• Anesthesia Assistant Certification/Diploma required.
• Minimum three (3) years Anaesthesia Assistant experience required.
• Registered, or eligible to be registered, with the Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists (NSCRT) OR Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwife Regulator (NSNMR)
• Current successful completion of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (BLS) Program within the last 12 months, or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate.
• Current certification in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
• Demonstrated clinical and technical competence in an adult anaesthesia/respiratory therapy setting required.
• Demonstrated competence in communication, interpersonal relations, problem-solving and computer applications required.

Where there are no qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements for three (3) years' Anaesthesia Assistant experience, consideration may be given to candidates without the required experience.

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 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.