Assistant Head Nurse - Operating

Alberta Health Services; St. Albert; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Alberta Health Services in Sturgeon Community Hospital is seeking an Assistant Head Nurse for the Operating Room. You will serve as a resource nurse for OR staff, mentor new hires, and support education initiatives while ensuring staff meet annual compulsory education.

In this role you will lead staff assignments, manage patient flow, participate in committees, and collaborate with the unit manager to uphold quality patient care and professional practice on the unit.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited nursing education program.
• Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with CRNA.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP).

Responsibilities

• Act as resource nurse for OR staff and mentor new hires.
• Assist in education initiatives and ensure annual compulsory education completion.
• Lead staff assignments, manage patient flow and participate in committees.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organization

Decision making

Education

Accredited nursing education program

Tools

AHS computer programs

Job description

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 judgement 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.