Assistant Head Nurse

Recovery Alberta; Red Deer; Hybrid; CAD 63,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Recovery Alberta in Red Deer is seeking an experienced Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) to lead our Red Deer Protective Safe House. You will supervise nursing and support staff, coordinate care plans and ensure adherence to clinical protocols in a trauma‑informed, culturally safe environment.

You will mentor multidisciplinary team members, promote quality patient care, and contribute to program development while upholding ethical standards and collaborative practice with the United Nurses of Alberta.

Qualifications

• Active or eligible for registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA).
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP).
• Minimum of two years of leadership experience in a healthcare setting, including staff supervision or team coordination.
• Strong understanding of addiction and mental health treatment and motivation to develop positive workplace culture.
• Preference given to candidates with experience working with youth and families, preferably in mental health or addictions settings; training in NVCI and Trauma-Informed Care is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff assignments, patient flow and act as a role model and clinical resource.
• Lead the promotion of quality patient care and implement operational priorities.
• Provide safe, high‑quality patient and family‑centered care in line with Recovery Alberta’s values.
• Mentor multidisciplinary team members and support professional development and collaboration.
• Create and manage profiles for future opportunities and contribute to program development.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Team coordination

Trauma-informed care

Addiction treatment knowledge

Mentoring

Education

Accredited nursing education program

CRNA registration eligibility

Job description

Are you passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients during critical moments in their lives? The Red Deer Protective Safe House is seeking an experienced Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) to join our multidisciplinary team. The team provides evidence-based withdrawal management and stabilization for youth in a secure site. This includes both voluntary and involuntary patients. In this role, you will manage daily operations, ensure high standards of nursing care, and foster a safe, structured environment for patients during detox and early recovery. Responsibilities include supervising nursing staff and support staff, coordinating care plans, monitoring compliance with clinical protocols and unit processes, while promoting trauma-informed and culturally safe practices. You will also play a key role in supporting and mentoring multidisciplinary team members, supporting professional development and collaboration within the team to deliver holistic care. You will bring creativity and innovation to problem-solving and program development, maintain a culturally competent and equity-informed approach, and uphold ethical conduct and professionalism in all interactions. Exceptional effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team are essential. Additionally, this role requires strong leadership qualities, the ability to develop others through mentorship and coaching, and a focus on fostering teamwork and collaboration to achieve program goals.

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 Recovery Alberta.

• Union: United Nurses of Alberta
• Unit and Program: Red Deer Protective Safe House
• Primary Location: The Protective Safe House
• Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
• FTE: 0.70
• Posting End Date: 05-OCT-2026
• Temporary Employee Class: Temp P/T Benefits
• Date Available: 15-OCT-2026
• Temporary End Date: 07-FEB-2028
• Length of Shift in weeks: 4
• Shifts per cycle: 14
• Days Off: As Per Rotation
• Minimum Salary: $46.05
• Maximum Salary: $63.02
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

• Classification: Assistant Head Nurse (2022.75)
• Union: United Nurses of Alberta
• Unit and Program: Red Deer Protective Safe House
• Primary Location: The Protective Safe House
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
• FTE: 0.70
• Posting End Date: 05-OCT-2026
• Temporary Employee Class: Temp P/T Benefits
• Date Available: 15-OCT-2026
• Temporary End Date: 07-FEB-2028
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: 4
• Shifts per cycle: 14
• Shift Pattern: Days, Weekends
• Days Off: As Per Rotation
• 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:

Candidates must have a minimum of two years of leadership experience in a healthcare setting, including staff supervision or team coordination. Have a strong understanding of addiction and mental health treatment and be motivated to develop and maintain positive workplace culture.

Preferred Qualifications:

preference given to candidates who have a minimum of two years of experience working with youth and families, preferably in mental health or addictions settings. Experience with addictions care and/or completion of specialized addiction training is preferred. Applicants should demonstrate strong critical thinking and clinical judgment skills, along with training in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and Trauma-Informed Care principles.

Create and manage profiles for future opportunities.

Central Zone RA, Red Deer, The Protective Safe House