Anesthesia Assistant, Perioperative Services, Operating Room – Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

CHEO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa is seeking an Anesthesia Assistant to support physicians in delivering anesthetic care across procedures. You will prepare equipment, set up lines, monitor anesthesia, assist in complex cases, and help with transport and postoperative care.

The role emphasizes teamwork, patient safety, and ongoing education, with opportunities to participate in teaching and research activities within a leading pediatric health system.

Qualifications

• Certification as Anesthesia Assistant or eligible within two years of hire.
• Minimum one year of Anesthesia Assistant experience preferred.
• Pediatric critical care experience preferred.
• CRTO membership is essential.
• Current BCLS and CPR certifications required.
• CSRT membership preferred.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and collaborative practice skills.
• Commitment to continuing education, including independent learning.
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) essential.
• Bilingualism French/English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Anesthesia Care Team to provide anesthesia and sedation for CHEO patients.
• Prepare, maintain equipment and provide technical support for anesthetic care.
• Set up IV lines, invasive monitoring sets and anesthetic meds.
• Assist with induction of anesthesia, monitor placement and airway management.
• Assist with monitoring during anesthesia and recovery; draw blood as required.
• Assist with cardiac surgery and catheterization procedures as needed.
• Administer blood products as required.
• Coordinate transport for procedures at CHEO and off-site.
• Support specialized anesthetic techniques and manage difficult cases.
• Participate in Quality Management and Research initiatives.
• Contribute to student and resident education.
• Rotate shifts and call as required.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Clinical anesthesia support

Interpersonal skills

Bilingualism (French/English)

Team collaboration

Education

Clinical Anesthesia Assistant Certification

CRTO membership

CSRT membership

Tools

BCLS certification

CPR Certification

Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3)

Job description

Compensation Pay Range:

$43.74-$54.08

Job Description:

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

CHEO is one of the few stand‑alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.

Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world‑class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns.

CHEO has been named Canada’s best health‑care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Anesthesia Assistant possesses a variety of clinical and technical skills which supports the physicians in the delivery of anesthetic care and sedation needs within the hospital.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work within the Anesthesia Care Team to provide anesthesia and sedation for CHEO patients.
• Prepare, maintain equipment and provide technical support for anesthetic care;
• Set up intravenous lines, invasive monitoring sets, and anesthetic medications.
• Performs activities such as the provision of conscious sedation, administration of anesthetic gases and medications, insertion and management of arterial lines and assessment of depth of anesthesia under the supervision of the Anesthesiologist and under the authority of medical directives
• Assist with the induction of anesthesia, placement of monitors, intravenous cannulation, arterial and central venous line insertion, drug administration, airway management, intubation, laryngeal mask airway placement, and positioning of the patient.
• Assist with the monitoring of the patient during anesthesia and recovery; drug administration; interpret parameters and respond appropriately; draw blood specimens as required.
• Assist with the cardiac surgery and cardiac catheterization cases including preparation of vasoactive medications and provision of nitric oxide.
• Administer blood and blood products as required.
• Facilitate the transport needs for patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures at CHEO and off site.
• Assist with specialized anesthetic techniques and difficult cases. (e.g., epidural insertion, spinal anesthetics for premature infants, anticipated difficult airways and other emergencies).
• Set up and monitor blood scavenging system for major surgery involving significant blood loss.
• Participate in Quality Management and Research initiatives
• Participate in the education of students and residents
• Participate in a rotation of shifts and call,
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Clinical Anesthesia Assistant Certification required, or ability to obtain certification within two years from date of hire (Essential)
• A minimum one-year experience as an Anesthesia Assistant preferred. Relevant experience and equivalencies may be considered(Preferred)
• Pediatric critical care experience (Preferred)
• Member of the College of Respiratory Therapy or the College of Nurses of Ontario (Essential)
• Current BCLS certification (Essential)
• Current CPR Certification (Essential)
• Member in good standing with CRTO (essential)
• Member in good standing with CSRT (preferred)
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and collaborative practice skills (Essential)
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education, including independent learning (Essential)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)

*Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre‑screening. Pre‑screening might include testing.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre‑screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.