Assistant Head Nurse

The Orthopedic Surgery Centre, Inpatient Unit 310 is looking to recruit an enthusiastic, reliable and team-focused Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) prepared to work in a multidisciplinary team. Under the direction of the Unit Manager, the AHN promotes excellence in the delivery of patient care, contributes to quality initiatives and promotes a professional work environment on the unit. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the AHN is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. The AHN assumes responsibility and acts as a resource for skills assessment, staff development, and daily operative planning. The AHN will provide leadership in clinical practice, coordination and monitoring of clinical activities, and multidisciplinary communication related to the specialty of arthroplasty and related procedures. The AHN works closely with the Unit Manger in providing strategies to improve efficiencies and ensure financial stewardship within the department.

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).

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a charge nurse role in the Surgery Inpatient Program required. Minimum of 5 years’ Orthopedic surgery experience required. Previous AHN experience required. Previous Arthroplasty experience required. Effective interpersonal and written communication skills. A strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders is necessary. Must have strong clinical and leadership skills with experience in clinical practice, leadership, facilitation, coaching, people management, change management as well as quality and operational improvement. Knowledge of acute care. Strong capacity for self-directed work and teamwork. Strong understanding of site capacity and flow. Able to coordinate discharge planning, day to day unit operations, and care planning of complex, longer stay patients. Demonstrates and can provide examples of informal peer leadership (participation in a quality council, participation in quality improvement initiatives, care hub leadership). Strong mentorship skills and ability to guide and offer feedback to newer staff. Strong interpersonal skills. Enthusiastic, reliable, team focused and must have a clean attendance record. Computer skills including experience in Microsoft Outlook, email and scheduling. Only candidates who submit a current resume will be considered for an interview.

Knowledge of AHS, Alberta’s healthcare structure, and of collective agreements. Demonstrated strong de-escalation skills and conflict resolution skills. Current non-violent crisis intervention (NVCI) training is an asset. AHS Leadership Courses, like Leading Teams, Situational Leadership, Leadership Essentials, Constructive Conversations, Accountable Leadership, Leading Change are an asset. Ability to work in a physically and mentally demanding and challenging environment.