Weekend Switchboard Operator, Information Services, Temporary Part-Time (0.2) (until January 2028)

cheo; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO is looking for a capable switchboard/communications clerk in Ottawa. The role involves answering calls, directing callers, informing visitors, and handling paging, alarms, and on-call coordination. You will work across hospital units to locate staff and provide information about services.

A strong customer service background and bilingual French/English ability are essential. The position supports hospital communications, maintains staff directories, and participates in handling paging and

Qualifications

• Essential: secondary school graduate.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comprehensively use software including databases (Microsoft Office).
• Knowledge of Speech Attendant, Meridian Mail (Preferred).
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential).
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Essential).

Responsibilities

• Answer incoming calls and redirect to the appropriate person, department, or clinic.
• Provide general information to external callers concerning the hospital services.
• Direct and inform visitors to the appropriate clinics and hospital areas, and patient location.
• Assume custodial responsibility for packages and miscellaneous items delivered to the switchboard.
• Locate physicians and other personnel by pagers, cellular phones or various telephone calls.
• Provide overhead paging of codes, emergencies, rounds and miscellaneous announcements.
• Answer emergency phone and follow procedures in the event of alarms, codes, and stat calls.
• Monitor the various alarm systems and notification panels and advise appropriate parties.
• Respond to distress alarms (i.e. elevators).
• Reset voice mail passwords.
• Maintain databases in support of staff directories, phone/pager numbers, name display.
• Update on-call lists with respect to changes in coverage.
• Provide pocket pagers, servicing and administration.
• Provide on-call coverage and carry pager.

Skills

Customer service

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Bilingual (French/English)

Education

Secondary school graduate

Tools

Speech Attendant

Meridian Mail

Job description

Compensation Pay Range

$25.26-$31.04

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

• Answer incoming calls and redirect to the appropriate person, department, or clinic
• Provide general information to external callers concerning the hospital services
• Direct and inform visitors to the appropriate clinics and hospital areas, and patient location
• Assume custodial responsibility for packages and miscellaneous items delivered to the switchboard
• Locate physicians and other personnel by pagers, cellular phones or various telephone calls
• Provide overhead paging of codes, emergencies, rounds and miscellaneous announcements
• Answer emergency phone and follow procedures in the event of alarms, codes, and stat calls
• Monitor the various alarm systems and notification panels and advise appropriate parties
• Respond to distress alarms (i.e. elevators)
• Reset voice mail passwords
• Maintain various databases in support of staff directories, phone/pager numbers, name display
• Update on-call lists with respect to changes in coverage
• Provide pocket pagers, servicing and administration
• Provide on-call coverage and carry pager

QUALIFICATIONS

• Secondary school graduate (Essential)
• Three (3) months of related experience (Essential)
• Strong customer service orientation with good interpersonal skills (Essential)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail (Essential)
• Comprehensively use software including databases (Essential)
• Ability to work under pressure and multitask (Essential)
• Work with minimal supervision, dependable and responsible (Essential)
• Knowledge of hospital resources (Essential)
• Knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office Suite) (Essential)
• Knowledge of Speech Attendant, Meridian Mail (Preferred)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Essential)
• * Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs.
• * Please note you will be represented by the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA).

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.