Northwood Health Services

Northwood Health services continues to support our facilities, communities, and partners throughout HRM and the province.

Care Aide Program

This program is a great way for individuals with a caring spirit and previous caregiving experience to begin their career in the healthcare industry. The Northwood Care Aide Program (NCA) allows an individual to earn an income while learning and gaining experience on the pathway to achieving a formal Nova Scotia certification.

Along with the original program, we have recently begun an accelerated (NCA) program aimed at assisting Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and other professional healthcare designations, such as doctors who are newcomers to Canada to jump right into a shortened program and clinical aspect, as these individuals have a strong background in providing care in their home country. To become a Northwood Care Aide, please email Elaine Blanchard at eblanchard@nwood.ns.ca.

Navigator

Provincial Travel Staff Program

Recruitment of skilled health care professionals continues to be a challenge that the entire health care system is facing. As the system works to rebuild our post COVID-19 workforce, the Travel Nurse Program is providing temporary support to ensure individuals living in long-term care receive the care they deserve.

This ongoing initiative has levelled out and then grown again to meet the needs of facilities across the province. On behalf of the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, we are thrilled to be in a position to assist the health system through these challenging times. Northwood is coordinating the delivery of PSWs (filling CCA roles), LPNs, and RNs to 23 facilities with 118 travel staff in province.

Navigating our health care system in Nova Scotia can be a challenge. This can be even more challenging when you or a family member are ill or perhaps you are trying to support a loved one when you are living in another jurisdiction.

The Navigator role has been in place at Northwood for over a decade. It was established to ensure that Northwood was providing accurate information and ensuring appropriate linkages were being made to meet the needs of individuals who reached out to Northwood for support.

Our Navigator works closely with community based services, Nova Scotia Health Care Coordinators and 311 to ensure we can direct and support individuals as they navigate the health care system. The Northwood Navigator role will continue to evolve based on the changing needs of our clients.