Respiratory Therapist Fellow, Critical Care Transport Team, Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

CHEO is one of the few stand‑alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th‑century acute care hospital into a 21st‑century integrated child and youth health system. Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world‑class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health‑care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

Compensation Pay Range

$46.69-$57.74

Position Summary

Members of the team are provincially mandated to provide transport to critically ill neonates and paediatric patients to centres able to provide a higher level of care as required by patient condition. The transport environment is highly unpredictable, and Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist Fellows (CCTT RTF) will train to be perpetually ready with a broadened skill set, proper equipment and mental preparedness to respond to any situation they are presented with. Although they have telephone access to Physicians to guide them with developing a plan of care and carrying out complex procedures, there are occasions where they would not be able to reach these resources (lack of cell service in remote areas, while in flight) and must use their clinical judgement under the guidance and supervision of their overseeing clinician and with increasing autonomy as the fellowship progresses to carry out highly specialized procedures in emergency, life or death situations often in confined spaces and with only the assistance of their Clinician partner. They will be involved in the care of critically ill patients utilizing complex equipment and will progress to managing patient care as the fellowship advances.

The CCTT RTF will leverage their own extensive knowledge and clinical experience as a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist to progress toward practice as a Critical Care Transport Team Respiratory Clinician (CCTT RC). This is achieved through successful completion of the required stages of the fellowship, as monitored and approved by the CHEO Transport Fellowship Program, and upon successful completion of the required written assessments and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), preparing the fellow to function effectively within the transport team in a highly challenging, dynamic, and unpredictable clinical environment.

Training Program & Compensation Structure

The Critical Care Transport Team Respiratory Therapist Fellow (CCTT RTF) participates in a mandatory two‑tier Clinician Training Program. Successful completion of Tier 1 is required to progress to Tier 2, which includes increased responsibility, clinical autonomy, and compensation.

The pay band for this position will begin on OPSEU Pay band 15a ($41.85 - $51.77 per hour), and will progress to OPSEU pay band 24 ($46.69 - $57.74 per hour) as responsibilities are added.

Main Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of their overseeing clinician, the incumbent will implement critical transport care including but limited to:

• Providing care across the Southeast, Northeast, and Champlain regions, using ground and air transport modalities (ambulance, fixed‑wing aircraft, and helicopter) to support patients requiring advanced respiratory and critical care
• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary transport team to ensure safe, coordinated, and comprehensive care for pediatric and neonatal patients
• Delivering specialized respiratory and critical care to neonatal and pediatric populations ranging from extreme prematurity to adolescents up to 18 years of age, applying age‑and development‑appropriate clinical judgment
• Progress toward autonomous clinical practice in high‑acuity transport settings, applying an expanded scope of practice to manage complex and time‑sensitive situations under appropriate oversight as outlined by the fellowship
• Successfully complete the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team competency requirements
• Utilize clinical practice guidelines, clinical pathways, medical directives, hospital policies and procedures to promote and implement evidence‑based practice
• Ensure safe and effective application of precise technological equipment to meet determined patient care goals
• Anticipate and prepare for emergencies
• Provide patient and family support and education
• Contribute to the orientation and education of various members of the interdisciplinary team as appropriate
• Participate in quality assurance, research activities and workload measurement as appropriateDemonstrate a commitment to professional transport practice
• Perform work in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all CHEO corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited university/ college respiratory therapy program (Essential)
• Member of the College of Respiratory Therapy (General Certificate) (Essential)
• Minimum of five (5) years of Level III Neonatal Intensive Care experience and/or Minimum of 5 years of Pediatric Critical Care experience or other appropriate combinations of education and experience, along with the demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position, may be considered in lieu of stated education and experience (Essential)
• Successful completion of the Transport Orientation/Training program (including OSCE testing and certification runs) within the designated training period (Essential).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification (Essential)
• Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or successful completion of within 12 months (Essential)
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification or successful completion of within 12 months (Essential)
• Member in good standing of the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO) (Preferred)
• Member in good standing of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) (Preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to function appropriately in emergency situations (Essential)
• Demonstrated ability to function at a highly autonomous level in an unfamiliar setting with an unfamiliar team (Essential)
• Demonstrated adaptability and creativity in problem solving (Essential)
• Flexibility in scheduling with the ability to extend the shift based on needs of the transport (Essential)
• Comfortable with ground ambulance, rotor and fixed wing aircraft modes of transportation (Essential)
• Comfortable learning and applying skillsets in an extended scope of care (Essential)
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills (Essential)
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills (Essential)
• Comprehensively use relevant computer technology and specialized equipment (Essential)
• Experience working in PREHOS (Preferred)
• Experience with EPIC (Preferred)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)
• Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre‑screening. Pre‑screening might include testing.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre‑screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.