Assistant Head Nurse

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

Job summary

Alberta Health Services, Red Deer Regional Hospital, seeks an Assistant Head Nurse – Patient Flow Coordinator to lead staff in balancing capacity and patient flow across the site. You will provide clinical direction to a multidisciplinary team and coordinate safe admissions and transfers with the bed management team.

You will mentor charge nurses, participate in bed huddles, and help address discharge barriers while supporting system improvements for timely access to care across the Central Zone.

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).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate staff assignments for patient flow and bed management.
• Provide clinical direction and lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Collaborate with charge nurses to ensure safe admissions and transfers.
• Identify discharge barriers and problem-solve system issues affecting bed capacity.
• Participate in daily bed huddles and promote patient- and family-centered care.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Conflict resolution

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Accredited nursing education program

CRNA registration or eligible

BCLS-HCP certification

Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred

Job description

Your Opportunity:

Reports to the Manager of Patient Flow, as an Assistant Head Nurse - Patient Flow Coordinator will be responsible for effective balancing of capacity demand and flow of inpatients within the RDRHC. Provides leadership and clinical direction to various members of a multidisciplinary team. Works closely with department charge nurses and various members of the health care team and support services, to facilitate safe and timely placement/transfers of patients requiring the services of RDRHC. Additional responsibilities include coordinating repatriation transfers into and out of our facility while assisting to identify and problem solve discharge barriers. Has accountability to make leadership decisions to enhance safe patient care and to ensure access to RDRHC services. Responsible to support staff, assist to remove system barriers and problem solve complex system issues related to patient flow. Makes decisions to enhance flow of EIPs out of the Emergency Department while providing clinical expertise to the Patient Flow Admin staff and other staff as required. Participates in daily site Bed Huddle and works with teams to identify and resolve system issues. Collaborates with Senior Leadership to resolve bed capacity and patient flow challenges within RDRHC and between RDRHC and other facilities in Central Zone. Coaches and mentors new charge nurses, bed control clerks and other professionals in effective and efficient bed flow processes. Intermittently required to participate in direct patient and family conversations related to admission and transfer options.

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: Patient Flow
• Primary Location: Red Deer Regional Hospital
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
• FTE: 0.00
• Posting End Date: 08-SEP-2026
• Employee Class: Casual/Relief
• Date Available: 18-SEP-2026
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: Varies
• Shifts per cycle: Varies
• Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, Weekends
• 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:

Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, including the ability to elicit information and gain support. Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage difficult and challenging situations while working harmoniously within the interdisciplinary team. Proven ability to make sound professional judgements. A comprehensive understanding of the continuum of care, from community to acute care, to rehabilitation and alternate community options. This position is required to make decisions that are best for overall patient safety and quality while considering the facility. Willingness to have crucial conversations with a focus on conflict resolution. Promotes a positive working relationship with all healthcare providers by respecting others’ opinions, abilities and judgement and manages interpersonal conflict using appropriate communication methods. Desire and ability to develop trusting working relationships with staff, physicians, and multidisciplinary team members, RAAPID and management within the RDRHC and rural sites in Central Corridor is imperative.

Preferred Qualifications:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree of Nursing is preferred or a combination of experience and past demonstrated skills will be considered. Minimum 5 years current experience in an acute care area. Prior Patient Flow, leadership, or management experience. Knowledge of RDRHC daily operations. Highly developed organizational skills and problem-solving ability. Strong skills in managing teams. Previous Patient flow experience and Connect Care Bed Planning is an asset.