Assistant Head Nurse

Alberta Health Services; Calgary; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 87,000; Part time

Job summary

Alberta Health Services is seeking an Assistant Head Nurse for the Palliative Care Consult Service. You will oversee staff assignments, support patient flow, and act as a clinical resource and advocate for nursing staff within a community-focused team.

The role emphasizes education, quality improvement, and interprofessional collaboration to strengthen palliative care across site networks. A leadership mindset and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited nursing education program.
• Active or eligible CRNA registration and practice permit.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP).
• 3–5 years minimum full-time equivalence of clinical experience relevant to palliative care.
• 5–7 years of recent acute care clinical experience.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of an interprofessional team.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience in home and community-based services (home care, hospice).

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff assignments and patient flow.
• Act as a clinical resource and advocate for nursing staff.
• Lead quality improvement and education initiatives.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve continuity of care.

Skills

Leadership experience

Educator and change agent

Interprofessional teamwork

Communication skills

Ability to manage priorities

Independent work capability

Computer literacy

Education

Nursing education program completion

CRNA registration eligibility

BCLS-HCP certification

Job description

The Palliative Care Consult Service - Assistant Head Nurse, Urban Team - primarily provides consultation and support to patients, families and attending teams for the management of adult patients with complex palliative symptoms and/or issues related to their life limiting illness in the community. The role also includes opportunities to provide education just in time, as part of a formal palliative education network within the PEOLC portfolio and participates in education development activities through a variety of initiatives including committee work, quality improvement, and others. The position partners with interdisciplinary primary care, community partners and palliative colleagues to: Strengthen the quality of palliative and end of life care through clinical consultation, education, program development, quality improvement, evaluation and research. Provide expert palliative/end of life care nursing consultation for/with attending teams, and patients & families receiving care in the community. Develop expertise in palliative/end of life care with primary care physicians and community partners, to strengthen palliative care competencies and knowledge and skill capacity. Facilitate advanced practice through education and consultation to the patient, families, groups across the continuum of care. Collaborate with Palliative colleagues: Clinical Nurse Specialists, Palliative Care Physicians and the inter‑professional attending team to address complex care challenges, identify system deficits and assist in facilitating implementation of solutions including associated QI/ Evaluation activities focused on building a seamless continuum of care, improving access, and enhancing palliative and end of life care of patients across all sites and sectors.

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.

• Transition Company: Assisted Living Alberta
• Union: United Nurses of Alberta
• Unit and Program: ACCC Palliative Care Consult Service
• Primary Location: Arthur Child Cancer Centre
• Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
• FTE: 0.00
• Posting End Date: 19-NOV-2026
• Employee Class: Casual/Relief
• Date Available: 04-JAN-2027
• Length of Shift in weeks: Varies
• Shifts per cycle: Varies
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• Minimum Salary: $46.05
• Maximum Salary: $63.02
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

• Transition Company: Assisted Living Alberta
• Classification: Assistant Head Nurse
• Union: United Nurses of Alberta
• Unit and Program: ACCC Palliative Care Consult Service
• Primary Location: Arthur Child Cancer Centre
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
• FTE: 0.00
• Posting End Date: 19-NOV-2026
• Employee Class: Casual/Relief
• Date Available: 04-JAN-2027
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: Varies
• Shifts per Cycle: Varies
• Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, On Call
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• 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:

3-5 years minimum full-time equivalency of clinical experience relevant to palliative care within Acute Care, Community, and Hospice environments required.5-7 years of recent acute care clinical experience required.The ability to work well independently and as part of an interprofessional team is required.Demonstrated skills as an educator, innovator, and change agent required.Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication required.Demonstrated leadership experience and organizational skills required.Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of an inter‑professional team.Computer literacy skills.Ability to manage competing priorities, multiple interruptions, and difficult conversations required - which may include emotionally stressed situations involving patients, family members and attending teams.Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.Experience in home and community-based services (home care, hospice)Experience providing palliative care in the community.Experience working in a consultative role.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree (MN)Master’s Degree (MN with palliative focus).CNA - Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Nursing certification CHPCN(C),Completion of the Pallium LEAP Core,Completion of ACP/GCD training,Completion of Serious Illness Conversation WorkshopCompletion of How to Care, What to Say Workshop

Please note:

All postings close at 23:59 MT of the postingend date indicated.

Security Screening:

A satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to your first day of work. Additionally, all employees have an ongoing duty to disclose any charges or convictions that may occur during their employment with AHS.

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We’re passionate about what we do. Our team of skilled and dedicated health care professionals, support staff, and physicians promote wellness and provide health care all across Alberta.

Everything we do at AHS reflects a patient and family centred approach; it’s about putting patients’ and families’ experiences, priorities and trust first.

We are an equal opportunity employer. AHS values the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is committed to attracting, engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.

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