Vice President, Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer - Lake of the Woods District Hospital

THE ORGANIZATION

Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) is a 77-bed acute care hospital located in Kenora, Ontario, on the shores of beautiful Lake of the Woods. Staffed by an incredibly dedicated team, LWDH provides quality patient-centered care to residents of the City of Kenora, surrounding communities and the large seasonal population. LWDH is a fully accredited hospital under the national standards of Accreditation Canada.

The LWDH Emergency Department (ED) provides 24-hour care for those requiring emergency or urgent care and since 2023 has operated a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Service to address seasonal surges in patient volumes and decrease ED wait times. Patients attending the ED who are triaged as less acute, with a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale score of 4 or 5 may be seen by NPs. 

Outpatient services include rehabilitation, dialysis, chemotherapy and surgical services and a gold standard slate of diagnostic imaging services, now including MRI. LWDH also supports a busy visiting specialist program and community Mental Health & Addictions programming.

LWDH has 24-hour air ambulance and medical transport service provided by Ornge. There are helipads on five First Nation communities and five district communities in the district. 

LWDH works very closely as a key member of the All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team and with a broad range of local and regional health organizations, including a collaborative regional hospital network.

With a physical hospital facility nearing 100 years in some parts, and with six expansions added over time to accommodate the growing needs of the population, LWDH has arrived at a point in time where a new facility is necessary.  With reconciliation also motivating this comprehensive development, LWDH is working in partnership with Ogimaawabiitong Kenora Chiefs Advisory, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the City of Kenora and its communities to plan a much-needed new hospital to best meet the needs of the area.  In May 2025, the Province of Ontario announced a $50 million investment to move the new hospital project into the Detailed Design and Procurement phases.

The population served by LWDH includes approximately 35,000 in Kenora and the surrounding communities, including the 10 First Nations, Sioux Narrows Nestor Falls, Minaki, Reddit and the rural areas. In summer months, the population swells to over 70,000 including many seasonal residents and the tourist population. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

LWDH is seeking a strong and proactive leader to serve as the Vice President, Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer (VP & CNO) for this full-time and permanent role. Reporting to the President and CEO, the VP & CNO holds direct responsibility and accountability for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of the delivery of patient-centred care across all programs. This role oversees nursing departments, Rehabilitation, Pharmacy and the Mental Health & Addictions portfolio, and a total team of approximately 250 people.

As a key member of the executive team, the VP & CNO will advise senior leadership and the board of directors on a range of clinical nursing and professional practice issues and initiatives. They will create and inform on the nursing practice vision, strategy, and direction, and will lead the implementation of the Hospital’s Clinical Management Study recommendations, which focuses on optimizing organizational structure to strengthen patient care leadership.

IDEAL REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional professionalism, composure, diplomacy, and adaptability, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and will challenge norms to advance patient care innovation.

●      Registered Nurse and member in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario required; RNAO membership preferred.

●      Post-secondary degree in a health profession, health administration or related field; Master’s in Nursing preferred.

●      Minimum 10 years of recent clinical and professional practice experience combined with a minimum of 5 years of progressive administrative leadership with evidence of collaborative, team-based health care leadership.

●      Extensive experience in change management and in advancing clinical services within an acute hospital setting.

●      Expertise with Patient Family Centred Care principles and practices, and with a range of nursing leadership initiatives such as best practices, models of care, patient safety, process improvement and return time to care.

●      Self-directed, initiative-taking leader with ability to solve complex problems and lead innovative solutions for best care.

●      Strong emotional intelligence and ability to self-manage; effective time management and organizational skills.

●      Exceptional interpersonal and public relations skills; excellent written and oral communication, and proficiency with software applications, including Microsoft suite.

●      Demonstrated commitment to ongoing continuing education and professional development.

This is a job posting for an existing role/vacancy. LHH Knightsbridge does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.

LWDH is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and belongingness in our operations, throughout our workplace, and seeks to employ individuals who are committed to and value these principles.

LWDH values the importance of creating a workplace that reflects the population it serves and promotes the representation of the Employment Equity groups as outlined by the Employment Equity Act (1993).

LWDH believes in and promotes the rights of all persons with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA 2005) and its related Accessibility Standards Regulations. Should you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the hiring process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team.