Clinical Lead - Full Time

About Optima Living
Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to provide a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care. What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers.

Today, Optima Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. Our innovative approach includes Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way; our proprietary brain health and care model. As the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, we proudly serve more than 6,000 residents.

Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy and a focus on innovation, we are redefining aging with purpose creating communities where seniors live with dignity, connection, and joy.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Care, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the Clinical Lead is responsible for assessing, coordinating, supervising, administering, and evaluating resident care and services and work closely with team members to provide high quality care and services to residents.
In the absence of the Director of Care, the Clinical Lead assumes all Director of Care’s duties and responsibilities to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the community. (Applicable for communities without an Assistant Director of Care).
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in alignment with Optima Living’s mission, vision, and values, promoting person-centered care by respecting the uniqueness, dignity, and self-determination of residents to promote maximum personal and functional independence. These duties are performed within the framework of established organizational policies and procedures, industry best practices, while adhering to applicable regulations and standards.
Responsibilities
• Provides leadership and guidance particularly during complex or unexpected situations.
• Supports the daily operation of the team through coordination of work routines.
• Understands and supports positive team member–employer relationships to ensure effective operations and teamwork.
• Assigns tasks based on resident healthcare records, ensuring services provided are in accordance with the services contracted.
• Conducts and attends team meetings; serves on committees as applicable.
• Ensures that care programs are delivered in accordance with the nursing philosophy, goals, and standards of care while complying to all governing regulations.
• Provides initial and ongoing physical and psychological assessment of residents, reporting any relevant changes to the Director of Care or designate.
• Supports the completion of all resident health care records documentation and follow up.
• Ensures that all services provided are tracked and updated in resident healthcare records
• Oversees the medication management for residents.
• Ensures that residents are supported with appropriate Lifestyle Package and extra services, balancing their needs and their means in consultation with the Director of Care or designate,
• Ensures supplies are ordered and inventory is managed according to set guidelines.
• Ensures all resident suites are inspected and prepared to meet move-in standards prior to resident arrival.
• Ensures effective communication systems are in place for residents, families and team members.
• Provides compassionate and timely support to residents and families by actively listening, addressing concerns and resolving inquiries with empathy and respect.
• Coordinates with other team leads within the community to ensure that goals and planned changes are monitored and reviewed.
• Assists with soliciting regular resident and family feedback from surveys and other means.
• Ensures resident care and safety by identifying areas of risk and recognizes situations in need of improvement.
• Handles resident and family complaints by investigating concerns, reporting findings, and recommending resolutions to the Director of Care or designate.
• Completes organizational audits and reviews results with the Director of Care or designate on quality improvements.
• Supports the Director of Care or designate in reviewing key performance indicators, quality reports and inspection reports for the development of quality improvement action plans.
• Facilitates effective teamwork between care providers, physicians, other health professionals, volunteers and families.
• Provides input on performance evaluations and improvement strategies to the Director of Care or designate.
• Ensures team members maintain current knowledge and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Supports the onboarding and orientation of new team members.
• Ensures full team participation in the continuing education program.
• Resolves conflicts and takes appropriate corrective action as required.
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns to supervisor, General Manager or Health & Safety Committee.
• Identifies maintenance issues and reports them following established maintenance procedures.
• Responds promptly during emergency codes in alignment with organizational standards and protocols.
• Contributes to quality improvement initiatives by sharing ideas and providing feedback.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
• Ensures adherence to infection control policies and procedures through regular audits, observations, and investigations.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of resident medical and personal information in accordance with privacy legislation.
• Completes orientation upon hire and annual mandatory education as assigned.
• Respects and upholds the Resident Bill of Rights and the Assisted Living Rights of Residents.
• Performs other duties as required to support operational needs.
Qualifications & Experience
• Graduate from an approved school of nursing.
• Maintains a current license to practice from the AB College of Registered Nurses (CRNA)
• Minimum one (1) year recent nursing experience in a senior residential care setting is required.
• Maintains an active CPR and First Aid certification.
• Demonstrates the qualities and skills to act as a role model and leader to Nurses, Care Aides and other team members.
• Demonstrates a therapeutic approach to the delivery of care.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Communicates in an approachable and respectful manner with the temperament to deal tactfully and cooperatively in all interactions.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to present professional documents with clarity.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively organize, prioritize and problem solve.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to manage and resolve difficult and challenging situations effectively and respectfully.
• Physical and mental ability to carry out the duties of the position including adherence to provincial health legislation.
• Ability to safely operate equipment according to established protocols.
• Computer literacy skills required.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts.
Conditions of Employment
• Clear Police Information Check
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check
• Successful completion of all mandatory Provincial Health Requirements
• Active CPR and First Aid Certification