Apply for nursing jobs in First Nations communities

Be part of a collaborative team of Indigenous Services Canada health care professionals. Deliver care to clients of all ages in remote or isolated First Nations communities.
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Apply to join our nursing team
RN - Primary Care (Community Health Nurse NU-CHN-03)
Apply now: RN - Primary Care (Community Health Nurse NU-CHN-03)
Job description
Community health nurses deliver comprehensive health services in First Nations communities. They are responsible for:
- in-depth nursing knowledge, skills and clinical expertise
- advanced judgment through consultation and clinical practice
- leadership
- knowledge transfer
- health promotion
- disease prevention
- mental health assessment
- referral
Salary
A base annual salary of $80,948 to $92,653 (plus applicable allowances), or $96,747 to $130,579 (per annum inclusive of applicable allowances)
RN - Public Health (Community Health Nurse NU-CHN-03)
Apply now: RN - Public Health (Community Health Nurse NU-CHN-03)
Job description
Public health nurses deliver programs that support the good health of First Nations peoples. They are responsible for:
- wellness: well-baby, well-woman, well-man
- public health screening
- immunization and infection prevention
- health teaching and promotion
- communicable disease screening
Salary
A base annual salary of $80,948 to $92,653 (plus applicable allowances), or $90,747 to $124,579 (per annum inclusive of applicable allowances)
RN - Nurse in Charge (Nurse in Charge NU-CHN-04)
Apply now: RN - Nurse in Charge (Nurse in Charge NU-CHN-04)
Job description
In addition to providing culturally safe and quality patient care, Nurses in charge are responsible for:
- promoting positive relationships within the clinical team and community
- coordinating and supervising care delivery
- providing clinical guidance
- supporting management
- administration of the clinic or health centre
Salary
A base annual salary of $84,187 to $98,114 (plus applicable allowances), or $105,986 to $142,040 (per annum inclusive of applicable allowances)
NP - Nurse Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner NU-CHN-04)
Apply now: NP - Nurse Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner NU-CHN-04)
Job description
Nurse practitioners provide onsite and remote consultative services to the population health and primary care team. They are responsible for:
- illness treatment
- referrals
- ordering and interpreting tests
- prescribing medications
- performing minor medical procedures
- educating clients and their families on:
- healthy living
- disease prevention
- managing illness
Salary
A base annual salary of $84,187 to $98,114 (plus applicable allowances), or $115,836 to $148,590 (per annum inclusive of applicable allowances)
LPN/RPN - Public Health (HS-PHS-07) Licensed Practical Nurse/Registered Practical Nurse
Apply now: LPN/RPN - Public Health (HS-PHS-07) Licensed Practical Nurse/Registered Practical Nurse
Job description
Registered Practical Nurses care for patients with predictable outcomes and are responsible for:
- supporting primary care programming
- comprehensive health and chronic disease assessments of clients at all stages of life
- urgent and emergent care
- patient education
- health and wellness promotion
- disease prevention
- referrals
Salary
Hourly rates of pay (in dollars) $33.43 to $36.34
What we offer
Come for the experience. Stay for the people. Enjoy the rewards.
ISC nurses face a unique set of challenges, with every day a new opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Work alongside a talented team of nurses, other health professionals and community members, dedicated to delivering quality care in a culturally safe way.
ISC nurses carry out a full scope of practice and provide a broad range of services unique to northern nursing in Canada. Becoming a nurse in a First Nations community means building relationships and connections that will last a lifetime.
The benefits
Information about employee entitlements
For the most up–to-date information about employee entitlements, please visit these Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) web pages:
- Collective Agreement for the Health Services Group
- Collective Agreement for Operational Services (HS or RPN)
If the information provided here does not match the TBS website information, TBS is the prevailing authority.
Allowances
The increase in recruitment and retention allowances went into effect September 1, 2022, and will continue through to March 31, 2025, or when a new collective agreement is reached, whichever comes first. It will be provided to both full- and part-time ISC registered nurses delivering critical services in remote and isolated First Nations communities in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
As of August 2023, ISC has new nursing recruitment and retention allowances for Registered/Licensed Practical Nurses:
- Registered Practical Nurses in remote or isolated Indigenous communities will receive $2,150 in the month of hiring and $3,150 at the end of the 12 months after hiring.
- Registered Practical Nurses in remote or isolated Indigenous communities will receive an additional $5,300 per year to be paid bi-weekly.
Applicable allowances may also include:
Position | Education | Recruitment **Increased on September 1, 2022 |
Retention **Increased on September 1, 2022 |
Expanded professional role | Nurse-In-Charge | Nurse Practitioner | Isolated post |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allowance amount | $605 to $3,850 | $6,750 upon signing $9,750 after 12 months |
$16,500 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $18,000 | $4,299 to $23,126 (w/o dependents) |
Registered Nurse, Primary Care | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Eligible |
Registered Nurse, Public Health | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Eligible |
Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Not eligible | Eligible |
Nurse Practitioner | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible* | Not eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Registered Practical Nurse | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Eligible |
* Nurse practitioners are not eligible for the expanded professional role allowance when in receipt of the nurse practitioner allowance. ** Recruitment allowance for registered nurses (RNs) will be paid in 2 installments ($6750 in the first month of hire and $9,750 after 12 months for a total of $16,500. For part-time employees, the amounts are prorated. |
Multiple locations
Positions are located in Remote or isolated First Nations communities in northern Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec.
Flexible schedules
Travel and outpost nursing rotations may vary and will include a combination of days, evenings, nights, and weekends.
Common rotations in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta may include:
- 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off
- 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off
- 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off
- Rotations in Quebec are: 16 days on, 12 days off.
Additional benefits
- leave benefits
- pension plan
- accommodations provided
- group, disability and dental insurance
- employee assistance program
Nursing students and recent graduates opportunities
Canada Student Loan forgiveness
We offer student loan forgiveness.
If you are a nurse or nurse practitioner and you qualify, you could receive up to $20,000 in Canada Student Loan forgiveness. $4,000 a year over a maximum of 5 years.
Note: Loan forgiveness will apply to your outstanding loan principal balance after the end of your 12 months of service. You will be required to keep making regular payments.
Your 5 years of service do not have to be consecutive. If you have a Canada Student Loan balance at the end of each year of service in an eligible community, you will qualify for loan forgiveness for 5 years.
For more information and eligibility requirements, please visit: Canada Student Loan forgiveness.
Nurse Development Program
If you are a third or fourth year student or recent graduate with a degree in nursing from a recognized post-secondary institution, you may be eligible for the Nurse Development Program. This program is regionally led and learning plans are individually tailored to identify and develop required competencies to work in primary care settings. This will help ensure that you are fully prepared to work independently and meet the needs of the community.
For more information, and how to apply, please email the Centre for Nurse Recruitment: nursing-infirmiers@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Who can apply
Citizenship/permanent residency
- People residing in Canada, permanent residents of Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad may apply
Experience
- Candidates must be either a registered nurse or eligible to be a registered nurse, registered practical nurse or a nurse practitioner. They must be licensed by the time of appointment within the province in which the position is located. Specific areas of experience can be found on the apply link for each position.
Visit us in person
Contact us
For more information, please email: nursing-infirmiers@sac-isc.gc.ca