Healthcare Furnishings Specialist

The successful applicant will use their interior design expertise and become a member of a multi disciplinary Furnishings & Equipment Capital Projects Planning team working on projects across the Province supporting multiple health care agencies. This posting is for a permanent, full time position.

Reporting to a Manager, Furnishings & Equipment, Capital Projects, the Healthcare Furnishings Specialist (HFS) is responsible for facilitating furnishings for capital & minor projects and initiatives as assigned. The HFS provides technical, clinical & application expertise, project and budgetary management in the planning for and acquisition of Furnishings. The HFS is accountable for creation of technical cut sheets, project documentation, developing & maintaining detailed furnishings lists and required process approvals. The HFS will develop detailed technical specifications and procurement strategies for the tender & procurement of the required furnishings. Responsibilities also include attending all programming & design related project meetings, collaboratively working with the F&E Project Team to initiate & maintain ongoing consultation with project managers from the Government of Alberta (GOA) & Alberta Health Services (AHS), physicians, clinicians, various internal AHS departments, external consultants, engineers and architects throughout the project life cycle. The HFS provides ongoing communication to Management, F&E Project Team, the project manager and other stakeholders as well as continual engagement in the furnishings delivery, installation and commissioning process. For projects that are predominately furnishings, the HFS will take primary planning responsibility for all project planning and procurement activities. The HFS provides ongoing support, recommendations, and reporting as required to the Project Team Lead and Manager for all assigned projects.

An academic background in Interior Design or Architectural Technology with 2 to 5 years industry experience specific to furnishings selection & coordination is required. The incumbent needs to be comfortable working with clinical & non-clinical staff, senior management, physicians, vendors, external consultants, architects, AHS executive, Government of Alberta Ministry staff and others as required. The HFS must have a solid understanding of healthcare furnishings applicable to clinical practice and patient care within a healthcare environment. Ability to read and interpret design drawings and engineering specifications as well as contract documents is essential. A high degree of proficiency in CAD is required and knowledge of Revit would be preferred. Knowledge and understanding of design and construction practices is required. A good understanding of the Alberta building and fire codes and how they relate to health care facilities would be an added benefit. Knowledge and experience with healthcare infection prevention and control practice guidelines would also be a definite asset.

A background in project management as well as a formal PMP designation is a definite asset. Strong work ethic and positive attitude in addition to a proven ability to lead by example and motivate a project team is required. Proven strong computing stills in addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills. This position is required to travel to healthcare projects throughout the province. Safety training is required to access construction sites, as well as approved personal protective equipment (PPE). Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle in good repair for work-related travel is also required. The successful candidate must perform effectively in a high pressure, project-based work environment with frequent workload changes, competing demands & deadlines. Perform repetitive work according to set procedures, with frequent interruptions and/or distractions. Adapt to frequent changes in reporting structure, workload and adjust priorities quickly. Set priorities and prioritize assignments which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities & project deliverables to complete heavy workload within established time frames. Work independently & follow through on assignments.

A candidate who is comfortable working in a high pressured, ever-changing work environment with strong critical thinking skills, who welcomes social interaction with colleagues is preferred. Some travel throughout the province including overnight for project deliverables, teambuilding, staff meetings and other day to day activities is required with this position. A background in project management as well as a formal PMP designation is a definite asset.