Assistant Head Nurse - Operating

Job summary

The Assistant Head Nurse acts as a clinical resource and mentor for surgical staff while managing patient flow and staff assignments. They also collaborate with the Unit Manager to ensure operational priorities and quality patient care standards are met.

Job details

Your Opportunity: Reports directly to the Patient Care Manager of the Surgical Suite (O.R.), this position acts as a resource nurse for all Surgical Suite staff, mentors new staff and assists in education initiatives. This position also works alongside the Unit Manager in ensuring staff meet annual compulsory education requirements. Position acts as a resource and support for nursing staff during complex procedures. Other expectations include attendance and involvement on committees, organizing of in-services for education needs of staff, working with supply coordinator for equipment / instrument evaluations and updating Doctor’s preference cards and pick lists for surgeries. The resource nurse promotes excellence in the delivery of patient care, contributes to quality initiatives, policy and procedures and promotes a professional work environment on the unit. Description: 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. Classification: Assistant Head Nurse Union: United Nurses of Alberta Unit and Program: Operating Room Primary Location: Sturgeon Community Hospital Location Details: As Per Location Multi-Site: At (UNA only) FTE: 1.00 Posting End Date: 28-SEP-2026 Employee Class: Regular Full Time Date Available: 08-OCT-2026 Hours per Shift: 7.75 Length of Shift in weeks: 12 Shifts per cycle: 57 Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, On Call Days Off: Other Minimum Salary: $46.05 Maximum Salary: $63.02 Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable Required Qualifications: 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). Additional Required Qualifications: Must have three (3) years recent experience in the Surgical Suite - Operating Room (O.R.), including scrubbing / circulating in General Surgery, Gyne Surgery, Plasticsand Orthopedics. Must have Peri-operative course. Current experience is defined as working in an OR setting within the past 2 years. Charge nurse experience and ability to mentor staff is required. Member in good standing with CARNA. Certification CPR. The ability to cope and effectively perform in stressful and / or emergency situations is essential. The incumbent must possess leadership and decision-making ability and be able to exercise sound judgment and use initiative. Good interpersonal and public relations skills as well as good communication skills, oral and written are essential. Good organization and coordination skills are required. Preferred Qualifications: Baccalaureate degree in nursing preferred, combination of experience and education may be considered. Ability to use various AHS computer programs desirable.

What you’ll do

The Assistant Head Nurse acts as a clinical resource and mentor for surgical staff while managing patient flow and staff assignments. They also collaborate with the Unit Manager to ensure operational priorities and quality patient care standards are met.

Requirements

Candidates must have an accredited nursing education, active CRNA registration, and BCLS-HCP certification. A minimum of three years of recent surgical suite experience and a peri-operative course are mandatory.

Listed skills

• Organization · Preferred
• Policy development · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred
• coordination · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Surgical suite management
• Staff mentorship
• Clinical resource
• Patient flow management
• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Communication skills
• Organization
• Coordination
• Peri-operative care
• Scrubbing
• Circulating
• BCLS-HCP
• Policy development
• Quality initiatives

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Management & Leadership