CHEO Careers | Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Jobs

CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) is widely regarded as one of Canada’s premier pediatric healthcare institutions, serving children, youth, and families across Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Nunavut. With an international reputation for groundbreaking research, family-centered care, and child-life specialization, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario careers now span over 60 distinct roles, from registered nurses and child life specialists to research coordinators, social workers, respiratory therapists, and IT security analysts. For job seekers looking for meaningful work with competitive public sector compensation and deep emotional reward, CHEO jobs remain among the most respected in the National Capital Region. The organization is actively recruiting across its main Smyth Road campus in Ottawa, as well as the CHEO Research Institute and satellite ambulatory clinics. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced pediatric specialist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Jobs offers a rare combination of academic hospital prestige and genuine community impact.

CHEO are posted bi-weekly, with critical needs in pediatric intensive care, mental health emergency services, developmental pediatrics, and diagnostic imaging. Unlike many adult hospitals, CHEO maintains a uniquely collaborative culture where nurses, physicians, allied health, and administrative staff work as true equals. The organization has invested over $25 million in workforce wellness for 2026, including expanded mental health supports, childcare subsidies, and a dedicated retention bonus program for high-turnover roles. For anyone searching for careers at CHEO, the current hiring cycle is unusually broad, with full-time, part-time, and casual positions available across day, evening, and night shifts. CHEO also actively recruits internationally educated nurses and experienced child and youth care workers, offering structured orientation and mentorship programs. Simply put, if you are looking for a pediatric hospital that values both clinical excellence and employee compassion.

CHEO Student Jobs | Communications & Security Jobs

CHEO Overview

CHEO was founded in 1974 following a dedicated community fundraising campaign that brought specialized pediatric care to Eastern Ontario. Today, the hospital operates as a fully affiliated teaching center of the University of Ottawa, with over 350 beds, 4,500 staff members, and more than 700 physicians and researchers. Its core values — Family-Centred Care, Excellence, Respect, Collaboration, and Innovation — drive everything from bedside procedures to multi-million dollar research grants. Unlike general hospitals that treat children as an afterthought, CHEO is purpose-built for young patients, featuring child-friendly imaging suites, teen lounges, a school program, and a dedicated child life department. The organization has earned national recognition for its virtual urgent care platform (CHEO Virtual), its leadership in pediatric mental health (the Youth Wellness Hub), and its pioneering work in gene therapy research. For 2026, CHEO continues to prioritize reconciliation with Indigenous communities, offering culturally safe care pathways and dedicated Indigenous patient navigators. Its reputation as a “Top Employer in the National Capital Region” is backed by consistently high staff retention rates and a genuine “CHEO family” culture that extends beyond the hospital walls.

Why Work at CHEO

CHEO is widely regarded as a desirable employer because it offers the intellectual stimulation of an academic health sciences center combined with the warmth of a community hospital. Professional growth is embedded into every role: CHEO reimburses tuition for eligible courses (up to $2,000 annually), offers in-house pediatric nursing certifications, funds conference travel for research staff, and provides leadership development pathways for charge nurses and team leads. The work culture is famously supportive — new graduates receive a dedicated preceptor for 6–12 weeks, and interprofessional rounds ensure every voice is heard. Employees frequently cite the “CHEO spirit”: a genuine, almost family-like atmosphere where staff celebrate patient victories together and support each other through difficult losses. Additionally, CHEO offers unique benefits not found at adult hospitals, including access to the on-site child care center (priority for employees), pet therapy for staff wellness, and an employee gym with subsidized memberships. For healthcare professionals who find adult medicine draining, CHEO provides a hopeful, forward-looking environment focused on childhood development, recovery, and long-term thriving.

Benefits & Good Pay

CHEO offers a comprehensive compensation package that exceeds standard Ontario hospital rates, thanks to its special pediatric and academic designations. For 2026, base pay for registered nurses starts at $39.07 per hour under the ONA collective agreement, with evening ($3.00/hr), night ($4.50/hr), and weekend ($3.75/hr) premiums. Child life specialists earn between $34 and $48 per hour. Social workers with an MSW start at $42 per hour. Beyond salary, CHEO employee benefits include:

• Extended health and dental insurance(100% employer-paid for full-time staff after 30 days).
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)— a defined benefit pension with matched employer contributions.
• On-site child care centerwith priority enrollment and subsidized rates ($10/day pilot program for eligible staff).
• Paid sick leave(10 days per year) plus short-term disability top-up to 85% of salary.
• Paid vacationstarting at 4 weeks for full-time staff (above the industry norm).
• Tuition reimbursement($2,000 per year for job-related courses, plus $5,000 for advanced practice certifications).
• Flexible schedulingincluding 8-hour, 10-hour, and 12-hour shifts, plus self-scheduling for many nursing units.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)with 8 free counseling sessions per issue per year.
• Free on-site parkingfor evening and night shifts; subsidized parking ($40/month) for day shifts.
• Wellness fund($500 annually for gym memberships, massage therapy, or fitness equipment).

These CHEO perks make it possible to build a financially stable, long-term career without sacrificing work-life balance.

Education & Experience Requirements

CHEO maintains rigorous but fair qualification standards appropriate for a pediatric academic hospital. General requirements include:

• Registered Nurse (RN):Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), BLS certification. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required within 6 months of hire. New graduates welcome for medicine and surgical units; PICU, NICU, and ED require 1+ years of pediatric experience.
• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN):Practical Nursing diploma, CNO registration, BLS. IV certification required for most units.
• Child Life Specialist:Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field. Completion of a 600-hour child life internship. Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential required.
• Social Worker:Master of Social Work (MSW), registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Clinical counseling experience with children and families required.
• Respiratory Therapist:Diploma or degree in Respiratory Therapy, registration with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO). NRP certification required for neonatal roles.
• Research Coordinator:Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, or related field. Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) is an asset. 1-2 years of clinical research experience required for senior roles.
• Administrative and clerical:High school diploma plus medical terminology certificate. EPIC (electronic medical record) experience strongly preferred.
• Language:English fluency is mandatory. French is considered a strong asset (Eastern Ontario requirement). Arabic, Somali, Mandarin, and Spanish are also valued for patient-facing roles.

CHEO hiring requirements are fully transparent in each job posting. The organization does not require previous pediatric experience for entry-level nursing positions (new graduates receive specialized pediatric orientation).

How to Apply for CHEO Careers?

Applying for CHEO jobs is entirely online and user-friendly. Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the official CHEO careers website.
2. Click on “Search Jobs” or browse by category (Nursing, Allied Health, Research, Administrative, Support Services, IT).
3. Use filters for location (Ottawa), job type (Full-time, Part-time, Casual), and shift (Days, Evenings, Nights, Rotating).
4. Click on any job title to read the full description, including union affiliation (ONA, CUPE, OPSEU, etc.) and required certifications.
5. Click “Apply Now” and create a free account using your email address (or sign in with LinkedIn).
6. Upload your resume (PDF preferred) and a cover letter — highly recommended for nursing and child life roles.
7. Complete the online questionnaire (typically 5–10 questions about availability, certifications, and pediatric interest).
8. Submit your application. You will receive an automated confirmation email within 2 minutes.

The application process typically takes 15–20 minutes. CHEO’s recruitment team reviews applications within 7–14 business days. Shortlisted candidates are contacted for a telephone screening (15 minutes), followed by one virtual panel interview (45–60 minutes) and, for clinical roles, a brief in-person skills assessment. Reference checks and background checks (including vulnerable sector screening) are required before final offer. For unionized roles, internal applicants are considered first, but CHEO actively hires external candidates for over 70% of positions.

List of Available Jobs

Below are current CHEO job vacancies as of June 2026. Requirements and locations are summarized:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need pediatric experience to apply for CHEO jobs?
Not for entry-level roles. New graduate nurses, PSWs, and unit clerks receive specialized pediatric orientation (typically 4–8 weeks). PICU, NICU, and specialized clinics do require prior pediatric experience.

Q2: How long does the CHEO hiring process take?
From application to offer letter, the typical timeline is 4–8 weeks. Background checks (vulnerable sector screening) add 1–2 weeks. CHEO prioritizes faster turnaround for critical roles (ED, PICU, Mental Health).

Q3: Does CHEO sponsor internationally educated nurses?
Yes, for select hard-to-fill roles (PICU, NICU, Critical Care). CHEO supports the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and provides supervised practice hours for IENs. Requires active CNO registration in progress.

Q4: Are part-time employees eligible for CHEO benefits?
Yes. Part-time staff who work a minimum of 22.5 hours per week on average receive prorated health benefits and full HOOPP pension eligibility. Casual staff receive pay in lieu of benefits.

Q5: Can I apply for multiple CHEO jobs at once?
Yes. You can submit up to five applications in a 30-day period. Use the same account to track each application status. Each application is reviewed independently.

Q6: Is there a dress code for CHEO interviews?
Clinical applicants should wear business casual or clean scrubs (if coming from a shift). Virtual interviews require a quiet, professional background. Comfortable shoes are fine if an on-site tour is included.

Q7: Does CHEO offer remote or hybrid jobs?
Yes. Many research, data analytics, IT, and some administrative roles offer hybrid schedules (2–3 days remote per week). Most clinical and support roles are fully on-site.

Q8: What shift types are available at CHEO?
Days, evenings, nights, weekends, and 12-hour rotational shifts. Self-scheduling is available for many nursing units. Straight nights or straight weekends are available for some roles.

Q9: How do I check my CHEO application status?
Log into your careers. account and click “My Applications.” Statuses include: Application Received, Under Review, Phone Screening Scheduled, Interviewing, Background Check, Offer Extended, or Position Filled.

Q10: Does CHEO hire high school or college students?
Yes, for volunteer positions, clinical externships (nursing students), and some casual food service or portering roles. Paid clinical roles require at minimum a PSW certificate or practical nursing diploma.

Q11: Does CHEO offer signing bonuses for hard-to-fill roles?
For 2026, yes. Select PICU, NICU, and Mental Health nursing roles include a $5,000 signing bonus (paid in two installments) and $2,500 relocation assistance for candidates moving from outside the Ottawa region.

Q12: Is French required for CHEO jobs?
Not mandatory for most clinical roles, but French is a strong asset (Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec patient population). Bilingual (English/French) candidates receive priority for patient-facing roles and may receive a language premium of $1.50/hour.

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