Clinical Dietitian, Provincial Preschool Autism Services
Company : IWK Health
Req ID: 215088
Department/Program: Provincial Preschool Autism Services
Location: Flexible within the Province
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE) x 4 position(s)
Start Date: February 16, 2026
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $37.2747 - $51.6218 /hour
Closing Date: January 27, 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)
IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located 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 clinical dietitian will work within the context of a needs-based model supporting preschool-age children with, or suspected of having, autism and their families who require mealtime support when clinical intake and care coordination matches children and families to services based on their identified strengths and needs. Reporting to the assigned PPAS clinical manager, the clinical dietitian works collaboratively with the PPAS clinical teams province-wide and provides assessment, intervention, and follow-up (as indicated) on a direct, consultative or monitoring basis. The clinical dietitian consults and collaborates with health care providers regarding preschoolers with confirmed or suspected autism. They assess nutritional needs, support meal-time goals and provide guidance on healthy eating habits, including modifying mealtime environments. The clinical dietitian provides service, support, and consultation according to PPAS care pathways and standards of care.
The clinical dietitian will also build partnerships with community to support families to navigate to community supports and assist with building capacity in health care providers and teams.
This opportunity is flexible and available throughout the province.
Hours of Work
Monday to Friday; 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Your Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with major credits in nutrition or dietetics required; Masters degree preferred
- Graduate of a Dietitians of Canada accredited Dietetic Internship Program
- Licensed member of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietitians, or eligible for licensure
- Advanced Food Safety training
- CPR certification within the last 12 months
- Certification in First Aid
- Demonstrated ability to work within an interprofessional collaborative practice framework; and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge and experience supporting mealtime goals with preschoolers (0 to 6 years) with Autism
- Behavior assessment and intervention to support feeding and eating challenges (e.g., functional behavior assessment, differential reinforcement, shaping)
- Provide education and training as required to clinical team members and learners such as dietetic interns: Share nutrition expertise with clinicians to increase their knowledge and ability to implement strategies to support mealtime goals.
- 2 years’ recent experience with preschoolers preferred
- 2 years’ recent experience with preschoolers with Autism preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal & written) skills.
- Excellent time management, organization and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Family Centred Care.
- Knowledge of pediatric growth charts, therapeutic diets and menu planning for toddlers and families.
- Displays ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities effectively.
- Proficient computer skills in Microsoft office, including excel and outlook.
- Certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention an asset.
- 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.
If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.
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Clinic, Nutrition, Pediatric, Dietitian, Medical Research, Healthcare