Operating Room Technical Assistants - Sponsorship

Unity is offering to sponsor individuals who have a Diploma or Degree in a health care related field from an accredited post secondary institution who have relevant experience in acute care or intraoperative clinical settings to become Operating room technical assistants.

Candidates selected to participate in this 12-week program will be provided with a conditional offer of full-time employment. Please note the academic portion of the course is currently completed virtually, through clinical labs and preceptorship. To successfully complete this course, candidates must meet both academic and clinical evaluation standards. External candidates confirmation will be in accordance with the probation period under terms of CUPE's collective agreeement.

Selected applicants will be required to attend the full-time external Operating Room Assistant Program. Tuition and full salaries will be paid by Unity Health for this 12 week program.

Candidates who successfully complete the Operating Room Assistant Program will then be transferred to the Operating Room Technical Assistant position. Successful candidates will be required to commit and remain in the full-time, Operating Room Technical Assistant position for 48 months, following the effective date of placement.

The Operating Room Technical Assistant works within a changing environment and in inter-professional teams to advocate for and promote wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical care. They share their knowledge and expertise with others and contributes to the advancement of Operating room practice standards. The Operating Room Technical Assistant will continually enhance his/her practice and competencies through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice. The primary role of the Operating Room Technical Assistant is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centred quality care in accordance with the ORNAC standards and with Unity’s mission, vision, values and policies.

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, the Operating Room Technical Assistant plays a key role in supporting the surgical team by ensuring the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures. The Operating Room Technical Assistant is responsible for maintaining a sterile environment, ensuring proper equipment functionality, promoting optimal patient safety throughout all phases of operative care and working with the interdisciplinary team to provide high quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform the role of scrub assistant for all surgical procedures
• Assist other team members with activities including safe positioning of patients, transfer of patients, assisting with emergency situations to level of training, etc
• Prepare the operating room for surgery by setting up instruments, equipment, and supplies, ensuring all items are in proper working condition.
• Assist surgeons and other operating room personnel during surgical procedures by demonstrating critical thinking skills
• Anticipating needs and providing instruments and supplies during surgical procedures in a high pressure and fast-paced environment
• Maintain strict adherence to aseptic and sterile techniques to minimize the risk of infection or contamination.
• Adherence to Infection prevention and control process according to Unity Health and OR policies
• Participating actively by engaging in all phases of the Surgical Safety Checklist, ensuring compliance with patient safety protocols.
• Maintain accurate counts of sponges, needles, and other surgical items
• Participating in continuing education, training, and professional development to stay current with evolving surgical techniques and standards.
• Adhering to the current policies, procedures, and standards of the operating room
• Demonstrating strong teamwork, accountability, and effective communication
• Providing support to the operating room team until patient is safely transferred out of the OR
• Recognizes patients’ condition and acts as an advocate by communicating with the team to address complications
• Ability to teach and support new perioperative students and staff
• Support QI and efficiency initiatives
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to patient safety
• Maintains a professional demeanour while respecting patient confidentiality
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in a health care related field from an accredited post secondary institution is required
• Must have or be able to obtain BLS certification within probationary period
• Minimum 2 years of recent and relevant experience in acute care or intraoperative clinical setting is required
• Must meet the physical demands of the position including prolonged standing and repetitive heavy exertion, wearing lead apron for extended periods of time, and transporting OR equipment (lifting, pushing, and pulling)
• Evidence of good work ethics and an excellent attendance record
  
  

Unity reserves the right to decline applications from candidates who have unsuccessfully completed a Unity Health Toronto sponsored program within the past 12 months.

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.