Job Description

Interior Health is hiring a term-specific full-time

Surgical Process Improvement Lead

who is passionate about making a difference in healthcare. The end date of this position is approximately February 2027 or return of incumbent.




Location: This position is located at Kelowna General Hospital.

What we offer:

An attractive remuneration package Excellent career prospects Employer paid training/education Employer paid vacation Employer paid insurance premiums Extended Health & Dental coverage Work-life balance May be eligible to contribute to MPP, if previously enrolled within 30 days

Salary range for the position is $88,990 to $127,923. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

Come join our team and see why we're one of

Canada's Top 100 Employers

! Explore our extensive benefits, career growth opportunities, and lifestyle in one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Canada. Ready to love where you live and work? Join our team today!

How will you create an impact:

The Surgical Process Improvement Lead prepares and coordinates high priority surgical and endoscopy initiatives from initial planning though to implementation and evaluation at the regional, site or community level. The Lead is also accountable to and responsible for status reporting to the Interior Health (IH) Surgical Network for the execution of priority provincial, IH and local site strategies. The Site Lead leads local teams and working groups and ensures the involvement and participation of key partners including clinicians, medical staff, and support staff through all the project stages of initiative implementation to ensure that projects are delivered within scope, cost, time, and quality. The Site Lead will be required to lead or coordinate multiple projects and/or initiatives simultaneously.




The Site Lead works with administrative and clinical leaders from across IH and key partners (including physicians) at the site and in the community to facilitate ongoing collaboration, the potential to standardize approaches, and apply change management requirements. Additionally, the Site Lead develops and populates project charters, completes volume and wait times monitoring and forecasting analysis, provides status updates, briefing papers, workplans and reports, and ensures the timely and effective implementation of decisions and communication between various working groups, teams, key partners, site leadership, and the IH Surgical Network.



In alignment with IH's Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to your manager or supervisor immediately.

What will you work on:

Under the direction of the site Director and liaising with the IH Surgical Network, provides leadership and direction to projects, including the development of project teams, and site specific implementation for high priority IH and provincial surgical and GI endoscopy strategy implementation.


Applies process improvement, project management and change management methodologies to ensure initiatives are completed in a timely manner and result in quantifiable improvements.


Analyzes key strategies, initiatives, and opportunities and provides feedback to the Director and the IH Surgical Network on the feasibility and requirements for the achievement of objectives at a site level. Identifies and analyzes gaps in service delivery and provides recommendations for mitigation of issues.


Provides regular updates to the Director and the IH Surgical Network on implementation status and issues encountered in any project area related to surgery or GI endoscopy.


Prepares formal reports including regular volume and forecasting reports, decision briefs, project charters, needs assessment, gap analysis, work plans, summary of programs and service areas, cost estimates, status updates, and escalates issues for resolution within the local site and Network leadership teams. Measures progress towards goals and objectives and identifies key factors that account for any deviation from them. Works with the IH Surgical Network, other site leaders, key staff, and physicians on remediation and implementation.


Liaises with internal and external partners to ensure full participation in the project area including facility staff, medical staff, consultants, community programs, internal communications consultants, and the IH Surgical Network. Facilitates consensus within the site and collaborates with Department, Portfolio, and subject-area experts and leaders to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to the planning and implementation of initiatives within Surgical and GI Endoscopy Services. Works collaboratively with site management, clinicians, and their staff, to champion change and ensures transparent communication to all parties.


Conducts literature reviews and gathers information related to relevant standards, initiatives, best practices, benchmarks, policies, and code requirements to ensure that information is available to project participants. Promotes consistent processes and continuous improvement of practices throughout the delivery of surgical services at the site. Shares learning with leaders from other hospitals and the IH Surgical Network.


Collaborates with departments outside of surgery and GI Endoscopy/ACU areas to identify, develop, implement, evaluate, and report on the impact and outcomes of key IH and provincial strategies.


Participates in Health Authority-wide committees and working groups as required. Works collaboratively with other change and project management leaders and experts to ensure integration of IH principles in planning and execution. Links with similar positions at other sites and the IH Surgical Network to identify opportunities to partner on implementation of key provincial initiatives.


In alignment with IH's Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.


Interior Health strives to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. Together, we create great workplaces.

Apply today!

Honouring Interior Health's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit).

Education, Training and Experience

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master's degree is preferred. Formal education and/or experience in leading project management and change management processes is desired. Five years of recent, related experience working within a complex public or private sector environment. Recent experience leading system change in a regional Health Authority, hospital, or community health setting is a significant asset.

Skills and Abilities

Project management skills and in depth knowledge of project management concepts, methods, practices, and tools. Ability to provide leadership to others in a team setting. Broad knowledge of healthcare and public system/service delivery models. Excellent communication skills including the ability to facilitate, negotiate, and influence others both internal and external to the organization. Superior verbal and written communication skills are required. Ability to effectively present and clarify requirements and gain support for expectations, ideas, and concepts with various audiences/partners. Ability to orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish results. Ability to create and achieve results by engaging and influencing individual, group, or departmental goals. Ability to inspire and guide individuals toward goal achievement. Knowledgeable of policies, practices, trends, and information affecting healthcare service delivery and/or Interior Health. Ability to develop and communicate solutions/responses to diverse problems/requests. Ability to effectively explore alternatives in order to make appropriate decisions. Ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and provide timely responses to partners. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position. Ability to work independently and engage partners and staff from all areas in problem solving and planning. Ability to resolve conflict effectively to move work forward with a common goal between partners. Ability to monitor, analyze, interpret, and present data to inform key decisions. Advanced computer skills, including strong experience and knowledge of Excel and Word applications, are required. * Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.