Browse Careers
DISCOVER
THE HIGH STAKES WORLD OF AN OPERATING ROOM TECHNICIAN.
Skip to Section:
PREPARE
FOR A LOOK INSIDE THE SKILL, EXPERTISE AND DEDICATION BEHIND THE OCCUPATION.
JOIN
SERGEANT LANA FLEMMER AS THEY WALK YOU THROUGH A DAY IN THE LIFE.
Overview
As a member of the military, Operating Room Technicians are responsible for the provision of an aseptic environment enabling the safe performance of operative procedures in both static (at home) and operational (deployed) environments. They are an integral member of the surgical team, providing perioperative care, post-operative care, assisting the surgeons and anesthesiologists and performing orthopaedic casting procedures in support of surgery. OR Tech’s are also responsible for all Medical Device Reprocessing services, processing surgical materials and instruments.
An Operating Room Technician has the following primary duties:
- providing a clean and safe environment for patient treatment and for assisting surgeons and anesthesiologists in all facets of the operative procedure;
- operationally maintaining all field OR equipment and for providing onsite training for OR Field operations as well as overseeing the setup of a field OR;
- assisting in the recovery of patients from anesthesia;
- decontamination, cleansing, maintenance and procurement of materials and instruments and for the packaging and sterilization of supplies;
- Operating and maintaining medical and life-support equipment;
- Initiating, maintaining and distributing medical records, documents, reports and returns; and
- Maintaining, replenishing and accounting for general and medical supplies.
Work environment
Operating Room Technicians spend most of their careers working directly in civilian hospitals in military OR teams or integrated with a civilian team within Canada, and deployed on international missions. They usually work a regular Monday to Friday schedule but may also work in shifts or on call depending on the circumstances.
If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.
Related Civilian Occupations
- Registered Nursing Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse with perioperative specialty
- Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
- Endoscopic Reprocessing Technician
- Nurse Educator
Training
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Learn more about Basic Training here.
The training consists of 4 modules. Module 1 is a 2-year Practical Nurse Diploma at an approved Canadian educational institution. Module 2 is an Operating Room Practical Nurse course either at Algonquin College (Ottawa) or Grant MacEwan University (Edmonton) for a duration of 6 to 8 months. Module 3 is an On the Job Training (OJT) program in a Canadian health care facility which is comprised of 1500hrs, including hours completed during the preceptorship in Module 2 in the operating room and is divided as follows: 500hrs in orthopedic surgery, 500hrs in general surgery and 500hrs in other specialties. Module 4 consists of a Surgical Services Field Orientation.
Following the basic occupation training Operating Room Technicians will take a course in Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR).
The Advanced Education in Orthopedics for LPN’s course is offered when you progress in rank and consists of advanced casting and orthopedic appliance application and maintenance.
Entry plans
Applicants must hold a Practical Nursing diploma, have a current license to practice as an LPN/RPN from a provincial or territorial regulatory authority, and a letter of good standing from the applicant’s professional regulatory authority. It is an asset for applicants with a certification as an Operating Room Technician (LPN/RPN with peri-operative specialty).
For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca
Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Entry Training Plan (NCMSTEP)
Since this position requires specialty training, the Canadian Armed Forces will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive a full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Forces for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Forces and the appropriate college.
For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca
Learn more about our Paid Education programs here.
