Assistant Head Nurse

We are seeking a highly motivated and leadership-driven individual for the position of Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) for the Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and Short Stay Service at the MHRH. The AHN will be a cornerstone of professional excellence, extending beyond leadership and clinical oversight to foster teamwork, relationships and collaboration, ensuring the highest standards of care for patients. The AHN will provide direction and guidance to clinical staff, drawing on expert knowledge of addiction and mental health programming; liaise with internal and community stakeholders to facilitate care for those experiencing issues related to concurrent addiction and mental health needs. The AHN has an expert knowledge of addiction and mental health treatment, strong collaborative, organizational, and communication skills, and the ability to liaise with other internal and community stakeholders to facilitate timely access to services for patients. The AHN cultivates and sustains positive working relationships with physicians, staff, departments within MHRH, and the community of Medicine Hat. The AHN identifies issues for bed capacity and patient flow within the Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and Short Stay Service and works to resolve them by removing system barriers to facilitate smooth and timely patient transfer of care and discharges. The AHN utilizes critical thinking to solve difficult and complex issues, playing a key role in providing safe and quality patient and family centered care. The AHN’s in-depth knowledge and skills, advanced judgement, recent leadership experience, clinical experience, and strong communication skills are essential to the success of this role. This position may involve heavy lifting, extended workday, and psychologically stressful situations.

As an Assistant Head Nurse, you will be responsible for staff assignments, patient flow and acting as a role model, clinical resource and advocate for nursing staff. In addition to providing frontline nursing care, as required, you will take a leadership role in the promotion of quality patient care and the implementation of operational priorities. Your in-depth knowledge and skills, advanced judgment and clinical experience, will assist in providing solutions for complex health care issues at all levels with patients, interprofessional teams, administrators and policy makers. You will play a key role in providing safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS.

Completion of an accredited nursing education program. Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP).

At least 2 years recent experience in a leadership role (eg. Charge Nurse, Nurse Educator, Professional Practice Lead, Team Lead). 3-5 years’ experience in an adult in patient psychiatry nursing role. Working knowledge of relevant legislation is required, including the Alberta Mental Health Act and the Health Information Act. Demonstrated ability to supervise and provide direction and mentorship to members of a multidisciplinary team. Demonstrated commitment to maintaining knowledge and skills through professional development or continuing education. Self-directed and with independent decision-making skills, problem solving, nursing judgment and critical thinking skills. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (NCI) certification required or must be obtained after employment. This position has transitioned to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Recovery Alberta.

Proficiency and understanding of computer systems (e.g., Connect Care, Microsoft Office Suite, ESP, Medworxx). Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work within a multidisciplinary team and efficiently meeting program and patient needs. Demonstrated ability to manage a variety of clinical situations with varying levels of acuity and a diverse patient population. Preferred experience in an adult inpatient psychiatry program.