Director of Care (DOC) - Full Time (FT) - Heritage Lodge

Job Description As the Director of Care, you will contribute to the Extendicare purpose of Helping People Live Better , by leading a high performing team that is dedicated to ensuring all residents receive the care they need. The Director of Care (DOC) is a highly skilled and compassionate leader who leads the care team in delivering exceptional resident centered care at a long-term care home. The DOC manages all aspects of care operations, ensuring best practices consistent with Extendicare, Accreditation standards and provincial regulations. Leading and inspiring an engaged team of care professionals is central to achieving an excellent resident experience. Engagement with residents and families to develop a trust relationship is key to resident satisfaction and achieving our mission to provide people with the care they need, wherever they call home. Key Outcomes: Serve as a strong advocate for resident safety and the ongoing improvement of quality care. Attain high resident and family engagement as measured through Experience Survey Results, by caring for each person as we would our own family Consistently meet or exceed all quality and clinical indicators for residents through the effective execution of required clinical programs. Foster a positive culture and employee experience, driving an increase in overall employee engagement compared to the previous year. Ensure adherence to regulatory compliance regarding resident plan of care, as well as organizational standards, policies, and procedures. Key Responsibilities: Cultivate - lead the resident care team, providing day-to-day guidance and fostering a positive work environment that encourages collaboration, accountability, drives high performance and ensures retention by delivering an exceptional employee experience. Train - Ensure that all care staff receive the education required for the effective performance of their roles and promoting professional development. Financial stewardship - Manage the care staff complement consistent with the Extendicare model of care that meets the provincial/legislated hours of care. Oversee the financial management, including assisting with budget preparation and variance analysis of the nursing department Comply - Monitor and ensure compliance with all healthcare regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards and labour and employment standards, including timely investigations and consistent action planning. Risk Management - Identify and manage resident issues as they arise, and ensure clinical risks are mitigated and immediate action taken on critical incidents in keeping with regulatory requirements. Customer Service - By employing the customer service mindset, accept and respond to feedback (complaints, recognition or suggestions) from residents, families, vendors and team members with acknowledgement and empathy. Resident Care - Oversee resident assessment and care planning processes, ensuring personalized care plans are developed and implemented based on resident preferences. Collaborate - Participate actively and collaborate with the leadership team and liaise with care staff, residents and families to deliver and optimize resident care. Improve - Implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance resident safety, wellness and satisfaction, because we are relentless in our efforts to improve. Strategic planning – in support of the home level strategic priorities, develop the operational plans with respect to clinical operations and staffing, which support and enhance resident care. Community partnership - engage with vendors on quality initiatives and training requirements, collaborate with community health partners for the betterment of resident care Values Alignment - Uphold and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values and philosophy regarding ethics, morality, and integrity Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Nursing; Master's degree preferred. Current and unrestricted registration as a Registered Nurse with the applicable Provincial licensing body is required. Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience, in addition to at least 2 years in a leadership role in a long-term care facility or other health facility. Working knowledge of long-term care regulations, standards, and best practices. Demonstrated expertise in leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and build positive relationships. Proven track record of implementing quality improvement initiatives and achieving positive resident outcomes. Proficient in electronic health records (EHR) systems and other relevant technology Core Competencies Business Knowledge Industry/Regulatory Knowledge Program Administration People Management Customer Service Priority Management Attributes of an Effective Leader Strategy Development: Understands the organization’s strategy and sets priorities to make it happen Self-Motivated and Results Driven: Takes ownership and holds themselves and others responsible for delivering high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results Collaboration: Inspires a collaborative team environment and works effectively with others with the ability to influence Effective Communication: Actively listens, seeking to understand all perspectives and communicates with respect Problem Solving: Recognizes and takes ownership to resolve issues outside of clear role mandate Builds High Performing Teams: Builds the capability of individuals and teams through continuous feedback, coaching, and a commitment to learning and development Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement: Uses data to identify and measure performance and develop solutions to motivate improvement. What Extendicare has to offer: At Extendicare, we believe that working as a team creates an environment that allows us to reach our potential. We value each employee, encourage equal opportunity for growth and recognize achievement. As a valued member of our team, you can expect: Continuous mentorship, support for life-long learning and growth opportunities Opportunities for advancement and career growth within the organization A rewarding and meaningful work experience where you can enrich your life and the lives of others through your work. Employee Family Assistance Program. Robust benefits package. Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors throughout Canada. Through our network of 123 owned and operated long-term care homes, as well as our home health care operations serving more than 10,000 patients annually, we provide people with the care they need wherever they call home. Our qualified and highly trained workforce of 22,000 individuals are united by a dedication to quality care and by our vision for a future where everyone in Canada has access to the care and support they need to live their best lives. Time Type: Full time At Extendicare, we’ve spent more than 50 years dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in our long-term care homes across Canada. When you join Extendicare, you become part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for every resident we serve.​ ​ We provide competitive compensation that reflects the value of this role and the unique qualifications each candidate brings. Final salary offers are based on a variety of factors such as your skills, experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities of this position. ​ Base salary is one component of our broader total rewards package. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and long-term career growth. Your recruiter can provide more details about our total rewards offerings during the hiring process.​ ​ We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of the recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing candidate responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment — every application is reviewed by a member of our team to ensure thoughtful and equitable consideration. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.​ Extendicare is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful and inclusive hiring practices. We welcome all applicants, including those from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities, and visible minorities. Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We will gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process upon request and in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require support during any stage of the process, email us at . We acknowledge that the care we provide across Canada occurs on lands that have been cared for by many Indigenous peoples for generations. We recognize First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and their enduring connection to this land, and the importance of respect and cultural safety in the work we do.