Psychiatric Nursing Specialist

Title: Psychiatric Nursing Specialist

Department: Health

Community: Iqaluit

Requisition Number: 1027

Type of Employment: Term ending August 2027

Salary range: $128,393 - $145,662 per annum for 37.5 hour/week

Northern Allowance: $16,818 per year

Housing: Subsidized Staff Housing is Available

Union Status: Nunavut Employees Union

Closing date: December 4, 2026@ 11:59 p.m. eastern time

This employment opportunity is open to all applicants.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

As this is a term position ending August 2027, current indeterminate Government of Nunavut employees may be offered a competitive transfer assignment for the duration of the term if they are deemed to be the successful candidate, however this is subject to managerial approval. This does not apply to successful appointees choosing Remote Work.

Reporting to the Territorial Director Mental Health and Addictions, as part of the Mental Health and Addictions Resource Team (MHART), the Psychiatric Nursing Specialist has responsibility for providing leadership regarding how the Mental Health and Addictions Division engages with all relevant stakeholders in the development, delivery, and retention of quality, evidence-based, culturally informed psychiatric nursing services across the Territory.

Main responsibilities for the Psychiatric Nursing Specialist include:

• Establishing goals, objectives and indicators for community-clinic and hospital-based mental health programs, services and initiatives and to monitor their achievement;

• Providing direction regarding interpretation of existing legislation and regulations;

• Conducting stakeholder consultations (GN departments, social services providers, health care professionals, healers, Elders, and community groups);

• Addressing any concerns related to Regional human resource planning and management to the assigned Regional Manager;

• Ensuring that all mandatory certifications/accreditations are current and participate in recertification as required;

• As requested, actively participating in MHART projects that may be outside the traditional scope of Psychiatric Nursing and/or this particular role;

• Creating and distributing interdepartmental and inter-sectorial communication related to Psychiatric Nursing as required.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job are usually obtained through a recognized:

• Undergraduate degree in nursing;

• Certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing;

• Registration with a professional governing body in good standing;

• Five (5) years of psychiatric or mental health nursing experience;

Assets for this position are included in the following:

• Master's degree in nursing;

• Extensive clinical experience in Nunavut Mental Health and addictions;

• Experience working in small community settings with service delivery across tiers of mental health intervention, project management, emergency response planning;

• Experience with new media in mental health promotion;

• This is a Highly Sensitive Position and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, along with a clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any of the official languages of Nunavut. Fluency in more than one of Nunavut’s official languages would be considered an asset. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also considered assets.

Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

• The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; therefore, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as being enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
• Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for your application to be considered.
• Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates from being considered. An assessment of the criminal record will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This is only a requirement for positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check.
• Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• The onus is on candidates in receipt of foreign post-secondary education credentials to have their foreign credentials assessed through a recognized Canadian education institution. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.

Department of Health

The Department of Health (HEA) is responsible for health services and social programming in Nunavut. Staff at HEA work to improve the health and well-being of Nunavummiut by addressing the differing needs of each community through culturally appropriate programs and services.

The Government of Nunavut was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People and recent graduates. With one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in Canada, Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory, committed to becoming an even better place for future generations. As a government, we are strengthening our unique model of governance - one that integrates Inuit societal values, promotes use of the Inuktut language, achieves a representative public service, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges and opportunities for training and career advancement.