Nursing Profiles

• Are you a Registered Nurse (RN)?
• Are you a recently graduated Registered Nurse (RN)?
• Are you a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
• Are you an Aboriginal Registered Nurse (RN)?
• Are you a Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced education?

Are you a Registered Nurse (RN)?

Nursing at Health Canada offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, while working within a collaborative team, in diverse settings to improve the health of Canadians. The majority of Registered Nurses employed by Health Canada work in rural and remote communities across Canada, providing primary health care to First Nations clients. In rural areas, nurses work in health centres offering public health programs and community health services. In remote locations, nurses live and work in First Nations communities, providing primary health care, including treatment and emergency services.

As a Registered Nurse (RN), you will find the work setting offers the opportunity to practice to your full scope. In a health centre setting, you will work with community members to identify health priorities and participate in public health programs to address community health needs, with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and community development. In a remote setting, you will follow a primary health care model to address common health problems. A comprehensive orientation program provides instruction in clinical assessment and illness management for clients requiring routine, acute and emergency services.

Nurses at Health Canada are eligible for

• A regular, 37.5 hour work week
• Compensation for overtime work
• Annual NUCHN-03 salary range of $64,401 to $78,100 (based on experience and region of work)
• Education Allowance for preparatory education through recognized institutions
• Vacation and sick leave benefits
• Group surgical/medical insurance, disability insurance, and dental insurance
• Pension Plan
• Availability of part-time and relief work

Bonuses and Benefits

Recruitment Bonus

Full-time nurses working in remote and isolated First Nations communities are eligible for a recruitment allowance of $4,500 as follows: $2,250 to start and $2,250 after 12 months of employment

Retention Bonus

Full-time and part-time nurses working in remote and isolated First Nations communities are eligible for the retention allowance after having completed the equivalent of 12 months full-time work. The monthly allowance of $375 requires that the nurse work a minimum of 10 days per month

Isolated Post Allowance

Allowances and/or special benefits apply to postings in designated communities

Paid Return Trips

Full-time nurses are reimbursed for the travelling cost of up to 3 return trips per year out of the community in which they work

Education allowance

An allowance applies for preparatory education through recognized institutions for designated positions

Qualifications for Employment

• Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Registration as an RN in a province or territory of Canada; nurses must be registered in the province where Health Canada employment is offered
• Baccalaureate degree in nursing is preferred for most positions
• Security clearance; pre-employment medical clearance for northern assignments
• Language requirements vary, depending on location

Health Canada is committed to employment equity.

Are you a recently graduated Registered Nurse (RN)?

Nursing at Health Canada offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, while working within a collaborative team, in diverse settings to improve the health of Canadians. The majority of Registered Nurses employed by Health Canada work in rural and remote communities across Canada, providing primary health care to First Nations clients. In rural areas, nurses work in health centres offering public health programs and community health services. In remote locations, nurses live and work in First Nations communities, providing primary health care, including treatment and emergency services.

As a recently graduated Registered Nurse (RN), you will be guided by more experienced peers and Nurse Practice Consultants to help you adjust to your new role as an RN You will receive a comprehensive orientation and mentorship to support your integration to a health care team. In a health centre setting, you will work with community members to identify health priorities and participate in public health programs to address community health needs, with emphasis on health promotion, disease/injury prevention and community development. In a remote setting, you will follow a primary health care model to address common health problems. You will be provided with instruction in clinical assessment and illness management for clients requiring routine, acute and emergency services.

Please contact the regional offices for more information on current opportunities for recently graduated RNs.

Are you a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

Nursing at Health Canada offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, while working within a collaborative team, in diverse settings to improve the health of Canadians. The majority of nurses employed by Health Canada work in rural and remote communities across Canada, providing primary health care to First Nations clients.

As a registered Nurse Practitioner (NP), you will find the work setting offers the opportunity to function to your full scope of practice, providing primary health care and public health services to First Nations clients in the remote and isolated communities south of the 60^th parallel. You will work with a team of health care professionals, affording you both autonomous decision-making and collaborative practice opportunities to solve complex health situations.

Please contact the regional offices for more information on current Nurse Practitioner opportunities.

Are you an Aboriginal Registered Nurse (RN)?

Nursing at Health Canada offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, while working within a collaborative team in diverse settings to improve the health of Canadians. Most Registered Nurses employed by Health Canada work in rural and remote communities across Canada, providing primary health care to First Nations people.

In rural areas, nurses work in health centres offering public health programs and community health services. In remote locations, nurses live and work in First Nations communities, providing primary health care, including treatment and emergency services.

As an Aboriginal Registered Nurse (RN), your cultural knowledge and understanding will support your nursing practice. In a health centre setting, you will work with other community members to identify health priorities and plan programs to address community health needs. In a northern location, you may be the first point of access to the health care system.

A career with Health Canada in a culturally relevant setting will both challenge and reward you. As a leader and role model to others, you'll make a real difference in the lives of First Nations people. Who better than you can offer the nursing care and cultural understanding that First Nations clients require?

Please contact the regional offices for more information on current opportunities.

Are you a Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced education?

Nursing at Health Canada offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge and advance your career, while working within a collaborative team, in diverse settings to improve the health of Canadians. The department recruits Registered Nurses with advanced education and expertise in specialty areas for mid and senior level positions, 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.

As a Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced education and experience, once hired you will function as a nursing specialist, applying expertise in consultation, knowledge transfer, and leadership, while collaborating with others to solve complex health-related issues and situations. Your knowledge as a specialist will contribute to the development of policies, guidelines and procedures to support the delivery of community health programs or the practices of Health Canada nurses working in either First Nations communities or in occupational health and safety. You will have the opportunity to liaise with academia, health science centres, provincial/territorial government departments and international organizations relating to your area of expertise. Opportunities for professional development and participation in national and international conferences are also available.

Nurses at Health Canada are eligible for

• A regular, 37.5 hour work week
• Compensation for overtime work
• Annual NUCHN-06 salary range of $72,926 to $94,044 (based on experience and region of work)
• Education Allowance for preparatory education through recognized institutions
• Vacation and sick leave benefits
• Group surgical/medical insurance, disability insurance, and dental insurance
• Pension Plan
• Availability of part-time and term employment

Qualifications for Employment

• Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Registration as a RN in a province or territory of Canada; nurses must be registered in the province where Health Canada employment is offered
• Baccalaureate degree in nursing is a minimal requirement; Master's preparation required for most positions
• Security clearance; pre-employment medical clearance for northern assignments
• Language requirements vary, depending on location

Health Canada is committed to employment equity.