Operating Room Nurses in Canada?

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I graduated from a Canadian nursing school, but have done all of my hands-on training in the US. What is the role of the Operating Room nurse in Canada? Here, we use surgical techs to scrub, so the RN rarely ever gets to scrub. I hear its an all RN staff in Canadian ORs. I would love to move to Ontario and learn to proficiently scrub and circulate all services. Is this realistic?

The job of a "surgical tech" doesn't exist in Canada. It's license holding nurses in the ORs

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The job of a "surgical tech" doesn't exist in Canada. It's license holding nurses in the ORs

YAY!!!! Thats the answer I was hoping to hear :D I just sent a request for a license application last night, so hopefully that comes through soon....

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The job of a "surgical tech" doesn't exist in Canada. It's license holding nurses in the ORs

You are not up on how things are in Ontario. This is incorrect info you are giving.

In Ontario-There are operating room technicians in the OR--these are RPN's who did the OR course. They have an RPN license.

In the OR-RPNS are not called RPN's they are called OR techs.

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Do all hospitals follow this RPN/RN combination format? I thought I heard some (i.e. Mount Sinai) are RN only throughout the hospital. For those that do have RPNs in the OR, is there one in every room? I'm trying to guage if the RN gets stuck circulating 100% of the time because of the RPN/ORT incorporation.

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Do all hospitals follow this RPN/RN combination format? I thought I heard some (i.e. Mount Sinai) are RN only throughout the hospital. For those that do have RPNs in the OR, is there one in every room? I'm trying to guage if the RN gets stuck circulating 100% of the time because of the RPN/ORT incorporation.

Yes there are several all RN hospitals.

If there is an RPN in the room, there is one RN, one RPN and one scrubs and one circulates all day. There is also a relief person who covers 2 OR's-usually an RN and that person covers breaks for the RN and RPN, so they scrub and circ.

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Several provinces utilize OR techs, who are specially-trained LPNs. I believe their role is primarily circulating but I could be quite out in left field. Certain ORs (cardiovascular and neurosurgery) at my hospital only have RNs working in scrub and circulating roles. It would be possible to get your foot in the door if Ontario was actively hiring but right now there's a real dearth of jobs there.

Ontario IS hiring. I just was offered 2 different OR jobs in a matter of the last few months.

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You are not up on how things are in Ontario. This is incorrect info you are giving.

In Ontario-There are operating room technicians in the OR--these are RPN's who did the OR course. They have an RPN license.

In the OR-RPNS are not called RPN's they are called OR techs.

Have you fullly read and comprehended anyof my posts.

The ORT is a LICENSED nurse. To get on the course you have to hold a valid practice permit as an LPN. It is a specialty designation tag which prohibits non qualified personnel from assisting.

Oh, and I have to really throw fuel on your fire. The Canadian Armed Forces medics are also ORTs. They qualify as medics then in order work in the OR gain PN practice permits to be able to take the OR training. From talking to a few of them, their scope far exceeds that of civilian RNs and ORTs.

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OK, in the US where the OP currently resides, Surgical Techs are non regulated personnel. They have no nursing education. They are hired and given on the job training, some attend a course. They have no license, practice permit, etc. They learn to set up, scrub and tear down.

Here is a link with information for an LPN/ORT vacancy out here:

https://www.capitalhealth.ca/Careers/CareerOpportunities/HR_EmploymentCategory.asp?jb1=2&jb2=HC-43244-LA

Working with Surgery patients during the perioperative phase, performs a variety of nursing duties by administering safe and effective nursing care according to hospital policies and nursing care standards. Demonstrates a professional positive attitude, excellent communication, teaching, organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills as a member of the multidisciplinary team. Demonstrates the abilities to perform scrubbing and circulating duties in general surgery, opthamology and endoscopy. Will be required to take call.

Qualifications:

Graduate from a recognized School of Licensed Practical Nursing. Must have completed the Perioperative Nusing Educational Program. Must be registered with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA). CPR (BCLS) certificate is required. Minimum of two years current operating room experience, preferably in a suburban rural hospital. Endoscopy experience is required.

Responsible to provide proof of active registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) and to maintain registration throughout the duration of employment. Specific advanced authorization from CLPNA to practice in the Operating Room is required.

It clearly states that an ORT can and will circulate. It also states that an ORT applicant must be a graduate of a Practical Nursing programme and hold a current license. NONE of this is a requirement in the US.

As the original question was directed towards Canada as a whole the information provided by myself and Jan is relevant.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I live in Ontario. At my hospital, there are all RNs and one RPN in the OR. The RPN scrubs in when she's working, otherwise it's the RNs. There's 4 OR suites operating every day so I assume there'd be at least 3 RNs scrubbing in + relief every day. I imagine they'll be hiring more RPNs due to budget cuts and whatnot, but the RNs will likely still be scrubbing in for several years.

I'm not sure if there are postings in the OR right now, but you could call HR and find out. There are several nurses in the OR that are 50-60 and even over 60 and the hospital is offering retirement packages right now due to budget cuts so I'm sure there will be positions available soon if there aren't now. PM me if you want the hospital info.

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OK, in the US where the OP currently resides, Surgical Techs are non regulated personnel. They have no nursing education. They are hired and given on the job training, some attend a course. They have no license, practice permit, etc. They learn to set up, scrub and tear down.

Here is a link with information for an LPN/ORT vacancy out here:

https://www.capitalhealth.ca/Careers/CareerOpportunities/HR_EmploymentCategory.asp?jb1=2&jb2=HC-43244-LA

Working with Surgery patients during the perioperative phase, performs a variety of nursing duties by administering safe and effective nursing care according to hospital policies and nursing care standards. Demonstrates a professional positive attitude, excellent communication, teaching, organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills as a member of the multidisciplinary team. Demonstrates the abilities to perform scrubbing and circulating duties in general surgery, opthamology and endoscopy. Will be required to take call.

Qualifications:

Graduate from a recognized School of Licensed Practical Nursing. Must have completed the Perioperative Nusing Educational Program. Must be registered with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA). CPR (BCLS) certificate is required. Minimum of two years current operating room experience, preferably in a suburban rural hospital. Endoscopy experience is required.

Responsible to provide proof of active registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) and to maintain registration throughout the duration of employment. Specific advanced authorization from CLPNA to practice in the Operating Room is required.

It clearly states that an ORT can and will circulate. It also states that an ORT applicant must be a graduate of a Practical Nursing programme and hold a current license. NONE of this is a requirement in the US.

As the original question was directed towards Canada as a whole the information provided by myself and Jan is relevant.

Sure they can circulate-as long as there is an RN circulating as well. Maybe they can circ for endoscopy and ophthamology since pt's are not put to sleep for those.

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You can think what you want about out west but I know how it works. ORTs circulate in all the services. Even in the opthamology procedures where GA is used. The guidelines clearly state that an RN is required to be in the room but doesn't define in which situation.

Your facility chooses one route. Other facilities operate differently.

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You can think what you want about out west but I know how it works. ORTs circulate in all the services. Even in the opthamology procedures where GA is used. The guidelines clearly state that an RN is required to be in the room but doesn't define in which situation.

Your facility chooses one route. Other facilities operate differently.

What opthamology sugeries do you think they use a GA for?

I used it work in an opthamology OR-that's all we did and we never ever used GA-just sedation. Except for when they do an eviseration-removal of eyeball and those are rare.

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