Operating Room Manager

Established in 1984, Mitchell Eye Centre continues to be one of the most advanced eye care practices in Calgary. Opening its first operating room in 1990 and laser centre in 1993, Mitchell Eye Centre consistently uses only the most advanced and innovative technology available for the treatment of eye conditions and diseases. Their new location inside the Poplar Centre is the most sophisticated facility in the province and among the best in Western Canada.

Employment Type: Part-Time (15-20 hours per week)

Direct Reports: Yes

Position Summary

The Operating Room Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day leadership and operation of the ophthalmology operating room. This position ensures that surgical services are delivered safely, efficiently, consistently, and in accordance with applicable professional, regulatory, infection prevention, privacy, and organizational standards.

The Operating Room Manager provides leadership to the OR team, coordinates surgical schedules and resources, supports physicians and surgical teams, monitors patient flow and operating room efficiency, and ensures the appropriate staffing, equipment, supplies, and processes are in place to support high-quality patient care.

The successful candidate will be an experienced healthcare leader who is highly organized, calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operating Room Operations

• Oversee the daily operations of the ophthalmology operating room.
• Ensure operating rooms are appropriately prepared, staffed, equipped, and operational for scheduled procedures.
• Coordinate daily surgical lists and optimize operating room utilization.
• Monitor patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge.
• Identify and resolve operational issues that may affect surgical flow or patient experience.
• Ensure appropriate room turnover and efficient utilization of surgical time.
• Coordinate with physicians, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, surgical coordinators, and other departments.
• Monitor delays, cancellations, room utilization, turnover times, and other operational metrics.
• Participate in operational planning for new procedures, equipment, physicians, or changes in surgical volume.
• Lead, coach, and support OR nursing and support teams.
• Develop staffing schedules based on surgical volume, physician requirements, employee skill mix, and operational needs.
• Ensure appropriate coverage for surgical lists, breaks, vacation, sick time, and other absences.
• Establish clear expectations regarding performance, professionalism, teamwork, and patient care.
• Conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews.
• Address performance concerns promptly and in accordance with organizational policies.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training of OR employees.
• Identify opportunities for professional development and cross-training.
• Foster a positive, respectful, collaborative, and accountable team culture.

3. Surgical Safety & Quality

• Promote a strong culture of patient safety and surgical quality.
• Ensure compliance with surgical safety protocols, including appropriate patient identification, procedure verification, surgical site verification, and surgical time-outs.
• Monitor compliance with infection prevention and control procedures.
• Ensure appropriate cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and environmental standards are maintained.
• Ensure appropriate handling, storage, and tracking of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Participate in incident reporting, investigation, and follow-up.
• Identify opportunities to reduce clinical and operational risk.

4. Infection Prevention & Control

• Ensure OR practices comply with applicable infection prevention and control standards.
• Monitor adherence to hand hygiene, PPE, environmental cleaning, sterilization, and aseptic technique requirements.
• Work collaboratively with infection prevention resources and leadership.
• Ensure appropriate processes are followed for instrument reprocessing and sterilization.
• Investigate and escalate infection‑control concerns promptly.

5. Equipment & Supplies

• Ensure adequate availability of surgical supplies, medications, instruments, implants, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory levels, ensuring that special order items are always in stock.
• Coordinate ordering and replenishment of surgical supplies.
• Work with vendors regarding equipment, supplies, maintenance, and service issues.
• Monitor equipment functionality and ensure required preventative m