Director, Acute Assessment/Access

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care; Penetanguishene; Hybrid; CAD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Ontario seeks a Director of Acute Assessment Programs and Access & Flow to provide strategic leadership for multiple clinical programs, including planning, integration, and evaluation of services to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care in a safe environment.

The role leads regional capacity initiatives, access, flow, and housing strategies, and collaborates with Ontario Health – Central and Ministry of Health to improve patient throughput and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a regulated healthcare field and in good standing with applicable regulatory college.
• Master’s degree in a health-related field.
• Preference for health leadership, Certified Health Executive, LEAN or Six-Sigma certificates.
• Minimum 5-7 years progressive leadership experience in health care or related environment working with dynamic and diverse teams and managing complex, large-scale projects.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external partners to achieve shared goals.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience leading initiatives to address complex issues in health care, such as access and flow.
• Extensive clinical knowledge and experience with a focus on the organization, integration and delivery of mental health services in a specialized, multidisciplinary program setting.
• Knowledge of organizational methods, and human resources management in order to develop, retain and effectively utilize resources to meet service objectives and make sound decisions.
• Ability to utilize technology and analyze information systems and knowledge of quality management principles, as well as clinical research and its application.
• Strong working experience in Microsoft software: Windows, Office, Project, Visio, SharePoint.
• Results oriented work ethic to work independently and undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives and deliver quality, consistent and timely results.
• Proven ability to adapt readily to changeand reflects an optimistic and positive attitude.
• Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values (Caring, Respect, Accountability, Innovation).
• Preference for proficiency in French/English language skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for Acute Care Programs, Patient Access & Flow, Housing, and the Float team.
• Plan, implement, integrate and evaluate departmental programs aligned with strategic priorities.
• Set strategic priorities and create actionable work plans with measurable outcomes.
• Develop and manage annual departmental budgets.
• Determine staffing levels and oversee recruitment and professional development.
• Oversee Central Intake to ensure smooth patient transitions from referral to discharge.
• Collaborate with Ontario Health – Central and regional partners on quality improvement.
• Develop partnerships to expand service capacity and housing options.
• Lead the development and execution of Waypoint’s housing strategy.
• Advocate for housing as a critical enabler of access and flow in the mental health system.
• Represent Waypoint on regional and system-level committees; liaise with hospitals and community partners.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across programs.
• Support knowledge translation and learning health system practices.
• Coach and mentor staff, fostering accountability and continuous learning.

Skills

Leadership experience

Healthcare leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Quality management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare

Master’s degree in health-related field

LEAN/Six-Sigma certificates

Tools

Microsoft Project

Visio

SharePoint

Office suite

Job description

Wa ypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 321-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

The Vice President, Integrated Health Delivery Systems & Chief Clinical Supports Officer is currently seeking a Director, Acute Assessment Programs and Access & Flow. The purpose of the position is to provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the operation of multiple clinical programs, including planning, implementation, integration, and evaluation of services to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care, treatment, and rehabilitation in a safe environment. This role leads the development, execution, and evaluation of regional health system capacity initiatives, as well as Waypoint's access, flow, and housing strategies.

Please Note: This position offers a hybrid work environment consisting of in-office and remote work. Office location is 500 Church Street Penetanguishene ON.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1.Strategic & Operational Oversight

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for the Acute Care Programs, Patient/Client Access & Flow department, Housing services, and the Resource (“Float”) team, ensuring they operate cohesively to meet organizational goals.
• Lead the planning, implementation, integration, and evaluation of departmental programs and services, ensuring alignment with Waypoint’s Strategic Plan, operational priorities, and corporate values.
• Establish clear strategic priorities and operational objectives for each portfolio area and translate them into actionable work plans with measurable outcomes.
• Develop and manage annual departmental budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship and alignment with corporate priorities.
• Determine appropriate staffing levels, lead recruitment and retention strategies, and oversee professional development to ensure departmental capacity meets current and future needs.

2.Access, Flow and Capacity Building

• Accountable for achieving and sustaining key strategic metrics such as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) throughput and rates, occupancy levels, length of stay, and other utilization measures that support timely and effective patient flow.
• Oversee Central Intake operations to ensure smooth patient transitions from referral to admission to discharge, with processes that are responsive, efficient, and patient-centred.
• Partner with Ontario Health – Central, Ministry of Health, and regional health system partners to design and implement quality improvement initiatives, operational best practices, and innovative solutions to improve patient flow and system integration.
• Leverage system-level relationships to identify and implement programs or partnerships that expand service capacity and reduce barriers to timely care, including housing access.

3.Housing Leadership & Innovation

• Lead the development and execution of Waypoint’s housing strategy, ensuring it supports patient recovery, discharge planning, and staff/student accommodation needs where appropriate.
• Oversee Housing Coordinator and housing-related teams to align service delivery with Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care requirements, corporate strategies, and equity principles.
• Build and maintain partnerships with housing providers, home operators, municipalities, and community agencies to expand availability and suitability of housing options for patients/clients.
• Advocate for housing as a critical enabler of improved access and flow in the mental health system, addressing it as a systemic barrier to timely discharge.
• Develop operational processes to educate and coach housing providers, families, and other community stakeholders to support long‑term housing success.
• Seek and secure funding opportunities for housing initiatives, preparing proposals, business cases, and reports to funders and partners.

4.Partnerships, Interest Holder Engagement & System Integration

• Represent Waypoint and its access, flow, and housing portfolios on regional, provincial, and system-level committees, ensuring organizational perspectives inform decision‑making.
• Act as the primary liaison with regional hospitals, community agencies, primary care, housing providers, and other sectors to create integrated and coordinated service pathways.
• Collaborate with internal divisions and external partners to advance regional coordinated access strategies, reduce duplication, and close system-level service gaps.
• Engage patients, clients, caregivers, and community representatives in co-design of access and flow processes, ensuring services reflect lived experience and cultural safety principles.
• Build trusted partnerships that support cross‑sector initiatives and joint funding opportunities, including collaborations that address housing shortages and improve post‑discharge supports.

5.Quality, Safety & Performance Improvement

• Develop and implement evaluation frameworks and performance monitoring tools for access, flow, and housing initiatives, ensuring progress is tracked and outcomes reported at the corporate and system levels.
• Drive evidence‑based decision‑making by leveraging data analytics, research findings, and best practice guidelines.
• Promote and embed recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed, and culturally safe care approaches into all departmental operations.
• Ensure safety and quality improvement initiatives for patients and staff are designed, implemented, and regularly evaluated, meeting or exceeding accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Support knowledge translation and learning health system practices, ensuring results are shared internally and externally to influence broader system improvement.

6. People Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to direct reports and matrixed team members, fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous learning.
• Build a high‑performing, diverse, and inclusive workforce by recruiting and retaining top talent and developing future leaders within the organization.
• Lead through change by applying change management principles, ensuring transparency, engagement, and support for staff during transitions.
• Maintain positive labour relations, resolving conflicts effectively and constructively, and ensuring a collaborative working environment.

7. Compliance, Accountability & Reporting

• Prepare and present reports for senior leadership, funders, and ministries using Balanced Scorecards, Quality Reports, and other corporate reporting tools.
• Align departmental strategies and initiatives with hospital equity, diversity, and inclusion priorities, ensuring planning and service delivery are grounded in equity principles.
• Contribute to policy development, review, and implementation at both the hospital and system level to advance coordinated care and capacity‑building efforts.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a regulated healthcare field and in good standing with applicable regulatory college
• Master’s degree in a health‑related field
• Preference for health leadership, Certified Health Executive, LEAN or Six‑Sigma certificates
• Minimum 5-7 years progressive leadership experience in health care or related environment working with dynamic and diverse teams and managing complex, large‑scale projects
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external partners to achieve shared goals
• Demonstrated understanding and experience leading initiatives to address complex issues in health care, such as access and flow
• Extensive clinical knowledge and experience with a focus on the organization, integration and delivery of mental health services in a specialized, multidisciplinary program setting
• Knowledge of organizational methods, and human resources management in order to develop, retain and effectively utilize resources to meet service objectives and make sound decisions
• Ability to utilize technology and analyze information systems and knowledge of quality management principles, as well as clinical research and its application
• Strong working experience in Microsoft software: Windows, Office, Project, Visio, SharePoint
• Results oriented work ethic to work independently and undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives and deliver quality, consistent and timely results
• Proven ability to adapt readily to changeand reflects an optimistic and positive attitude
• Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values (Caring, Respect, Accountability, Innovation)
• Preference for proficiency in French/English language skills.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• A comprehensive and generous benefit plan including dental coverage, paid holidays, paid vacation days, sick days and extended health benefits
• Participation in the Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Professional development and mentorship opportunities
• Relocation support program for eligible staff
• Access to Waypoint’s Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)