Occupational Health Nurse

Nova Scotia Health Authority; Halifax; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and life insurance

Defined benefit pension

Job summary

Nova Scotia Health Authority is seeking an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) in the Central Zone to support health, safety and wellness initiatives across the region. You will focus on preventing work-related injuries and illnesses and promoting healthy lifestyles among staff.

The OHN will conduct health screenings, provide education, manage immunization programs, and perform surveillance for infectious diseases, collaborating with workers, managers, unions and health professionals.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Nursing.
• Two years’ experience in Occupational Health Nursing preferred.
• Current NSNMR registration.
• Diploma or certificate in Occupational Health Nursing or Public/Community Health Nursing preferred.
• COHN-C certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-placement health screenings.
• Provide health education and injury prevention strategies.
• Lead health promotion programs (e.g., annual influenza immunization).
• Provide health surveillance and follow-up for communicable diseases and exposures.

Skills

Occupational health nursing

Nursing assessment

Education

Post-secondary degree in Nursing

Diploma or certificate in Occupational Health Nursing or Public/Community Health Nursing

Registered with NSNMR

COHN-C certification (preferred)

Job description

Location: Central Zone, Halifax Infirmary Robie Street Entrance - QEII

Department: PS CZ Health & Safety

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1

Union: NSGEU Nursing Position

Posting Closing Date: 3-Sep-26

About the Opportunity

The Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) supports a health, safety and wellness service within the zone; including prevention and management of occupational and non-occupational injuries/ illnesses. The main objective is to provide support to employees and managers to minimize the effects of work and non-work-related illness and injury and to promote a healthy lifestyle with the focus of enhancing existing levels of health, productivity and well-being.

The OHN uses current research and the nursing process to provide ethical, confidential nursing care to workers and worker groups within legal and professional parameters. Working in collaboration with the worker/worker group, employer, union, health professionals, and others, the OHN assists clients to achieve their health goals through informed, decision-making about health issues.

Working independently, as well as in collaboration with others, the OHN advocates for workers and worker groups to promote health and reduce risk and injury in a safe and healthy work environment.

The OHN is responsible for conducting pre-placement health screenings; providing health education and injury prevention strategies; providing health promotion programs such as the annual Influenza immunization campaign; conducting health surveillance programs; providing communicable disease follow up and education regarding prevention; providing blood & body fluid exposure follow up and education regarding prevention.

Please Note: educational support in obtaining an OHN certificate course may be supported with a return of service agreement.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Post-secondary degree in Nursing.
• Two years’ experience in Occupational Health Nursing required, preferably in a health care setting
• In the absence of this experience, consideration will be given to those with two years’ experience in a combination of Occupational Health Nursing and Nursing experience
• Current registration with the Nova Scotia Nursing & Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR) required
• Diploma or certificate in Occupational Health Nursing or in Public/Community Health Nursing or working towards completion of same preferred
• Certified in Occupational Health Nursing Canada (COHN C) preferred
• Knowledge of occupational injuries, illnesses and diseases
• Knowledge of NS Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulations; WHMIS Regulations; Workers Compensation Act; Safer Needles in Healthcare Workplaces Act (2008), Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (2015); Personal Health Information Act – NS (2013).
• Knowledge of infectious/communicable diseases and occupational management of same for exposure or illness in healthcare workers.
• Ability to develop and provide teaching programs related to health promotion, disease prevention and injury prevention; teaching may be one‑on‑one and in groups.
• Knowledge of Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and various community resources
• Experience performing delegated medical acts/shared competencies and administering medications/immunizations as required
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Long Assignment, Full‑time position; 75 hours bi‑weekly
• Approximately 14 Months
• Travel to various sites may be required

Compensation and Benefits

$45.93 - $54.97 Hourly

$56.90 hourly with 25 years of nursing experience

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long‑term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high‑quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work‑life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is a Nursing bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self‑identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self‑identify.