Consultant Accreditation Advisor

Reporting to the Director of Accreditation, the Consultant, Accreditation Advisor is a system-level consultative role within the Quality Management & Improvement (PRE) portfolio at Acute Care Alberta (ACA). The position advances ACA’s provincial accreditation oversight model by partnering with accreditation leads and operational teams across Health Service Delivery Organizations (e.g., AHS Acute Care corridors, Emergency Health Services, Cancer Care Alberta, Lamont Healthcare Centre, and Chartered Surgical Facilities). The Advisor aligns organizations to Accreditation Canada/HSO standards, supports self-assessment and readiness activities, and helps translate findings into corrective actions that strengthen patient safety and quality. Operating with a high degree of independence and leading by influence, the Advisor builds trusted relationships with executive, clinical, and corporate stakeholders; convenes Communities of Practice to share learnings and resources; and champions a psychologically safe, non-punitive approach to continuous improvement. The role applies implementation science and change management to embed self-correcting mechanisms outside survey cycles, and contributes to provincial reporting (e.g., Required Safety Practices (previously Required Operational Practices) tracking, dashboards, and trend analyses) that inform governance and decision-making. Success is measured by strengthened readiness, reduced variation, visible follow-through on recommendations, and a culture of learning across organizations.

The Consultant, Accreditation Advisor plays a key role in advancing Acute Care Alberta’s provincial accreditation oversight strategy. Working with a high degree of independence, this position plans, coordinates, and sustains accreditation activities across multiple health corporations. Leading by influence, the Advisor collaborates with operational, clinical, and corporate leaders to assess readiness, interpret Accreditation Canada and Health Standards Organization standards, and embed corrective actions that strengthen patient safety and quality across the system. This role applies implementation science and change management principles to support organizations in building self-correcting mechanisms that sustain compliance beyond accreditation cycles. The Advisor develops and delivers education, resources, and tools that build capacity among provincial, corridor, and site leaders. The position also supports the development of provincial reporting frameworks, dashboards, and metrics to enable continuous quality improvement and shared learning across the system. Through exceptional relationship-building, diplomacy, and analytical expertise, the Consultant, Accreditation Advisor helps align provincial health partners around a shared culture of excellence, safety, and accountability.

Master’s degree in healthcare, health administration, quality improvement, implementation science, or related field. Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in healthcare delivery, administration, or quality/safety improvement. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply Accreditation Canada or equivalent standards. Proven experience implementing corrective actions and supporting organizations through accreditation cycles. Advanced ability to apply implementation science and change management frameworks to achieve sustained results. Experience collaborating across complex, multi-site or provincial healthcare systems. Strong facilitation, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills with leaders at all levels. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Ability to work with a high degree of independence while leading by influence across diverse organizations. Demonstrated skill in navigating politically sensitive environments with diplomacy and discretion. Proven analytical skills in interpreting data, identifying systemic risks, and developing actionable improvement strategies. Strong organizational and project management abilities to manage multiple accreditation portfolios simultaneously. Advanced knowledge of healthcare quality and safety frameworks, Required Organizational Practices (ROPs), and provincial reporting processes. Exceptional interpersonal judgment to build trust with senior leadership, clinical teams, and corporate partners. Commitment to advancing a culture of continuous learning, quality, and patient safety. Demonstrated ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to inform accreditation oversight, planning, and decision-making.

Quality Improvement Certification (e.g., Alberta Improvement Way Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent). Formal Change Management Certification (e.g., PROSCI, Kotter, ADKAR, or equivalent). Membership in healthcare quality and safety organizations (e.g., CCHL, ISQua, ASQ). Experience supporting or leading accreditation oversight at a provincial or multi-site level.