registered nurse

infirmier

administrative assistant

licensed practical nurse

paramedic

Alberta Childrens Hospital

I am a Stores Attendant at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and Misericordia Community Hospital. My acting Supervisor uses me as his casual in between the Grey Nuns and the MIS; because I know every job in between. I was trained in shipping and receiving, the driver position, which is also the delivery person within the hospital, this person delivers items that the couriers deliver to the hospital, and also the Stores position of course. I have been a casual with Covenant Health since Dec. of 2015. Recently a position became available within our department because an employee accepted another position at the MIS. This person has only been in the position for a couple of months or less than. So the job was not re posted and awarded to another casual within our department. This casual has not even been in our department for a couple of months and it was awarded to her. My supervisor did not even let me know that she was awarded the position. I had to find out from my fellow employees that this person was awarded the position. I am not only upset by this, but also offended. My supervisor has always told me to keep trying and that I would get the position next time. He's always said "next time" which has given me false hope. He knows that I want a full time position and that has always been my goal. My other employees are also upset that I did not get this position as well. I believe that this is a personal attack against me as my supervisor and I have had an argument several times about how he runs our department, how he treats others, and his professionalism.

The number one thing that seems to happen around our department is the lack of relief. There has been countless amounts of times where I will show up to work and full time staff have called in sick or they are on vacation and there is no relief for them. This is from the experience of years that I have worked here that this has happened. He will push all of the work onto us or he will have no relief at all which makes work very very difficult. I have seen where we will have no delivery person for 3 days on the shipping and receiving dock. Sometimes for the two receivers that we have there will be only one covering without any coverage for the other person for days. Yet I am looking for shifts. It is the same for the Stores positions. He will pull an employee from the Villa that already is working his .775 from his shift and bring him over to cover others work without paying him the over time that is required. I have worked three positions in one day and I can't even count on my fingers how many times this has happened. He won't deal with simple problems that we have as staff. He puts it to the side like our opinions do not matter at all. I have put forth to him many problems that are simple that need to be solved. But they never end up dealt with. For example I asked for a new hole punch for paper and he forbids to get a new one. He fixes it but the next day it breaks. A lot of us have trouble asking for simple supplies.

This winter I would always run to the delivery truck to start it in the -30 weather. I would then run quickly back to the automatic doors to get back inside. The automatic doors ended up not working and only slightly opening which caused me to run full tilt with my face into the doors. I filed an incident report because I was really concussed. I am a runner and run all winter outside in the snow for exercise so I have no problem with ice and running on snow. Besides I have been doing this all winter and this was the first time I have had an accident with the doors. Anyways he approached me about it and didn't even ask if I was okay. He had asked why I was running and not to run again. Which then got me past my boiling point and I went off on him about everything I am telling you now.

Ever since this has happened I have gotten minimal shifts which I usual get almost full time hours. The shifts have gone down to almost one a week. Which is not enough for someone to pay bills or live off of. I am having trouble surviving. I believe this is a matter of now what seems favoritism in the work place. The others feel this way as well but are afraid to bring it forward. I know another female co-worker who feels this way as well. She is not retired and is a casual but gets minimal shifts like I now do. I now feel as if this has come to a critical point to where it should be escalated to HR.

Good thing I found a full time job elsewhere in less than a week!

Okay place to work, if you even halfway do your job you will seldom see your manager. Probably one of the most disorganized and management heavy places I have ever worked. They seem to always be able  to find money  to create new management  positions , or to give themselves raises. For instance  on their statement of remuneration  you will see  a vice president  who made $273,215.90 in salary and $39,434.77 worth of benefits in 2015 go to making $454,876.83 In salary and $64,274.22 worth of benefits in 2016 and, as of 2018 his job title still hasn't changed. Tell me how these outrageous raises are justified and yet the budget for maintenance  keeps shrinking  even though  the buildings  keep getting older. The directors are more concerned with making their paperwork look good on graphs and charts then they are about actually putting systems in place to help you get maintenance done at the facility. The benefits although everyone thinks that they are good actually suck. Among other things the dental rate chart must be from back in the 90s as the rates that they cover 80% of, are nowhere close to what the dentist actually charges. The portion covered for things like orthotic inserts for your boots, chiropractic,  massage and Eyeglasses are also not anywhere near what you will spend on these items. The problem is that the benefits probably won't get much better because there are too many low paying jobs at AHS where the employees would rather see $0.25 an hour on their cheque rather than better benefits. They do have sick time which is a nice benefit to have when you need it. But you have those who abuse it by taking every minute of sick time that they are entitled to. If you don't use all of your sick time ( up to 930 hours that you can bank) and you retire or quit you lose all of it, so there is no reward for having a good attendance record. And don't expect  help  from the Union  because they are only there  to collect their dues  and don't really care whether things are just or not .  This is shown in the fact  that they have no problem  letting you work  for a year or more  with no contract . It is a stable job because people will continue to get sick so there will always be a job (provided they don't need more money for new management positions). So if you can look past all of the Injustice that goes on in this organization and just go in and collect your paycheck you will be okay.

i found the majority of management were competent, and willing to try new ideas for better staffing, retention, training, and improving workplace culture (one place not so much and its why they're having a nightmare). definitely one of the better employers i have had as an experienced nurse who has worked in 2 provinces and a territory so far. i felt supported in my role, and you have ample resources and modular training to refer back to, educators so far have been incredible for on the job training and during onboarding (sounds like a bare minimum but i also came from northern remote jobs where you are literally left to figure it out all on your own and the training is a crash course made by someone who has no business or lacks experience in health care). its a huge employer, if you cant find this in your current role, trying a new one is usually easier to do by trying temporary assignments. your wage, shift differentials, and contract in this province is still probably the best in the country for work conditions and overall quality of life for being a nurse in our country. some hospitals are very old though and lack basic equipment or room functionality. for example you can be in a specialty where the unit was made 40 years ago, theres no lunch or break room for staff, washrooms are tiny, charting rooms non existent, crowding is insane... to then being in newer facilities that have beautiful amenities for breakrooms, washrooms, patient rooms are huge, you arent traveling around the hospital looking for a microwave because your unit actually has one. its really hit or miss, but once again if you find the hit, you can see why people stay and retire and genuinely love where they work because its 5 stars for staff. i also loved going into a specialty, and a big province like alberta with urban cities (Calgary and Edmonton) allow you to do so. tired of urban city living? theres northern and rural work as well. Truly nice to have a big umbrella employer for all of this to allow you to figure out what works in your life. 

I have been with Alberta Health Services for over 14 years in Postpartum in a hospital setting for 2 years and then in Public Health giving vaccinations for 2 years and then specializing in Postpartum Community Health Services ever since.  I am also a Lactation Consultant.  My typical day involves engaging in new moms and babies the day after they leave the hospital and following them up until the baby is 2 months of age if required.  I provide resources, complete Postpartum Depression Screens to moms I feel are at risk.  I also have follow up telephone calls based on prior visits to assess progress and arrange further follow up if necessary.  I work independently, but am able to consult with NTT or SW if needed.  I have learned so much, but I would place emphasis on not judging anyone, learning effective communication skills and I feel and have been told by management many times my assessment skills far exceed expectations in every area.  I am able to develop a quick rapport with clients which is essential.  My co-workers, for me, are another set of eyes on calculating serum bilirubin samples I have collected to ensure no mistakes are made.  The hardest part of my job is that I feel I must complete a full assessment no matter how long it takes, even though management only assigns 1.25 hrs per client.  At times, this can be done if the rest can be done over the phone.  But if I am at a clients' home, I will not have them commute to the office to be seen for the rest of the assessment to be completed.  In being a Lactation Consultant as well, I am well versed in breastfeeding challenges.  Therefore, I will address this issue every visit instead of having my client have to see a co-worker who is not a Lactation Consultant if they are having Breastfeeding difficulties, which the majority of woman do experience.  So I do put in a lot of overtime, but do not claim as it is my choice to give the best care I can, however long it takes. 
The most enjoyable part of my job is when my clients smile and voice relief and empowered by what I have taught or said to them.  This is where I get my motivation to do better.  Management, to my knowledge, does not know for the most part, the excellent client care I provide.

AHS is a huge organization providing most of the hospital based healthcare in Alberta. Foothill's Medical Centre is Calgary's largest hospital, and is a magnet hospital. Every possible service and specialty are here (with the exception of most Pediatrics (There is a Level 3 NICU - Neonatology, and Adolescent Psychiatry on site), Urology (Inpatient Urology is based at Rockyview General Hospital, but Urology Consults take place at FMC), and Vascular Surgery (which is based at Peter Lougheed Centre). University of Calgary Medical School is on site and Health Sciences Library. Great for Students and Residents/ Fellows. All patient care units/ areas are short staffed of Nurses, support staff. Some worse than Others. Burnout is high. Multiple support services (Food Services, etc.) have recently been contracted out and the quality of those services have plummeted.  Management has historically been terrible, but has improved slightly in recent years. Nurses are generally angry due to mandatory overtime, denied vacations, chronic short staffing, and wages not keeping up with sharp cost of living increases in Calgary (and Alberta in General). Facility is HUGE, parking is an issue until you get a spot (waitlist is down to less than a year). Poor morale and attitude due to working conditions. Patients generally frustrated and angry at poor care due to short staffing and resources. Conditions have worsened for patients and staff in recent years. 

I am so disappointed with the culture of AHS.  The bullying that occurs by physicians to RN's RD' working  in out patient clinics, staff so paranoid of loosing their jobs they are unwilling to give a few in/out catheters from an Urgent Center to assist an Evacuation Center, staff being laid off but administration continuing to get their bonuses, expenses and large salaries when we at the front line are giving out of out pocket and out own supplies to clients so that our clients are not going without.  Wo cares for the people who AHS is suppose to be providing services for-the front line workers-but who gets the benefits and bonuses-upper management and administration-how does this work???  The amount of time and energy that is needed to complete what is necessary to work with our patients is exhausting those of us on the front line but if we don't do it -the physicians are not.  This then sets precedent and management expects it continues and provides no support for back up or replacement.   There is no balance and burn out is prevelent
No one is winning it appears except those who come in -create chaos-get the big severance pay and get out
I have been in health care since 1985 -I have never seen such a mess nor such frustration and back stabbing fear amongst the employees.
This has to be fixed, the bullying management and heirachy style that been adapted recently needs to stop

I am disappointed and absolutely embarrassed how AHS represented or rather had lack of representation during the Calgary flood.  I was involved in the first 3 days at an evacuation centre and AHS representation and guidance was no where and had to be begged for -this should not be. There is so much to be learned from this experience and hope will not happen again. There is so much that can be done to ensure that AHS is right along side CEMA in any disaster withing Calgary

For ten years I worked at AHS and met some of the best coworkers I've worked with and genuinely enjoyed my job. Management was hit or miss at first, but the new waves in the past few years was increasingly toxic and prone to micromanagement. Retirements and transfers became common.

Then the covid measures hit, and insne procedures coupled with an increasing workload started to raise burnout. People were tired, but the amount of work still increased. My coworkers and Iwere still able and willing to deal with it though.

Then AHS leadership decides to take my medical decisions into their own hands and forces people to either get vaccinated or take an indeterminate leave of absence. Surely this means they are serious about patient care and are only looking out for the health of the patients, right?

Three to four months later, they rescind this requirement. This means they were doing this to punish those who failed to comply, and not interested in following the science in the first place.

Management / leadership has zero respect for your time, commitment, and well-being. You are a cog, and as soon as you go against their rather arbitrary agenda you will be replaced. If you are aspiring to work there my only hope is that you dont value your individuality because you will have your spirit crushed under the weight of bureaucracy and procedure; all of which is poised to be turned on you as soon as you deviate from the monolith of the company.

Uniting most of Albertas healthcare under one company was a horrific idea and will become a huge problem in the near future if not broken up. The push to centralization without accountability will only lead to increasing mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism in a company already prone to these issues.

I worked for AHS for 10 years in the Mental Health department. Great pay and benefits. If you luck out with a good Sup and Manager then life will be great and you can enjoy your work, helping those in need.

If you get the typical burnt out Counsellor/Therapist unable to support clients any more that gets into a supervisory position where they check boxes and tell front line what to do, be warned.

Toxic management from the top down. Underqualified management and supervisors- promoted by taking internal courses and nepotism.
Area Managers overseeing large parts of Alberta with little/incorrect understanding of Best Practices. 

Very toxic 3rd party whining: you are expected to say that you'd go directly to a co-worker if there's a conflict, but most don't. So management sits down and compiles anything they have on you and throw it all at you, rather than speaking to you immediately about any possibility of directing or training you to improve.

Supervision is almost non-existent other than self-reporting and hours of meetings and meetings about meetings, when you should be actually providing service to clients.

Little regard for clients from management: numbers count though.

Lots of unbelievably lazy co-workers doing the minimum. If you are a go-getter and enjoy serving people in need, prepare to see some terrible "therapy" and "support" from sheepskin-waving cohorts with no actual empathy, ability or enthusiasm to do the job.

I watched many excellent employees who had spent 25+ years serving the public here and working hard get bullied out of their jobs; heartbroken. That was enough for me. I left after getting my Supervisor and Manager written up for lying and bullying. 

I left 100k$ and benefits to go and work for half that and no benefits with no regrets.
Hopefully you get the right boss.Good luck.

I picked a rural area because I hate being in the city. This sort of backfired on me because not a lot goes on here which makes learning skills essential for law enforcement a tad difficult at times which can hinder career growth. Shifts last 12 hours and 12 hours of nothing can be a long time. Outside of routine patrols, the job is mostly just waiting for something to happen and then dealing with it. There isn't a lot in the way of being preventative towards things since you never know when a drunk person will end up in the ER or someone needs to be restrained to the bed. So, unless something comes up, you are patrolling and sitting in the office. I pass my time by watching anime, but I can only watch so much before I need to do something else. A lot of days feel very unfulfilling as a result.

In the event you get to be the mobile officer, you can drive around to other sites in the area which does make the day go by a little faster. Driving the cruiser is cool since no one will dare to pass you on the highway. 

Workplace culture is good at the grunt level. The other officers are all great people to work and chat with. Them all being experienced pretty much guarantees they have the answer to any question I have. 

I very much dislike the way Protective Services is laid out in North Zone. Depending what team you are on, your Sgt. might be your partner or on the other side of the province. It creates an illusion that they aren't as helpful as they might otherwise be. Thankfully 3 of the 4 Sgts. do the best they can over the phone to help you in any way they can.

Most enjoyable part of the job is probably volunteering in recruit classes. Roleplaying for recruits is a great way to give back, and it is fun to do.

Working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health certainly presents its challenges, which dedicated and ethical professionals are generally eager to take on. However, the experience can become significantly hindered when faced with management that seems less competent and possibly negligent. In my experience, some individuals in management and directorial positions at AHS appeared more focused on financial gains than on fostering a supportive and effective work environment.

The compensation at AHS is commendable. Yet, there is a critical issue with the scheduling system, which often disrupts the continuity of patient care and fails to provide a consistent work-life balance for the staff. The rotating shifts of day, night, and evening work, while understandable in a hospital setting, sometimes seem to be assigned in a punitive manner to certain employees.

This scheduling approach often leads to increased staff absenteeism and a reliance on other employees to cover these shifts, frequently at an overtime rate. It appears that AHS struggles with a structural problem, having an excess of middle management and directors whose priorities do not align with the needs of either the patients or the staff.

In conclusion, for those who are deeply committed to providing quality mental health care and value ethical practices, AHS might not be the ideal environment. However, for individuals seeking competitive remuneration and who can adapt to a challenging work schedule, AHS might be a suitable choice. Those who decided to leave AHS was a significant step towards finding a workplace more aligned with high professional and ethical standards.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Registered nurse 29 salaries reported	$50.33 per hour
Infirmier 4 salaries reported	$67.37 per hour
Administrative assistant 9 salaries reported	$27.56 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 15 salaries reported	$34.29 per hour
Paramedic 7 salaries reported	$38.14 per hour

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