Employment Opportunities - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between working in a health centre and a nursing station?
2. Once I am hired, what type of orientation is provided before I am assigned to a position in a First Nations community?
3. What experience should I have when considering employment in a remote community?
4. I am a nursing student looking to complete a clinical placement with Health Canada in a First Nations community; how do I arrange this?
5. I am a Registered Nurse in a foreign country looking to work for Health Canada; how do I explore this?
6. I notice that you only hire Registered Nurses (RNs) at this time. Will there be any opportunities for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the future?
7. I am interested in working for Health Canada in an urban setting. What types of opportunities exist?
8. Why are there no nursing employment opportunities in the Atlantic region?
9. What type of educational support does Health Canada offer?
10. I am currently employed as a nurse in another federal department; how can I be considered for a position with Health Canada?

1. What is the difference between working in a health centre and a nursing station?

In a health centre, you'll work with community members to identify health priorities and plan programs to address these needs. Based on public health principles, you'll participate in the provision of a full range of community health programs with emphasis on health promotion, illness prevention and health protection across the lifespan. Health centres are located in First Nations communities in rural areas.

In a nursing station you'll use a primary health care model approach to common health problems across the lifespan. Working with a team of other health care professionals, you'll provide health assessment, treatment and emergency services and comprehensive health promotion/disease prevention programs. In collaboration with community members and the health care team, you'll influence and promote positive lifestyle practices and illness prevention activities. Nursing stations are located in remote and isolated communities south of the 60^th parallel.

2. Once I am hired, what type of orientation is provided before I am assigned to a position in a First Nations community?

Once you have commenced employment, you'll be provided with a paid orientation. The length of the orientation varies depending on the experience level of the individual. In addition to the general orientation, nurses assigned to nursing stations receive instruction in clinical assessment and illness management for clients requiring routine, acute and emergency services. For further information regarding orientation, please contact the regional office for the province in which you are seeking employment.

3. What experience should I have when considering employment in a remote community?

Preference is given to nurse applicants who have a combination of experience in areas like primary health care, public health, medical/surgical and acute care. Skill in performing comprehensive health assessments and ability to problem solve and manage complex health situations are assets.

4. I am a nursing student looking to complete a clinical placement with Health Canada in a First Nations community; how do I arrange this?

You should contact the regional office for the province where you are looking to complete your clinical placement to discuss possible opportunities. There is a standard process to be followed by Health Canada and the school of nursing for all nursing clinical placements.

5. I am a Registered Nurse in a foreign country looking to work for Health Canada; how do I explore this?

To be considered for employment as a nurse with Health Canada, you are required to have Permanent Resident Status or Canadian Citizenship. Registration as a nurse in one of Canada's provinces or territories is also necessary. Regarding your eligibility to reside and work in Canada, we suggest that you contact the nearest Canadian consulate office or the Canadian Embassy in your country of residence or visit the  Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for more information. We also recommend that you contact the  Canadian Nurses Association, located in Ottawa, Canada, by calling 1-800-361-8404 or 1-613-237-2133 or via their website for information about becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada.

6. I notice that you only hire Registered Nurses (RNs) at this time. Will there be any opportunities for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the future?

Health Canada does in fact hire LPNs in the Alberta region to work in primary care and home and community care. In order to find out more about employment possibilities as a LPN in Alberta, please contact the nursing recruitment officer at 780-442-7298. Health Canada is currently assessing the RPN/LPN role in our organization and it's expected that there will be more opportunities in other regions in the foreseeable future.

7. I am interested in working for Health Canada in an urban setting. What types of opportunities exist?

The department recruits Registered Nurses with advanced education and expertise for mid and senior level positions in specialty areas, including Disease Surveillance, Epidemiology, Home and Community Care Coordination, Policy Analysis, Nursing Management and positions requiring the skills of Advanced Practice Nurses (Clinical Nurse Specialists). These positions are located in Health Canada offices in major centres, including headquarters in Ottawa. Many mid and senior level positions are posted on  Careers in the federal Public Service. Simply search the key word "nurse" by province.

8. Why are there no nursing employment opportunities in the Atlantic region?

Health Canada has limited nursing positions in the Atlantic region because most First Nations Band Councils take responsibility for the recruitment and hiring of nurses for their communities. Other opportunities to work for the federal public service exist, and are listed on the  Public Service Commission website.

9. What type of educational support does Health Canada offer?

Health Canada supports the continuing education of its employees through various programs.

10. I am currently employed as a nurse in another federal department; how can I be considered for a position with Health Canada?

Deployment and assignment possibilities are available for eligible federal public servants who are seeking a move to another region or to another federal department. To find out more about these possibilities, you will need to speak with your Human Resources advisor. The federal public service encourages career development and opportunities for growth. Employees may apply for assignment and deployment opportunities through the PubliService website.