Yellowknife’s Stanton Hospital begins search for new leader

Stanton Territorial Hospital has begun searching for a new chief operating officer after Kimberly Riles announced she would transfer back to her “home position” in another division of the NWT’s health authority.

Riles’ departure was first reported by NNSL. She had been the hospital’s chief operating officer since August 2018, and will return to her former post as executive director of clinical integration on the health authority’s territorial operations team.

“The decision was made by Ms Riles based on considerable reflection and discussion with her family for a number of personal and career-related reasons,” a Department of Health and Social Services spokesperson, Damien Healy, said by email.

Riles announced her departure to staff on Monday. She will remain the hospital’s chief operating officer throughout the recruitment process and the transition to a new leader.

Her 18-month term in the role included overseeing the switch to a new $350-million hospital, which opened at the end of May 2019.

The new hospital has faced significant challenges since it opened. Most recently, in mid-December, Cabin Radio reported a series of staff complaints that the building was struggling to cope with cold weather and beset by leaks of waste water.

The health authority appears to be moving quickly to fill the vacancy. A job posting for the role states applications close on January 19.

“The chief operating officer is accountable for providing leadership, strategic direction, policy and program direction, and overarching oversight, including quality and risk assurance, risk management and evaluation to the Stanton Territorial Hospital,” begins the posting, which notes the position is accountable for the quality of care patients receive.

The health authority is looking for someone with a Bachelor of Nursing or Doctor of Medicine degree – or an equivalent – and 10 years of senior management experience, including at least five years in an acute care setting.

The starting salary for the position is $161,675, rising to a maximum of $230,958.