March 22, 2024
See the Health Workforce Strategy highlight on internal turnover
Given AHS’ size and our position leading healthcare delivery in Alberta, 80 per cent of open positions are filled internally. (more...)
New temporary continuing care beds in Olds
AHS and Seasons Encore in Olds have temporarily increased the number of designated supportive living beds in the town. (more...)
Start your wellness journey this spring
Take your health to the next level with Employee and Family Assistance Program’s Jumpstart Your Wellness initiative. (more...)
Mental Wellness Moment - Mental health recovery
Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about available supports and resources for mental health recovery. (more...)
Enhanced email protection rolling out across AHS
Microsoft Defender is rolling out across AHS to protect against phishing, malware and malicious websites. (more...)
AHS IT will soon restrict unapproved applications
To protect AHS systems from security threats, IT will soon block unapproved applications on the AHS network. (more...)
Get ready for the new Microsoft Teams
Starting April 1, the new Microsoft Teams app will become the default for all users. (more...)
Staff parking rate changes on April 1
AHS parking rates for staff and the public will be increased, effective April 1. (more...)
Dialysis hours extended in Wetaskiwin, Lac La Biche
More Albertans with chronic kidney disease can access dialysis close to home with expanded service hours in two communities. (more...)
March 22, 2024
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Given AHS’ size and our position leading healthcare delivery in Alberta, 80 per cent of open positions are filled internally.
Offering internal mobility and growth opportunities are an important part of retention at AHS. However, internal transfers have increased in recent years, putting additional strain on managers, because of the time and resources needed to orient staff to a new role and to backfill open positions. Internal churn can also make it more difficult to bring external applicants into AHS.
Through the Health Workforce Strategy (HWS), we are addressing internal churn through retention initiatives and leader supports. Please contact your HRBP advisor to learn more. We are also exploring ways to streamline and centralize orientation to help take some of this workload off managers.
Learn more about retention initiatives through the Health Workforce Strategy.
AHS and Seasons Encore in Olds have temporarily increased the number of designated supportive living beds in the town, as part of ongoing efforts to address capacity pressures in acute care facilities.
Nine new designated supportive living beds were added at Seasons Encore on March 1 to support patients who no longer need acute care services and can be transitioned to more appropriate sites of care. Those waiting in community settings, such as a home or lodge, who require a higher level of care may also be placed into these temporary spaces.
These nine spaces will remain operational for a 12-month period, during which time they will help maintain capacity in acute care at sites throughout AHS Central Zone.
Spring is here, which means warmer weather and more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re looking to reintroduce outdoor activities into your daily routine, explore available resources offered through EFAP’s Jumpstart Your Wellness program. Through a self-directed approach, this initiative empowers you to build healthy habits while embracing a holistic approach to your well-being.
Contact the EFAP’s intake line at 1-877-273-3134 to get personalized support provided by specialists who can assist you in your wellness journey. Physicians can contact the AMA Physician and Family Support Program, a confidential 24/7 support line, at 1-877-SOS-4MDS for options and support.
Questions? Contact wellness@ahs.ca.
In this Mental Wellness Moment, Dr. Nicholas Mitchell — Provincial Medical Director for Addiction and Mental Health with AHS — talks about what mental health recovery can look like, and outlines available supports and resources for individuals in mental health recovery.
Microsoft Defender is rolling out across AHS to protect against phishing, malware and malicious websites. Two notable features include:
Safe Attachments: Email attachments will be scanned to ensure they are safe. This process may result in a short delay before the attachment is available to open.
Safe Links: This feature protects web links in Microsoft Outlook, Teams and Office.
These features will be turned on for all AHS email users automatically.
Questions? E-mail ahs.messagingservices@ahs.ca.
To protect AHS systems from security threats, IT will soon block unapproved applications on the AHS network.
If you use an unapproved application while on the AHS network, you will see the pop-up window below.
The pop-up warns about potential security risks and gives you the option to “Allow” or “Block” access.
If you receive this pop-up, please contact the IT Service Desk as soon as possible. AHS will soon begin blocking access to all unauthorized applications on the AHS network. If you need to continue accessing any unapproved applications for work purposes, the service desk can help you remediate and ensure you don’t lose access to the app.
To learn more about the AHS Application Control program, visit Insite.
Starting April 1, the new Microsoft Teams app (New Teams) will become the default for AHS staff. This change will be rolled out to AHS users in batches over a few weeks.
The new Teams application provides a faster, simpler user experience. We encourage users to try the updated app now by selecting the “Try the new Teams” toggle button in the upper left corner of Teams.
Microsoft will be retiring classic Teams at the end of June. After New Teams becomes the default, users will still have the option to switch back to classic Teams until mid-May. Anyone who switches back to classic Teams will automatically be upgraded to New Teams once the classic application is retired.
Learn more about Microsoft Teams on Insite and read about the updated features.
AHS parking rates for staff and the public will be increased, effective April 1.
Staff who are paying for parking through payroll deductions will see the parking rate changes take effect on their March 25 pay period in e-People. Parking rates will be adjusted between 3.18 and 3.3 per cent.
Some staff can use personal spending accounts for transit expenses. If you are interested in other options, such as accessing designated carpooling parking spots at select facilities, or temporarily suspending parking fees if using alternative transportation methods, please visit Insite.
These adjustments are crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our parking services and accommodate inflationary pressures. No healthcare funds are allocated for parking services at AHS facilities, and all associated costs, including maintenance and construction of new parkades, are self-funded.
Please find more on this in frequently asked questions.
More Albertans with chronic kidney disease can access dialysis close to home with expanded service hours in two communities.
The dialysis unit at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre is now open seven days a week, up from six, creating capacity for 12 additional patients to receive the treatment. Hours at the William J. Cadzow – Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre were also extended, creating capacity for six additional patients.
The additional hours in Wetaskiwin and Lac La Biche represent examples of how dialysis services are expanding provincewide to serve more patients. Alberta Kidney Care-North provides assessment, treatment, and follow-up for people with kidney problems in a geographical area that includes central and northern Alberta, where more than 182,000 facility-based hemodialysis treatments were delivered last year.
