Board Positions Profile and Selection Criteria
Agency, Board or Commission Nova Scotia Health Authority Board
1
Statute
Health Authorities Act
Chapter 32 of the Acts of 2014, An Act to Provide for Health
Authorities and Community Health Boards, as amended by
Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2015.
Health Authorities Act General Regulations, N.S. Reg. 16/2015, made
by Governor in Council by Order in Council 2015-23 dated January 29,
2015 and as amended by N.S. Reg. 52/2015, made by Governor in
Council by Order in Council 2015-77 dated March 24, 2015.
2
Purpose
The Nova Scotia Health Authority shall provide health services to the
entire province, except for those health services provided
by the IWK Health Centre.
3
Functions
To govern, manage and provide health services in the province and
to implement the strategic direction set out in the provincial health
plan established by the Minister of Health and Wellness.
4
Composition
Up to a maximum of 13 directors, or as prescribed by the
regulations, and such number of non-voting directors as the Minister
considers appropriate. The Chair shall be appointed by the Minister
from one of the voting directors.
The Minister may select 1 member of the IWK Health Centre’s board
to serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Nova Scotia
Health Authority’s board.
The Minister may select 1 voting director of the Nova Scotia Health
Authority’s board to serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of
the IWK Health Centre’s board.
5
Formal Qualifications
The Minister shall appoint the directors of the Board of the Nova
Scotia Health Authority based on the skills and assets he deems to
be necessary to ensure an effective and optimally-functioning board.
Persons in the following categories are not eligible to serve:
a. A member of: the House of Commons or the Senate of
Canada; the House of Assembly; a council of a regional
municipality, an incorporated town or a municipality of a
county or district; or a school board;
b. An employee of a health authority or the Department of
Health and Wellness or someone who has privileges in a
health authority;
c. A person or member of a class of persons prescribed by the
regulations.
An employee of a health authority or a physician who has privileges
in a health authority may be appointed or serve as a non-voting
director of the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
6
Work & Experience
Requirements
Significant demonstrated board experience with a solid
understanding of good corporate governance.
7
Skills Required
All directors should possess and have demonstrated success in:
 business/financial acumen and informed judgment in areas
such as: strategic management, finance, control and
accounting, operations, communications, marketing, human
resources and/or managing complex employee relations;
 integrity and accountability;
 a high degree of commitment;
 a focus on achieving desired results;
 effective, interactive communication skills; and
 a collaborative and team player approach.
8
Statutory / Traditional
Nomination Requirements
None
9
Term of Appointment
A director of the Board of the Nova Scotia Health Authority may be
appointed for a maximum term of 3 years, as specified in the
director’s appointment in accordance with Section 54 of the Act.
A director continues to hold office until his or her successor is
appointed or until such time as s/he is re-appointed.
The Chair holds office for a term of three years and may be reappointed for one additional three-year term.
10
Remuneration
Directors serve without remuneration.
A director may be reimbursed by the Nova Scotia Health Authority
for the reasonable expenses necessarily incurred by the director in
the performance of the director’s duties, subject to the regulations
and to any more restrictive policy adopted by the board.
The regulations provide for reimbursements of expenses of
dependant care, travel, meals, accommodations, long distance
telephone calls, faxes, and photocopying.
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Anticipated Time
A substantial time commitment is required for membership on this
12
Commitments
board. At a minimum, board meetings are expected to occur at least
once a month along with special and annual meetings, with the
expectation that members also sit on board subcommittees and
attended related meetings, as required.
Other Notes
Experience with demonstrated success in the following areas would
also be considered assets:
 Leading and promoting system change through community
engagement
 Maintaining risk management systems and strategies
 Engaging in strategic and systems thinking
 Dealing with complex legal issues, particularly in a public
sector environment
 Demonstrating commitment to person-centered service
excellence
 Applying expertise in quality and safety
 Developing a safe, quality and healthy work environment
 Understanding the academic environment and its culture
 Navigating the research and innovation landscape
 Understanding current and emerging health sector issues
 Planning and delivering significant capital infrastructure
development
 Evaluation/performance assessment
 Expertise in health systems technology
 Partnering and relationship building
Please also refer to the Medical, Dental and Scientific Staff Bylaws,
Parts A, B, and C, N.S. Reg. 187/2015, 188/2015, 189/2015 (filed
with the Registrar of Regulations April 1, 2015), for some roles of the
Chair and members of the Board.
Please also refer to the Nova Scotia Health Authority Corporate
Bylaws, N.S. Reg. 186/2015 (filed with the Registrar of Regulations
April 1, 2015), for discussions of roles, responsibilities, and
competencies of Board officers and members as well as
organizational structures of the Board and subcommittees.
Note: Community Health Board membership is included in the
provisions of the Health Authorities Ministerial Regulations, N.S. Reg.
64/2015, (filed with the Registrar of Regulations 30 March 2015).
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