Operating Room Assistant

Are you a trained health-care aide with at least three years of experience working in an acute care environment? Do you enjoy working as part of an inter-disciplinary team? Are you looking to expand your skills and contribute to safe care for patients in an essential care environment?

Consider training as an Operating Room Assistant.

A comprehensive 12-week training program will prepare you, to work alongside surgical team members, using your skills to contribute to the delivery of safe and effective care for Manitoba patients undergoing a surgery or procedure.

Surgical and procedural teams across the province are supporting the delivery of care for thousands of Manitobans. The members of these care teams are highly-skilled and extremely passionate about the care they provide.

During a surgery or procedure, OR Assistants will provide support in the management of sterile instrumentation and the sterile field; assist with both the preparation of surgical instruments before a procedure; and support the post-procedure transport of instruments to the decontamination area. They will assist with the safe positioning and transfer of patients, participate in post-procedure cleaning of the operative or procedure room, and handle instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.

In this role, you will work alongside experienced colleagues, making already strong teams, even stronger while allowing more Manitobans to receive the help they need.

Operating room assistants will be trained to join a number of teams at the below participating locations.

If you are a quick learner and thrive in a dynamic, challenging and rewarding environment, apply today!

The course is scheduled to begin in January and participants must be available to take the course at the time it is offered. Only those who successfully complete the course will be able to accept – and start – their ORA position.

Training and Orientation

Through virtual education and clinical orientation, you will develop the skills to succeed. Graduates will also complete on the job orientation to the role to ensure they are set up for success.
Under the supervision of the Clinical Manager, Operating Room Assistants will work with regulated healthcare team members to support safe and effective delivery of surgical/procedural care, ensuring that the operating/procedural room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

OR Assistant duties may include both clinical and non-clinical functions, such as:

Clinical:

• Assisting with creation and maintenance of the sterile field;
• Assembling, setting up and disassembling instrumentation associated with procedures and/or surgeries;
• Cleaning and prepare instruments for processing and transport to decontamination areas;
• Assisting with post-procedure cleaning of the operative or procedure room;
• Assisting with safe positioning and transfer of patients pre and post procedure;
• Participation in ongoing educational and competency verification activities applicable to role;
• Under the direction of the surgeon/endoscopist/proceduralist:  handling of instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the procedure/surgery;
• Under the direction of the surgeon/endoscopist/proceduralist:  anticipating the needs of the healthcare team related to the procedure being performed and intraoperative/procedural requirements;
• Under the direction of the surgeon/endoscopist/proceduralist:  ensuring quality patient care during the surgery/procedure with sustaining vigilance and attentiveness to maintain the sterile field;
• Identification, communication and resolution of malfunctioning or broken equipment; instrumentation and/or supplies;
• Participation in the Surgical Safety Checklist phases of the operative procedure;
• Participation in all required surgical counts as per policy; and
• Participation in emergency codes as required/directed.

Non-Clinical:

• Following organizational policies and procedures and best practice standards to ensure safe care for patients and optimal team functioning;
• Completion of documentation if required in accordance with documentation policies;
• As required, assist with obtaining, cleaning and maintaining equipment;
• As required, restock supplies as assigned; and
• Completion of appropriate process and associated documentation to address equipment repairs.

Operating Room Assistants must successfully complete a 12-week micro-credential certification program consisting of 10 weeks of online learning (five days per week), two in-person practice labs, and a two-week clinical practicum.

Training is provided at no cost to the participant with a valid two-year return of service agreement.

Eligibility

Manitoba’s first group of Operating Room Assistants will be trained and oriented to the operative/procedural environment over the coming months.

Eligible candidates must have the following education and experience:

• Grade 12 education
• Successful completion of a recognized comprehensive Health Care Aide course
• A minimum of three years working in an acute care setting.
• Experience in the operating room or a surgical environment is preferred
• Strong ability to express ideas and thoughts in English both verbally and in written formats

Careers

Apply today to be one of Manitoba’s first Operating Room Assistants! (link to be inserted to each specific postings for each facility)

Questions & Answers

Read our FAQs, or see below for answers to common questions.