Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 6, 2017)
Here are some of the reasons why Alberta Health Services / AHS was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2018) and Alberta's Top Employers (2018) :
- Alberta Health Services helps employees plan securely for the future with retirement planning assistance and contributions to a defined benefit pension plan -- and offers phased-in work options for employees nearing retirement
- Alberta Health Services recently established a diversity and inclusion council and is working to develop partnerships with community organizations to facilitate work placements for new Canadians and persons with intellectual disabilities
- Many Alberta Health Services employees receive 3 weeks of vacation to start, moving to 4 weeks after only 2 to 3 years of employment -- and can take advantage of paid personal days off, which can be scheduled at employees' discretion

Alberta Health Services employees participating in the organization's annual flu clinic
Employer Background
Industry | Healthcare Services |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Fort McMurray AB, Medicine Hat AB, Lethbridge AB, Grande Prairie AB, Edmonton AB, Calgary AB, Red Deer AB, Ponoka AB |
Full-time employees in Canada | 43,975 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 30,310 |
Workforce engaged on a contract basis | 28.97% |
Average age of employees in Canada | 42.32 years |
Longest serving employee | 56.7 years |
Physical Workplace Rating: A
Commuter amenities | online car-pool sign-up, secure/sheltered bicycle parking |
Workplace features | situated on a 44 acre campus, the hospital opened in 2013 and was designed to LEED standards, the hospital features rainwater collection, native plantings (eliminate need for pesticides) digital lighting control system, telecommuter workstations, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio |
Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, television, single-serve coffee machines on every floor |
Onsite cafeteria | healthy menus, special diet menus |
Onsite fitness facility | shared use facility, subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (spin, step aerobics, zumba, yoga), rowing machines, weights, basketball court, strength and conditioning centre, general and family locker rooms, indoor running track, indoor climbing wall, wellness kitchen, knowledge resource service |
Other nearby amenities | Seton Recreational Facility, fitness club, Fish Creek Provincial Park, daycare, restaurants, shopping mall |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B
Recent social events | annual Christmas party, comedy nights, employee recognition week, numerous local awards and events throughout the year such as the "Great Teams Great Care" contest and celebration, "President's Excellence Awards" lunch, and the "Spirit Awards of Excellence" celebration |
Cultural aspects | employee sports teams, business casual dress, casual dress Fridays, music while working, can bring pets to work when needed |
Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box, internal social media |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A
Financial benefits note | Alberta Health Services / AHS has multiple employee groups, financial benefits may vary by position |
Long-term savings | defined-benefit (DB) pension, matching RSP |
Long-term planning | retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options, life & disability insurance |
Additional financial benefits | recruitment bonuses for pharmacists (to $6,000 for 1 year relocation to rural suburban locations), home computer and software discounts, fitness club membership discounts, various corporate discounts (from dinners to tires) |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: B+
Health plan note | Alberta Health Services / AHS has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 75% of the premiums |
Waiting period for coverage | 30 days |
Dental coverage | routine, restorative, orthodontics |
Traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs) | yes |
Additional coverage | employee assistance (EAP) plan, semi-private hospital room, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. accupuncture, naturopathy) |
Other health plan information | smoking cessation prescription drugs (to $3,000) |
Family-friendly benefits note | Alberta Health Services / AHS has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 95% of salary for 8 weeks |
Alternative work options | flexible work hours, compressed work week, telecommuting |
Additional family-friendly information | 3 locations also have onsite daycare facilities for employees, flexible work options vary by position |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: A
Vacation note | Alberta Health Services / AHS has multiple employee groups, vacation policies may vary by position |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Vacation jump | vacation increases after 2 years of employment |
Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation over their career |
Previous experience | considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees |
Personal paid days off | employees can schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed |
Unpaid leave of absence option | yes |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: A
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months |
Managers receive performance review training | yes |
360° feedback option | as part of the review process, performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work |
Confidential employee feedback | employees can also provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance |
Exit interview | exit interview option is available for departing employees |
Performance recognition | peer-to-peer recognition awards, long-service awards, Spirit Award of Excellence, Certificate of Excellence, President's Excellence Awards |
In-house survey period | in-house surveys are conducted every 24 months |
Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 24 months |
Training & Skills Development Rating: A
In-house training initiatives | apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, mentoring, in-house training, online training, leadership training, paid internships, subsidies for professional accreditation |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Tuition subsidies (unrelated to job) | yes |
Financial bonuses for course completions | yes |
Community Involvement Rating: B+
Scope of charitable involvement | local, national, international |
Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities |
Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 166 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
Some of the community organizations supported | United Way (employees can direct their donations to specific initiatives supported by the annual campaign), Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House |
Community highlight | Alberta Health Services' primary charitable effort is focused on supporting the annual United Way campaign, raising over $400,000 last year. Employees who choose to participate can designate their donations to specific charities funded through the campaign. Additionally, through the "WinWin50" staff lottery, employees across the province helped raise over $2.2 million for over 145 foundations, programs and local facilities. |
Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People
By Kristina Leung and Richard Yerema, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Feb 8, 2018)
Here are some of the reasons why Alberta Health Services / AHS was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2018):
- Alberta Health Services manages a Transitional Graduate Nurse Program, a residency program to provide organizational, clinical and social support to recent Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse graduates -- remote retention allowances are available for some locations and graduates working in rural communities may qualify for up to $20,000 in Canada Student Loan Forgiveness
- Additionally, the organization has developed a number of resources to help graduates transition to the workplace, including a transition guide, a companion document that features tips to enhance their learning experience, and dedicated learning plans
- Through a longstanding partnership with CAREERS: The Next Generation, Alberta Health Services hosts high school students at a summer health career exploration camp, with learning opportunities in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Grande Prairie

Alberta Health Services employee holds up her selection card to help choose the organization's vision
Highlights
Industry | Healthcare Services |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Fort McMurray AB, Medicine Hat AB, Lethbridge AB, Grande Prairie AB, Edmonton AB, Calgary AB, Red Deer AB, Ponoka AB |
Full-time employees in Canada | 43,975 |
Student opportunities | summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Career development | in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership training, apprenticeship/skilled trades programs |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Unique initiatives | a number of residency programs in various fields including pharmacy, clinical psychology and physician, internships for undergraduate psychology students who have completed their 3rd year of study, partnerships to recruit Indigenous youth such as participation in careers fairs, job-shadowing programs, and academic scholarships and bursaries |
The Career Directory
Alberta Health Services / AHS has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

AHS Human Resources Analyst
Highlights for New Grads
Industry | Healthcare Services |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Fort McMurray AB, Medicine Hat AB, Lethbridge AB, Grande Prairie AB, Edmonton AB, Calgary AB, Red Deer AB, Ponoka AB |
Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training |
Other info for new grads | AHS provides a wide range of learning opportunities for students including clinical and non-clinical student placements, research projects, residencies, co-op work terms, job shadowing, high school work experience, health science career camps, and undergraduate nursing employment, to name a few. |
Typical new grad positions | Analyst, Assistant, Cook, Diagnostic Sonographer, Dietitian, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Care Aide, Laboratory Technologist, Licensed Practical Nurse, Maintenance Worker, Occupational Therapist, Power Engineer, Psychologist, Registered Nurse, Researcher, Respiratory Therapist, Social Worker, Speech and Language Pathologist, Surgical Processor, Therapy Aide, Unit Clerk |
Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
-
Bachelor of Science
- Audiology
- Environmental
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Kinesiology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
-
Community College Diploma
- Ambulance / Emergency Medical Care
- Business
- Dietitian / Nutrition
- Health Care Aide (HCA)
- Health Sciences (Other)
- Information Technology
- Laboratory Technician
- Orthotics / Prosthetics
- Other Trades
- Pharmacy Technician
- Radiation Therapy
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Social Worker / DSW
- Ultrasound Technician
-
Master of Science
- Audiology
- Health Sciences
- Kinesiology
- Microbiology
- Nursing / Health Administration
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
-
Secondary Education
- High School Diploma