Assistant Head Nurse
Your Opportunity:
The Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) plays a key leadership role within the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), reporting directly and accountable to the PACU Manager. This position is responsible for triaging workload, assuring safe skill mix in the creation of nursing assignments, and facilitating surgical flow within the department. The AHN collaborates with physicians and other departments using effective communication and problem-solving skills. The AHN will act as a resource and provide direct mentorship, supporting staff in the department as required while contributing to frontline nursing care on a daily basis. Clinical expertise combined with leadership skills will ensure safe, efficient and high-quality patient care. The PACU AHN will foster team/group effectiveness by modeling excellent clinical practice and interpersonal relationships while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS. As required, the AHN will take a leadership role in the implementation of departmental priorities and quality improvement initiatives in partnership with front line clinical colleagues and the multidisciplinary team.
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: Assist Head Nurse
- Union: United Nurses of Alberta
- Unit and Program: Post Anesthesia Care Unit
- Primary Location: Red Deer Regional Hospital
- Location Details: As Per Location
- Multi-Site: At (UNA only)
- FTE: 1.00
- Posting End Date: 02-SEP-2025
- Temporary Employee Class: Temp F/T Benefits
- Date Available: 22-SEP-2025
- Temporary End Date: 30-OCT-2026
- Hours per Shift: 7.75
- Length of Shift in weeks: 8
- Shifts per cycle: 38
- Shift Pattern: Days
- Days Off: As Per Rotation
- Minimum Salary: $44.71
- Maximum Salary: $61.18
- Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable
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:A minimum of 3 years within the last 5 years clinical experience in a PACU environment providing direct patient care across a multitude of different surgical services and patient complexities. Extensive clinical knowledge in peri anesthesia care with a demonstrated clear pattern of professional and personal development. Demonstrated leadership skills, mentorship capabilities, and the ability to foster collaborative relationships and partnerships with stakeholders. Effective communication, problem solving, change management and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience using Connect Care. ACLS, TNCC, ENPC, PALS are an asset. PPEP course preferred.
Please note:
All postings close at 23:59 MT of the posting end date indicated.
Security Screening:
A satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to your first day of work. Additionally, all employees have an ongoing duty to disclose any charges or convictions that may occur during their employment with AHS.

Healthy Albertans. Healthy
Communities. Together.
We’re passionate about what we do. Our team of skilled and dedicated health care professionals, support staff, and physicians promote wellness and provide health care all across Alberta.
Everything we do at AHS reflects a patient and family centred approach; it’s about putting patients’ and families’ experiences, priorities and trust first.
We are an equal opportunity employer. AHS values the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is committed to attracting, engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
