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

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa seeks an OR Registered Practical Nurse to join the perioperative team. The role centers on the scrub function within pediatric surgery, following established standards and policies to support safe, efficient operations.

You will contribute to preoperative assessment, instrument handling, sterile technique, and post-operative care while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and educators for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Post-diploma OR Technique Program required (Essential).
• Current registration with the College of Nurses in Ontario (Essential).
• Current CPR and BCLS certifications (Essential).
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively and work as part of the health-care team (Essential).
• Bilingualism (French/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preoperative assessment of patient status.
• Provide emotional support to the family pre-operatively.
• Perform scrub role duties including preparation of the surgical field and instruments.
• Maintain sterile field and manage supplies during surgery.
• Assist with patient positioning and post-surgical routines.
• Complete charting and specimen cataloguing.
• Provide preceptorship for students and participate in staff orientation.
• Engage in quality improvement activities and risk identification.

Skills

Bilingualism

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Post-diploma Operating Room Technique Program

Registration with Ontario College of Nurses

Job description

Compensation

Pay Range: $30.41-$37.35

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
• Practice 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 areas of risk within the Perioperative setting

Qualifications

• Post‑diploma Operating Room Technique Program (Essential)
• 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)
• Current Registration with the College of Nurses in Ontario (Essential)
• Current CPR Certification (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)
• Demonstrates 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)

This position will be based out of Ottawa.

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. The pre‑screening may 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.

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.

EEO and Inclusion

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

Company Culture and Values

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth's health and well‑being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career. A career at CHEO provides a: competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package; unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork; place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded; family‑friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve; chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on‑the‑job learning support for continued education and learning potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit; truly unique work environment.

We are redefining what it means to be a hospital. Exceptional and integrated care is what families, children and youth deserve. We are committed to partnering with them and the community to provide this care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO continues to be selected by local, national and international competitions showcasing employers who lead their sector in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. For the eleventh time, CHEO has been recognized as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers. We are among a select group of organizations at the forefront of their respective industries who offer exceptional places to work. We were given this honour based on our outstanding: workplace atmosphere, benefits, employee communications, training and skills development, community involvement.