Registered Practical Nurse, Perioperative Services – Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

CHEO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa is seeking an OR Registered Practical Nurse to join the perioperative team in the scrub role. You will support preoperative assessment, prepare instruments, assist with positioning, and maintain aseptic technique to ensure patient safety throughout surgery.

The role requires current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario, BCLS certification, and pediatric OR experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ recent operating room experience (ENT, Urology, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Oral Surgery).
• Pediatric OR experience preferred.
• Post‑diploma OR technique program required.
• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Current BCLS certification.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and commitment to patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preoperative assessment of patient status.
• Provide emotional support to family pre‑operatively.
• Follow aseptic techniques and hospital policies.
• Scrub role duties: select supplies, prepare instrumentation, assist with draping.
• Maintain sterile field and assist with intraoperative tasks and post‑surgical routines.
• Assist with patient positioning and charting of specimens.
• Provide preceptorship for student nurses and participate in staff orientation.
• Engage in quality improvement activities within the unit.

Skills

Operating Room Experience

Team Collaboration

Aseptic Technique

Communication Skills

Nursing Fundamentals

Education

Post‑diploma Operating Room Technique Program

Registration with College of Nurses in Ontario

BCLS certification

Job description

Compensation Pay Range:

$30.41-$37.35

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 OR Registered Practical Nurse functions as a member of the OR health care team, primarily in the scrub role, in keeping with the mission statement of the hospital, and within his/her scope of practice. The OR RPN demonstrates knowledge of general nursing theory, aseptic technique, surgical instrumentation, OR Standards of Practice and hospital policies.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct preoperative assessment of patient status as required
• Provide emotional support to the family pre‑operatively as appropriate
• Practices according to the accepted standards from the College of Nurses, ORNAC, the Hospital and the Surgical PSU
• Perform the duties of the scrub role including preparation for the surgical procedure, selection of appropriate supplies, equipment and instrumentation, aseptic handling of sterile supplies, providing assistance with draping of the patient, anticipation of the needs of the surgical team, provision of medication as required on the sterile field, awareness of appropriate safety precautions for the patient, and maintenance of the sterile field during surgery
• Ensure that the surgical count is carried out before the incision is made, is correct at the end of a procedure and that the follow‑up is appropriate if not, including documentation as per the policy
• Assist with positioning of the patient, application of padding, positioning aids, warming devices, and security aids post surgery.
• Complete computer charting and cataloguing of specimens as required
• Carry out post‑surgical routines within the RPN role as required, including appropriate loading of used equipment on the case cart, and provision of assistance with theatre between‑case cleaning
• Provide preceptorship for post‑diploma RPN students in the scrub role, as they complete their clinical requirements.
• Participate in the orientation of new staff
• Keep abreast of best practices by participation in professional growth activities: staff inservices and education days, surgical and nursing journals, new OR surgical procedures, or in collaboration with the OR Educator
• Participate in Quality Improvement activities within the unit
• Identify of areas of risk within the Perioperative setting

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of two (2) years recent Operating Room Experiences in all basic services (ENT, Urology, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Oral Surgery) (Preferred)
• Previous pediatric OR experience (Preferred)
• Post‑diploma Operating Room Technique Program (Essential)
• Current Registration with the College of Nurses in Ontario (Essential)
• Current BCLS certification (Essential)
• Positive references which reflect interest in learning, teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills (Essential)
• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of safe medication administration as appropriate (Essential)
• Demonstrate the ability to participate as an active member of the health‑care team (Essential)
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively in an oral and a written format with patients, public, colleagues and other health disciplines (Essential)
• Demonstrates an understanding and a willingness to participate in self‑evaluation (Essential)
• Demonstrates the ability to participate in patient teaching (Essential)
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous Quality Improvement (Essential)
• Demonstrates an understanding of aseptic technique and an ability to apply this knowledge in a clinical setting (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.