Critical Care Nursing Officer

Role Overview

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 in‑patient care and medical evacuation environments while on operation. They specialise in intensive care, the emergency room, and trauma resuscitation.

They work within a collaborative practice model with other health care team members and lead nursing care delivery within their area of practice. Critical Care Nursing Officers may work in policy and program management, clinical leadership, and training and education.

Critical Care Nursing Officers usually work in civilian hospitals, aeromedical evacuation units, operational CAF units, training and education establishments, and headquarters. Work schedules vary from shift work to a regular 40‑hour week, with duties including 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.

In a Regular Force career, upon completion of required training you will be assigned to your first base and may be required to relocate at some point in your career. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you work on a part‑time basis in your specific Reserve unit, with possibilities of full‑time employment.

Direct Entry:
Candidates who already hold a university degree, are licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory, and have civilian nursing experience in a critical care environment may be placed directly into a Critical Care Nursing Officer position after evaluation. Additional education and certification may be required to complement civilian experience.

Nursing Officers who join 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.

A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization.