Psychologist (Masters), Provincial Preschool Autism Services

Nova Scotia Health Authority; Halifax; On-site; CAD 58,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

IWK Health in Halifax seeks a Masters-level Psychologist to conduct clinical diagnostic assessments for preschool and school-age children within the Provincial Preschool Autism Service (PPAS). The role supports the Diagnostic Assessment stream and aims to provide timely, evidence-based evaluations.

The position requires a CPA/APA-accredited degree, NS regulator registration, and 3–5 years of pediatric experience, with a Monday–Friday schedule.

Qualifications

• Masters degree from CPA/APA-accredited program in child-focused psychology.
• Registration or eligibility with the NS Regulator of Psychology.
• 3–5 years of pediatric work experience.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment and evidence-based intervention.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical diagnostic assessments for preschool and school-age children.
• Deliver timely diagnostic reports and participate in PPAS processes.
• Collaborate with the Diagnostic Assessment stream leadership and clinicians.
• Contribute to best-practice guidelines and continuous improvement.

Education

Masters degree in psychology (clinical, school or related)

Job description

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Psychologist (Masters), Provincial Preschool Autism Services

Req ID: 228367
Department/Program: Preschool Autism Diagnostics , Provincial Preschool Autism Services
Location: Halifax
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment ( 100% FTE) until January 2028 x 1 position(s)
Start Date: December 2026
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare , Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $ 42.2138 - $ 60.344 /hour
Closing Date: 26-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre 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.

Provincial Preschool Autism Services

The Provincial Preschool Autism Service (PPAS) is a partnership between IWK Health (IWK), Nova Scotia Health (NSH), Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia (HSNS) and Autism Nova Scotia (Autism NS). It provides person and family-centred services to preschoolers across Nova Scotia who are suspected of or have a diagnosis of autism. The goal of the service is to provide an efficient, sustainable, and integrated continuum of health services that follows a needs-based model responsive to the individual needs of children and their families.

Services include a range of interventions and supports available for children and families. Service streams include:

• Clinical intake and care coordination
• Family and health professional education
• QuickStart NS parent coaching toddler program
• Autism diagnostic assessment
• Interprofessional autism interventions
• Intensive intervention for children with the greatest social communication and behaviour needs
• Transition to school supports

The Opportunity

The Masters Psychologist position is responsible for completing clinical diagnostic assessments of children who are suspected of having a diagnosis of autism. The role may serve both preschool and school age children; diagnostics is the only area of the provincial preschool autism service that serves school age children.

Diagnostic Assessment resources are part of the Provincial Preschool Autism Service and are integrated with existing autism diagnostic services provincially. Diagnostic services are supported by a Clinical Leader, Diagnostics and psychologists assigned to the Diagnostic Assessment stream of service in PPAS work within a system that reduces variations in access to autism assessment for families provincially and meets standard wait time benchmarks.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday; 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Your Qualifications

• Masters degree from a Canadian Psychological Association or American Psychological Association accredited program in clinical, school or other relevant area of applied psychology, including the completion of a year-long residency (child/adolescent focused). Graduate degree in clinical, school or other relevant applied area of Psychology (MA/MSc).
• Registration or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology (NSRP).
• Three to five years of relevant pediatric work experience.
• Knowledge of psychology (e.g., abnormal, social, developmental).
• Knowledge of research methods and statistics.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment, psychological measurement and diagnosis.
• Knowledge of evidence-based intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of best practices in psychology.
• Knowledge of professional, ethical and legal issues related to the profession and area of practice.
• 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.

I f you are an employee ofIWK Health , please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.

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