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 4,300 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 General Manager and working collaboratively with the Recreation Manager, the Day Program Manager develops, and updates individualized care plans, provides personal and medication care, and actively monitors resident well-being. This role coordinates daily programs, document care activities, communicate changes promptly, and foster meaningful resident engagement while adapting services to meet evolving needs.
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
Leadership and Team Oversight
- Provides leadership, support, guidance and mentorship to the Day Program team in delivering high-quality resident care and following appropriate procedures.
- Provides oversight and direction to the Day Program team through coordination of work routines to meet the daily needs of residents.
- Conducts and attends team meetings; serves on committees as applicable.
- Ensures team members comply with all relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
- Creates a positive, respective, and supportive environment for all residents and family members.
Core Deliverables
- Develops and updates individualized care plans in conjunction with the Recreation Manager and General Manager, including assessment of current and future resident needs.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of care and reports significant changes to the Director of Care, AHS Case Manager, and family as appropriate.
- Provides personal care assistance, medication administration, nursing procedures, and resident education.
- Coordinates and implements daily programs and engages with residents through meaningful interaction.
- Observes, documents, and reports on resident care, services, and overall well-being.
- Communicates resident concerns to physicians or leadership as needed.
- Maintains recreation equipment, including inventory and basic maintenance.
- Assists with the setup and takedown of events and activities.
- Demonstrates flexibility to meet changing resident needs and apply evidence-based practices.
Optima Community Engagement
- Ensures communication with residents, families and team members is managed effectively, with empathy and responsiveness.
- Meets with residents daily, building relationships and prioritizing meaningful interactions with residents and their families over task completion.
- Solicits regular resident and family feedback from surveys and other means.
Budget and Financial
- Participates in the operational, budgetary, and capital planning processes in conjunction with the Recreation Manager and General Manager.
- Forecasts budget requirements as well as monitors and approves expenditures in conjunction with the Recreation Manager and General Manager.
Quality Assurance
- Performs and evaluates organizational audits and key performance indicators and shares the results for quality improvements.
- Investigates and documents incidents and complaints, ensuring prompt corrective actions
- Manages risks, communicates problems and finds solutions for quality improvements and risk mitigations.
- Reviews external quality and inspection reports in collaboration with the General Manager.
- Maintains accurate records by ensuring necessary documentation and reporting systems are in place.
Operational and Administrative Systems
- Identifies the educational and training needs and collaborates with the Recreation Manager for the Day Program.
- Determines and maintains appropriate staffing levels (as per CBA if applicable) and interviews and hires qualified personnel in consultation with the General Manager.
- Oversees the onboarding and orientation of the team.
- Manages performance evaluations and improvement strategies.
- Ensures team members participation in the annual continuing education program.
- Resolves conflicts and takes appropriate corrective action as needed.
General
- 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.
- 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 and annual mandatory education as assigned.
- Supports new team members through their orientation process.
- Performs other duties as required to support operational needs.
Qualifications & Experience
- Graduate from a recognized Nursing or Allied Health program.
- Minimum of one (1) year leadership experience in a residential care or mental health environment is required.
- Registered in good standing with the respective regulatory body or association.
- Experience in an Adult Day Program setting is an asset.
- Maintains an active CPR and First Aid certification.
- Demonstrates a warm and compassionate demeanor with an understanding of the needs of individual residents.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
- Ability to source and coordinate tools, information, and support systems to optimize the Day Program delivery.
- Ability to provide hands-on education and training.
- Energetic and supportive leader who drives team engagement and morale while consistently leading by example.
- 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.
- Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage priorities effectively.
- Experienced in crisis intervention.
- 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 legislations.
- Ability to safely operate equipment according to established protocols.
- Computer literacy skills required.
- Flexibility to work a variety of shifts including weekends and evenings.
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
