Assistant Director of Care

Department: Nursing and Clinical Services
Reports To: Director of Care
Salary: $85,000-$115,000 based on qualifications, experience, and relevant skills
Term: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Posting Date: October 29, 2026
Closing Date: Open until filled

Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care is committed to providing high-quality, culturally safe, resident-centred care in an environment of respect, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement. We welcome qualified individuals who share our commitment to clinical excellence and positive relationships with residents, families, employees, and community partners.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Care supports the Director of Care in providing clinical leadership, supervision of Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs), staff education, and quality improvement. The position promotes staff development, regulatory compliance, and safe, culturally appropriate, resident-centred care in accordance with Ontario long-term-care legislation, professional standards, and organizational policies.

Serving as a clinical leader, educator, and mentor, the Assistant Director of Care works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to support clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Nursing Leadership and Supervision

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and supervision to RPNs and PSWs, ensuring effective staff performance, clinical practices, and high-quality, resident-centred care.

• Assess staffing needs, resident acuity, workload demands, and operational requirements, recommending appropriate staffing and resource adjustments to the Director of Care.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, attendance management, employee relations, and workplace concerns.
• Address resident care concerns, complaints, incidents, and clinical risks, ensuring appropriate investigation, documentation, corrective action, and compliance with organizational policies, collective agreements, occupational health and safety requirements, and professional standards.
• Participate in Nursing Management on-call rotations and act as the Director of Care’s designate when formally assigned and within delegated authority.

Clinical Education and Staff Development

• Develop, coordinate, and evaluate orientation, continuing education, and clinical competency programs for nursing staff, PSWs, students, and agency personnel.
• Assess learning needs and coordinate annual education plans, mandatory training, and competency assessments.
• Monitor training completion, including Surge Learning, and maintain accurate education and certification records.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with clinical leaders to support education in infection prevention and control, medication safety, wound care, falls prevention, dementia care, responsive behaviours, palliative care, and clinical documentation.

Quality Improvement and Regulatory Compliance

• Support compliance with Ontario long-term-care legislation, Ministry requirements, professional standards, and organizational policies.
• Monitor quality of care through clinical audits, chart reviews, and assessments, and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
• Assist with Ministry inspections, accreditation, regulatory reporting, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Support infection prevention and control, outbreak management, emergency preparedness, and clinical risk management.

Leadership and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Director of Care, physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Human Resources, and interdisciplinary teams to support resident care and operational priorities.
• Serve as a clinical resource to staff, residents, and families.
• Assist the Director of Care with resident admission assessments and clinical planning.
• Participate in organizational committees, resident and family councils, and interdisciplinary meetings as required.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professional development, culturally safe care, and respectful workplace relationships.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Director of Care.

Qualifications:

Education and Professional Registration

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) preferred.
• Additional certification in clinical education, gerontology, nursing leadership, or infection prevention and control considered an asset.

Experience

• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive nursing experience, preferably in long-term care or geriatric nursing.
• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory, management, or clinical leadership experience.
• Experience in staff education, clinical competency development, and quality improvement.
• Experience in a unionized healthcare environment considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Ontario long-term-care legislation, resident rights, professional nursing standards, infection prevention and control, occupational health and safety, and quality improvement practices.
• Demonstrated clinical judgment, leadership, coaching, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, teaching, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, analyze information, and prepare reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, electronic health records, and learning management systems.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical decision-making, accountability, and professional excellence.

Working Conditions:

• Regular interaction with residents, families, employees, healthcare professionals, and external partners.
• Ability to move throughout the home to conduct clinical rounds, audits, observations, and education sessions.
• Flexibility to work varied hours to meet clinical, educational, and operational needs.
• Participation in emergency and outbreak response activities and Nursing Management on-call rotations as required.

Mandatory Requirements:

• 2-Step TB Test or Chest X-Ray prior to date of hire.
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector dated no later than 6 months from date of hire.
• Up-to-Date Immunization Record.
• Proof Influenza Vaccination preferred

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on qualifications, experience and demonstrated leadership experience.
• Comprehensive Group Benefits Plan.
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Professional development and ongoing education opportunities.
• Supportive, collaborative, and multidisciplinary team environment.
• Meaningful work supporting Elders and older adults in a resident-centred care environment.
• Opportunity to work in a culturally responsive organization that values the Seven Sacred Teachings.
• Beautiful lakeside work environment in Kenora, Ontario.

Ontario Health Incentive Grants:

• Successful candidates may qualify for up to $45,000 in incentive grants through the JOIN LTC and CCPN programs for successfully completing a 2-year commitment of full-time employment.
• Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care is located in the North West region and qualifies for the Northern Top-Up and Relocation Grants (subject to meeting all required eligibility and approval by Ontario Health).
• The Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN) program is available for RNs and RPNs who have not been employed as a nurse in Ontario in the 6 months prior to being hired, among other eligibility criteria. For more information and full eligibility requirements, please visit Ontario Health’s CCPN page.
• The Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC) program is available for RNs and RPNs who have not received CCPN incentive funding and have not worked in Long-Term Care in the 6 months prior to being hired. For more information and full eligibility requirements, please visit Ontario Health’s JOIN LTC page.
• Eligibility and approval of the CCPN and JOIN LTC programs is solely determined by Ontario Health.

Vacancy Disclosure

This posting is being advertised to fill an existing vacancy within the organization.