Physician Co-Leader - Provincial Preschool Autism Service

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-centered services to preschoolers across Nova Scotia who are suspected of or have a diagnosis of Autism.

PPAS delivers a needs-based model of care that is responsive to the unique strengths, needs, and goals of children and families. Services include a single point of access for supports and diagnostic assessment, followed by ongoing care coordination. Services are tailored to match child and family goals and may include a toddler parent coaching intervention program, an interprofessional autism interventions team, and a 12-month intensive service for the children with the greatest social communication and behavior needs.

Foundational to all of this is education for caregivers and professionals. The Nova Scotia Provincial Preschool Autism Service aims to enhance and foster development of child and family skills to achieve goals. As an expert in their clinical area, the Physician Co-Leader works closely with the Director, Provincial Preschool Autism Service, and is a champion for the program’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities, while modelling and upholding IWK Health’s mission, vision, and values.

The Physician Co-Leader provides system-level clinical leadership and oversight, where required, to support high-quality, evidence-informed, and family-centered autism services across Nova Scotia. This includes providing advice regarding clinical standards, models of care, care pathways, quality and safety priorities, and emerging evidence relevant to provincial service delivery.

Working in partnership with stakeholders across organizations, the Physician Co-Leader helps strengthen clinical alignment, advance evidence-informed practice, and promote consistent service delivery throughout the province. Together, the Physician Co-Leader and Program Director provide a shared leadership model that integrates clinical expertise with operational priorities to support effective decision-making, continuous quality improvement, and positive outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Commitment to a close, collaborative working relationship is fundamental to the success of this partnership. Expected Hours Minimum 0.2 FTE (1 day/week) up to 0.3 FTE (1.5 day/week) to be confirmed with successful candidate Start Date As soon as possible, November 2026 Term The Physician Co-Leader is appointed for period of 2 years Remuneration Compensation will be provided reflective of FTE and will be determined based on employment/contractual arrangement of the successful candidate Location of Work We welcome applicants from all Zones; work will be largely virtual with opportunities for in-person meetings where appropriate Minimum 3 years clinical experience as a licensed physician, combined with an interest in working at a provincial level; Substantive clinical expertise in working with pediatric populations and specifically in the assessment, management, or delivery of services for autistic children and their families, with a strong understanding of current evidence-informed and neurodiversity-affirming approaches to autism services; Demonstrated academic, scholarly, educational, quality-improvement, or knowledge-translation contributions related to autism, child development, or pediatric care are considered an asset; Experience as a physician/clinical leader (preferably in a provincial capacity); Thorough knowledge of Nova Scotia’s health care system and demonstrated leadership skills leading change in complex environments; Background in program planning, delivery, evaluation and outcome measurement; Interest in and appreciation for health economics, sustainability and health system planning; Champion of interprofessional, trans-disciplinary, team-based care The following are considered additional assets: Knowledge of quality improvement, research, education, data management, standards and monitoring; Knowledge of interprofessional practice frameworks and competencies; experience working in team-based environments.

Application Deadline October 29, 2026 How to Apply Qualified candidates interested in this opportunity are asked to apply and include an updated CV and cover letter by the closing date. Attn: Natalie Ash, Interim Director Provincial Preschool Autism Service c/o Myra Mingo Myra.Mingo@iwk.nshealth.ca Click here for job posting: https://iwkhealth.

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