Administrator appreciates support from interim DOC
Almonte recruiting for director of care position Wednesday April 2, 2008 -- Natalie Miller
A semi-retired experienced nurse has stepped up to the plate to fill the position of director of care (DOC) until Almonte Country Haven finds a permanent replacement.

Jean Byers, who was currently working a few shifts a week, decided to take on the role of acting DOC to help the Almonte long-term care home stay on track as it puts out the call for the new manager. Byers says when administrator Rick Gourlie asked her to take on the role she agreed despite being quite comfortable with her few shifts a week.

“I didn't want to leave him high and dry,” says Byers about Gourlie.

“You have to keep up the administrative” part of the job. “It's quite interesting but it's a very busy job.”

Byers, who joined Almonte Country Haven in October 2001, has been liaising with the front-line and nursing staff members, interviewing potential personal support worker employees for the summer and working on quality improvements “to help make the place run smoothly.”

Gourlie says he is grateful to have Byers step in to fill the interim position.

“She has been able to maintain a sense of calm and order,” says Gourlie.

“From my perspective, having a consistent person come in helps with the transition.” The administrator says there's a real value provided by having a person serve in that capacity while the search is on for a permanent replacement. The staff members know Byers and she's straight-forward, says Gourlie. “The immediacy and the here and now is what she's looking at. She holds people accountable. She truly buys into the role.”

In the meantime, Gourlie is reviewing resumes he has received through advertising in the local newspaper and through word of mouth.

He expects to involve Byers in the orientation of the new DOC once the candidate is selected and appreciates her willingness to assist him during this period. “To that end, I'm eternally indebted to her.”

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