Infant Feeding Specialist - Public Health

​Req ID: 190071
Location: Western Zone, South Shore Regional Hospital  
Department:
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 
NSGEU Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 1-Nov-24

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Early Years, the Infant Feeding Specialist collaborates with the Early Years team in the Zone to promote, protect and support breastfeeding and healthy infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices to improve population health outcomes and reduce health inequities. The Infant Feeding Specialist acts as a specialist resource for families and front-line staff by providing timely and effective support through consultative services, education, orientation, and mentorship while working within a collaborative model of care. The Infant Feeding Specialist advocates for and promotes the development and maintenance of essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide high-quality, evidence-based and trauma and violence-informed IYCF support. The Infant Feeding Specialist engages with a broad range of local community and healthcare partners to build capacity and promote best practices related to IYCF in the prenatal and postnatal period.

This position requires work at multiple sites and travel between various community locations throughout the area.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a healthcare related discipline (Dietician, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, or Registered Nurse)
• International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Certification or able to obtain within 3 years of employment
• Minimum one (1) year related experience required
• Experience providing direct breastfeeding/infant feeding support and education.
• Experience providing infant feeding support in public health or community settings an asset.
• Demonstrated experience supporting breastfeeding persons with complex lactation and feeding challenges
• Knowledge of the Baby-Friendly Initiative
• Understanding of and application of health equity and health promotion activities related to breastfeeding and infant feeding
• Critical thinking skills including judgement, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated cultural humility, and respect for diversity, including the ability to support clients from various cultural, socioeconomic backgrounds, and differing values
• Valid NS Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Permanent full-time position / 75 hours bi-weekly

Compensation and Benefits

$32.32 - $40.61 Hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

​This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. 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.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.