Overview

As a member of the military, Operating Room Nursing Officers provide nursing care in the operating room domain of practice to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members and supported populations in tertiary care and in-patient care environments in Canada and while on operation. They are employed in the Scrub and Circulating Nurse roles and have experience in the Medical Device Reprocessing Department.

Operating Room Nursing Officers work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the nursing care delivery within their area of practice. They have opportunities to work in different domains of nursing practice, including:

- Patient care delivery
- Policy and program management
- Clinical leadership
- Training and education

Work workplace

Operating Room Nursing Officers usually work in civilian hospitals, Canadian Forces Health Services Centres, Operational CAF units, training and education establishments, and Headquarters. The work schedule may vary from shift work to a regular 40-hour work week, depending on the setting. Officers are called to contribute to exercises and domestic or international emergencies.

During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, they live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.

For a career in the Regular Force, officers are assigned to a base upon completion of all required training, with potential relocations. Reserve Force officers, through a specific Reserve unit, typically work part‑time,



usually one night per week and some weekends, with possibilities of full‑time employment.

Entry plans

All Nursing Officers have the opportunity to specialize as an Operating Room Nursing Officer upon selection. Entry paths include Direct Entry and In‑Service Selection.

Qualifications

Direct Entry candidates must already hold a university degree and be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory, with civilian nursing experience in an operating room environment. CAF may place them directly into the role after evaluating experience, with possible additional education and certification.

Training

Upon completing the Rank Qualification Lieutenant training, selected Officers must complete a formal operating room nursing course and certification to ensure clinical competencies. The course is delivered in a Canadian civilian tertiary care facility and may vary in length based on prior experience. Officers may pursue further specialized courses, such as management and policy and program management, through formal certification.

Part‑time options

Reserve Force Operating Room Nursing Officers receive training at the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. If civilian experience does not match job requirements, candidates should contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter at

Additional information

For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter:

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📌 Operating Room Nursing Officer (Kitchener)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 Kitchener