Operating Room Manager

Mitchell Eye Centre; Calgary; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Mitchell Eye Centre in Calgary is seeking an experienced Operating Room Manager to lead the ophthalmology OR and ensure safe, efficient surgical services. The role focuses on coordinating schedules, staffing, and resources to support surgeons and patient care in a fast-paced setting.

You will monitor patient flow, uphold infection prevention, manage equipment and supply chains, and help drive quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across the OR.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in an OR/surgical environment with leadership experience.
• Post-secondary education in nursing, healthcare administration, health sciences, or related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, and team leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily OR operations and ensure procedures are staffed and equipped.
• Coordinate surgical schedules and optimize OR utilization.
• Monitor patient flow from admission to discharge and manage staffing.
• Ensure compliance with infection control, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead OR team coaching, performance reviews, and recruitment support.

Skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Fast-paced work

Education

Post-secondary education in nursing, healthcare administration, health sciences, or related field

Job description

Established in 1984, Mitchell Eye Centre continues to be one of the most advanced eye care practices in Calgary. Opening its first operating room in 1990 and laser centre in 1993, Mitchell Eye Centre consistently uses only the most advanced and innovative technology available for the treatment of eye conditions and diseases. Their new location inside the Poplar Centre is the most sophisticated facility in the province and among the best in Western Canada.

Employment Type: Part-Time (15-20 hours per week)

Direct Reports: Yes

Position Summary

The Operating Room Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day leadership and operation of the ophthalmology operating room. This position ensures that surgical services are delivered safely, efficiently, consistently, and in accordance with applicable professional, regulatory, infection prevention, privacy, and organizational standards.

The Operating Room Manager provides leadership to the OR team, coordinates surgical schedules and resources, supports physicians and surgical teams, monitors patient flow and operating room efficiency, and ensures the appropriate staffing, equipment, supplies, and processes are in place to support high-quality patient care.

The successful candidate will be an experienced healthcare leader who is highly organized, calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operating Room Operations

• Oversee the daily operations of the ophthalmology operating room.
• Ensure operating rooms are appropriately prepared, staffed, equipped, and operational for scheduled procedures.
• Coordinate daily surgical lists and optimize operating room utilization.
• Monitor patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge.
• Identify and resolve operational issues that may affect surgical flow or patient experience.
• Ensure appropriate room turnover and efficient utilization of surgical time.
• Coordinate with physicians, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, surgical coordinators, and other departments.
• Monitor delays, cancellations, room utilization, turnover times, and other operational metrics.
• Participate in operational planning for new procedures, equipment, physicians, or changes in surgical volume.
• Lead, coach, and support OR nursing and support teams.
• Develop staffing schedules based on surgical volume, physician requirements, employee skill mix, and operational needs.
• Ensure appropriate coverage for surgical lists, breaks, vacation, sick time, and other absences.
• Establish clear expectations regarding performance, professionalism, teamwork, and patient care.
• Conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews.
• Address performance concerns promptly and in accordance with organizational policies.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training of OR employees.
• Identify opportunities for professional development and cross-training.
• Foster a positive, respectful, collaborative, and accountable team culture.

3. Surgical Safety & Quality

• Promote a strong culture of patient safety and surgical quality.
• Ensure compliance with surgical safety protocols, including appropriate patient identification, procedure verification, surgical site verification, and surgical time-outs.
• Monitor compliance with infection prevention and control procedures.
• Ensure appropriate cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and environmental standards are maintained.
• Ensure appropriate handling, storage, and tracking of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Participate in incident reporting, investigation, and follow-up.
• Identify opportunities to reduce clinical and operational risk.

4. Infection Prevention & Control

• Ensure OR practices comply with applicable infection prevention and control standards.
• Monitor adherence to hand hygiene, PPE, environmental cleaning, sterilization, and aseptic technique requirements.
• Work collaboratively with infection prevention resources and leadership.
• Ensure appropriate processes are followed for instrument reprocessing and sterilization.
• Investigate and escalate infection‑control concerns promptly.

5. Equipment & Supplies

• Ensure adequate availability of surgical supplies, medications, instruments, implants, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory levels, ensuring that special order items are always in stock.
• Coordinate ordering and replenishment of surgical supplies.
• Work with vendors regarding equipment, supplies, maintenance, and service issues.
• Monitor equipment functionality and ensure required preventative maintenance is completed.
• Assist with capital equipment planning and recommendations.
• Develop strong working relationships with ophthalmologists and other physicians utilizing the OR.
• Understand physician preferences and ensure appropriate supplies, equipment, and staffing are available.
• Address physician concerns related to OR operations.
• Participate in surgical planning and scheduling discussions.
• Communicate changes to surgical schedules, equipment, staffing, or procedures effectively.
• Support physicians and surgical teams in maintaining efficient surgical flow.

7. Regulatory & Policy Compliance

• Ensure OR operations comply with applicable provincial legislation, regulatory requirements, professional standards, accreditation requirements, and organizational policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of ophthalmic surgical practices and applicable healthcare standards.
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications, competencies, and training.
• Maintain appropriate policies, procedures, checklists, and documentation.
• Participate in audits, inspections, accreditation activities, and quality reviews as required.
• Ensures facility Accreditation, assisting the Medical Director with fee submission, policy and procedure manual revisions as required.
• Promote a safe, respectful, compassionate, and professional patient experience.
• Monitor patient concerns and complaints related to surgical services.
• Work with the broader clinic team to improve the patient's experience before, during, and after surgery.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Monitor OR operating expenses and identify opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Monitor overtime and agency/temporary staffing requirements where applicable.
• Review supply utilization and identify opportunities to reduce waste.
• Participate in annual budgeting and forecasting.
• Monitor operational KPIs and provide regular reporting to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve OR efficiency, safety, quality, and patient experience.
• Analyze operational data and develop recommendations for improvement.
• Lead or participate in process improvement initiatives.
• Standardize workflows and best practices across surgical teams.
• Support implementation of new technology, equipment, procedures, and systems.
• Encourage staff participation in quality improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in nursing, healthcare administration, health sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in an operating room/surgical environment.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a healthcare setting is considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of surgical workflows and patient safety.
• Experience with staff scheduling and team leadership.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced clinical and surgical environment.
• Frequent interaction with physicians, nurses, patients, vendors, and support teams.
• Requires the ability to respond quickly to changing operational priorities.
• May require occasional early morning, evening, or extended hours based on surgical schedules.
• Regular presence in the operating room and clinical environment is expected.