Job Title

Overview As a member of the military, Critical Care Nursing Officers provide care in the critical care domain of practice to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in inpatient care and medical evacuation environments while on operation. They are specialized in intensive care, emergency room, and trauma resuscitation. Critical Care 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 the opportunity to work in different domains of nursing practice, including patient care delivery; policy and program management; clinical leadership; and training and education. Work environment Critical Care Nursing Officers usually work in civilian hospitals, Aeromedical Evacuation units, Operational CAF units, training and education establishments, and Headquarters. The work schedule may vary from shift work to a regular 40hour work week, depending on the environment. They are called to contribute to exercises, medical evacuation flights, 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. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, you will be assigned to your first base after completion of all required training and may be expected to relocate over time. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum, with possibilities of fulltime employment. Entry plans Direct Entry Options: if you already have a university degree and licence to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory and civilian nursing experience in a critical care environment, the CAF may place you directly into a Critical Care Nursing Officer job after evaluation of your experience. You may have to complete some education and certification to complement your civilian experience. InService Selection: Nursing Officers who joined the occupation through any entry plan have the opportunity, upon selection, to further specialise as a Critical Care Nursing Officer and progress in jobs, domains of practice and ranks of increasing responsibility. Training After completing the Rank Qualification Lieutenant training, Nursing Officers selected for specialization or who have civilian experience within a critical care environment are required to complete a formal critical care nursing course and a certification to ensure they have the clinical competencies required to deliver nursing care in a critical care setting. The certification is completed in a Canadian civilian tertiary care facility through a designated curriculum. You may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and certification, including: Critical Care Aeromedical Evacuation Specialist Strategic Tactical & Forward Aeromedical Evacuation Mobile Surgical Resuscitation Team Canadian Medical Emergency Response Team Certified Clinical Anesthesia Assistant Nurse Practitioner Special Forces support Parttime options Reserve Force Critical Care Nursing Officers are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Your civilian experience must reflect employment in a critical care environment (i.e., intensive care unit, emergency room, and resuscitation). If you are unsure about your civilian experience matching the job requirements, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter. For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: . Related careers Physician Assistant Nursing Officer Medical Officer (CCFP(EM)) #J-18808-Ljbffr