Director, Acute Assessment​/Access

Wa ypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 321-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

The Vice President, Integrated Health Delivery Systems & Chief Clinical Supports Officer is currently seeking a Director, Acute Assessment Programs and Access & Flow. The purpose of the position is to provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the operation of multiple clinical programs, including planning, implementation, integration, and evaluation of services to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care, treatment, and rehabilitation in a safe environment.

This role leads the development, execution, and evaluation of regional health system capacity initiatives, as well as Waypoint's access, flow, and housing strategies.

Please Note: This position offers a hybrid work environment consisting of in-office and remote work. Office location is 500 Church Street Penetanguishene ON.

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for the Acute Care Programs, Patient/Client Access & Flow department, Housing services, and the Resource (“Float”) team, ensuring they operate cohesively to meet organizational goals.
• Lead the planning, implementation, integration, and evaluation of departmental programs and services, ensuring alignment with Waypoint’s Strategic Plan, operational priorities, and corporate values.
• Establish clear strategic priorities and operational objectives for each portfolio area and translate them into actionable work plans with measurable outcomes.
• Develop and manage annual departmental budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship and alignment with corporate priorities.
• Determine appropriate staffing levels, lead recruitment and retention strategies, and oversee professional development to ensure departmental capacity meets current and future needs.

• Accountable for achieving and sustaining key strategic metrics such as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) throughput and rates, occupancy levels, length of stay, and other utilization measures that support timely and effective patient flow.
• Oversee Central Intake operations to ensure smooth patient transitions from referral to admission to discharge, with processes that are responsive, efficient, and patient-centred.
• Partner with Ontario Health – Central, Ministry of Health, and regional health system partners to design and implement quality improvement initiatives, operational best practices, and innovative solutions to improve patient flow and system integration.
• Leverage system-level relationships to identify and implement programs or partnerships that expand service capacity and reduce barriers to timely care, including housing access.

• Lead the development and execution of Waypoint’s housing strategy, ensuring it supports patient recovery, discharge planning, and staff/student accommodation needs where appropriate.
• Oversee Housing Coordinator and housing-related teams to align service delivery with Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care requirements, corporate strategies, and equity principles.
• Build and maintain partnerships with housing providers, home operators, municipalities, and community agencies to expand availability and suitability of housing options for patients/clients.
• Advocate for housing as a critical enabler of improved access and flow in the mental health system, addressing it as a systemic barrier to timely discharge.
• Develop…