Clinical Psychologist, Subacute Inpatient Unit

IWK Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Clinical Psychologist at IWK Health in Halifax delivers comprehensive assessments and evidence-based treatments for children and youth up to age 19 within an interprofessional team.

Responsibilities include individual, group and family therapies, trauma-informed care, and program evaluation, with emphasis on measurement-based care and collaboration across services.

Qualifications

• Ph.D./PsyD in Clinical Psychology from an accredited program is required.
• Registration with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology in good standing is required.
• Minimum of one year of full-time predoctoral residency in relevant area (clinical child/pediatric mental health).
• Formal training in evidence-based child/adolescent mental health and addiction is required.
• Experience with Measurement Based Care and data collection in practice is preferred.
• Ability to work well on an interdisciplinary team is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessments and evidence-based treatment for children and youth up to age 19.
• Deliver individual, group and family-based therapy, including trauma-informed approaches.
• Collaborate with an interprofessional team and other service providers.
• Implement measurement-based care and participate in program quality improvement.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Verbal & written communication

Time management

Psychoeducation

Data collection/Measurement Based Care

Trauma-informed care

Education

Ph.D./PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology registration

Predoctoral residency (clinical child/pediatric mental health)

Job description

Company : IWK Health

Req ID : 224143

Department/Program : Subacute Uni, Mental Health And Addictions

Location : Halifax

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

Start Date : October 2026

Union Status : NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation : $54.0472 - $70.9795 /hour

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

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, the Clinical Psychologist will work as part of an interprofessional team, providing holistic, comprehensive care to meet the needs of youth up to the age of 19 by providing short-term, high-acuity assessment and stabilization for children and youth. The Clinical Psychologist is responsible for the delivery of assessments and evidence-based treatment to children and youth with Tier-4 mental health and addiction challenges. The Clinical Psychologist provides assessments, case formulation and planning, and individual, group and family-based therapy for children, youth and their families. as part of an interprofessional team, providing holistic, comprehensive care to meet the needs of youth up to the age of 19. Responsibilities will also include evidence-based mental health treatment group evidence –based treatments that are trauma informed and congruent with best practices and family centred care (group, family, individual), consultation to other staff members and to community service providers, and program evaluation. In addition, the psychologist will implement measurement-based care into their practice and participate in quality improvement initiatives in the program of care.

The IWK Health Centre Predoctoral Residency Program in Pediatric and Child-Adolescent Psychology is both APA and CPA approved. All Psychologists at the IWK are expected to actively participate in training residents. Candidates for Psychology positions who have the appropriate credentials may be considered for academic adjunct appointment in an appropriate university department at Dalhousie University.

Applicants must specify the competition number and include a copy of his/her curriculum vitae, pertinent scientific publications. Applicants must be eligible for candidate registration at the doctoral level with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology (NSRP) prior to their anticipated start date.

Hours of Work

7.5 hour shifts, 0830-1630, Monday – Friday; flexibility required.

Your Qualifications

• Ph.D./PsyD in Clinical Psychology from an accredited university program required.
• Registration (in good standing) with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.
• Minimum of one year of full-time predoctoral residency in relevant area (e.g., Clinical Child Psychology, Pediatric Mental Health and Addictions, Pediatric Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology).
• Formal training and clinical experience in evidence-based child/adolescent mental health and addiction required.
• Demonstrated competency in clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance misuse disorders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and provide psycho educational/skills-based training programs.
• Knowledge and experience working with Measurement Based Care platforms and engaging clients in data collection within their practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of an interdisciplinary team required.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple competing workload demands.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient and family centered care and trauma informed care required.
• Experience with hospital-based inpatient mental health programs preferred.
• Demonstrated awareness of IWK Health Centre and community resources.
• 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 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.