Your Opportunity:
Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre is seeking a collaborative and experienced Site Lead to oversee site and clinical operations in a dynamic rural healthcare environment. Ponoka is a vibrant community in Central Alberta, known for its strong sense of connection and family‑focused atmosphere. The community offers a high quality of life, a welcoming culture, and access to both rural and urban amenities. This role ensures safe, accessible, sustainable, and high‑quality care for a culturally diverse population. The Site Lead is part of the Central Zone leadership team and reports to the Chief Operating Officer, contributing to strategic planning, operational alignment, and system‑level decision‑making. Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre is a pilot site for a hospital‑based leadership model, offering the opportunity to help shape the future of rural leadership within Alberta Health Services. The Site Lead manages day‑to‑day operations, in collaboration with the Unit Manager, to ensure compliance with AHS policies, and supports clinical and non‑clinical teams. The role focuses on operational planning, staff engagement, resource stewardship, patient flow, quality initiatives, and collaboration with partners across Central Zone. Culturally sensitive, patient‑centred care remains central to this work. Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre provides acute care with obstetrics, an emergency department, surgical services, endoscopy, palliative care, and medicine transition beds. Diagnostic imaging, allied health, and continuing care services are also located on site, supporting integrated, team‑based service delivery. This role provides the chance to make a meaningful impact in rural healthcare while working with a dedicated team committed to high‑quality care and strong community partnerships.
Description:
The Site Lead provides operational leadership for Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, ensuring safe, accessible, and high‑quality care for a diverse rural population. The role oversees daily site operations, staffing, patient flow, and adherence to AHS policies and standards. Operational leadership includes responsibility for Surgical Services, the Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD), and provides guidance and support to the Unit Manager to maintain smooth, coordinated operations across programs. The Site Lead supports local, corridor, and provincial initiatives, aligning site operations with broader system priorities. The position participates in key facility committees such as Emergency and Disaster Management, Joint Workplace Health and Safety, Facility Leadership Council, and other groups that promote safety, readiness, and effective site performance. The role fosters a culture that reflects AHS values by building positive relationships, promoting respect, inclusivity, accountability, and supporting staff through coaching, guidance, and daily operational engagement. The Site Lead encourages continuous quality improvement and supports frontline staff in delivering patient‑centered care. The position is accountable for efficient resource use, including staffing models, scheduling, budget oversight, and skill mix planning to ensure sustainable service delivery. Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre provides acute care with obstetrics, emergency services, surgery, endoscopy, palliative care, medicine transition beds, diagnostic imaging, allied health, and continuing care, requiring strong leadership to coordinate integrated rural services.
- Classification: Manager
- Union: Exempt
- Unit and Program: Ponoka Hospital
- Primary Location: Ponoka Hospital and Care Centr
- Location Details: As Per Location
- Employee Class: Regular Full Time
- FTE: 1.00
- Posting End Date: 23-MAR-2026
- Date Available: 02-APR-2026
- Hours per Shift: 7.75
- Length of Shift in weeks: 2
- Shifts per cycle: 10
- Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, On Call
- Days Off: Other
- Minimum Salary: $44.17
- Maximum Salary: $75.70
- Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable
A post‑secondary degree in a health profession, health administration, leadership, or a comparable field is required. Active registration with an Alberta Regulated Health Profession, as appropriate. Minimum 2 years of management or leadership experience within a healthcare or unionized environment.
Additional Required Qualifications:
Experience in a healthcare environment of significant size, complexity, and diversity. Demonstrated ability to manage change and lead innovative solutions to complex issues. Progressive experience in acute care, emergency, obstetrics, surgical services, or rural health programs. Strong organizational and communication skills. Strong relationship‑building abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
5 years nursing experience in rural acute care or OR. Leadership skills in coaching, mentoring, and decision‑making. Ability to manage staffing, budgets, and resources. Experience in quality improvement and patient safety Knowledge of AHS policies, collective agreements, and reporting requirements
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.
