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The Caring Support Blog

Everything You Need to Know About Ottawa Healthcare Jobs

October 24, 2022

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in the province of Ontario. As of 2021, the city had a population of 1,488,307, making it the fourth-largest city in Canada, with thousands of healthcare workers and healthcare jobs available for locals and for those considering relocating there. Having said that, in this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about Ottawa healthcare jobs, just in case you're currently looking for your first big break in this field or for an opportunity to further develop your healthcare career in this city.

How to Find Healthcare Jobs in Ottawa?

Depending on your specific field within the healthcare industry, there are different ways to find healthcare jobs in Ottawa, Ontario.

PSW and Caregiver jobs in Ottawa

According to the City of Ottawa, they operate four long-term care homes across the city, which are Carleton Lodge, Centre d’accueil Champlain, Garry J. Armstrong, and Peter D. Clark. Additionally, there are several privately operated long-term care facilities in the city. All of these organizations employ healthcare workers such as personal support workers (PSWs) and other caregivers and are the main work setting for these professionals.

Nursing Jobs in Ottawa

All four of the City’s long-term care homes also employ registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) for various shifts as healthcare workers are usually on duty 24 hours a day in these facilities. Nurses can also find employment in Ottawa hospitals, nursing clinics, walk-in clinics, and urgent care.

Read More: Nursing  Jobs In Ottawa: Opportunities And Challenges

Read More:

Perks Of  Starting A Healthcare Career In Ottawa

The  Future Of Nursing In Ottawa, Trends And Predictions

Occupational Therapist jobs in Ottawa

Occupational therapists have ample opportunity to find employment in Ottawa since it is a highly populated city where many people are recovering from injuries and illnesses or suffering from disabilities or mental health issues and require these services to improve their quality of life and get back to their regular routines. Ottawa hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community centres are some of the places where these professionals can find occupational therapist jobs in Ottawa.

Social Worker jobs in Ottawa

There are several social services available for residents of Ottawa such as children's services, employment, financial assistance, housing, community safety, older adults, and youth. The City of Ottawa hires social workers to provide these services to people in need, but professionals in this field can also find employment in private organizations like schools, nursing homes, and community-centred facilities.

Best Healthcare Programs and Courses in Ottawa

Perhaps you're not a healthcare worker yet, and you're still a student interested in relocating to Ottawa. Fortunately for you, there are great healthcare programs and courses available in Ottawa, such as:

  1. First aid and CPR courses for healthcare workers provided by the City of Ottawa
  2. Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa
  3. Personal Support Worker Certifications offered by institutions like Trillium College and Algonquin Careers Academy
  4. MD program in English and French offered by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa

Read More: The  Future Of Nursing In Ottawa: Trends And Predictions

Healthcare Jobs

Top Healthcare Universities in Ottawa

Ottawa has multiple academic universities that offer healthcare programs in both official languages of Canada (English and French) which makes this city ideal for international students from all over the world and for local students looking to pursue a successful career in healthcare from a high-rated and prestigious university.

These are the top healthcare universities in Ottawa(H3)

  1. Carleton University  - Carleton University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in health sciences and other health-related fields such as biology, disability and chronic illness, global health, and many others.
  2. Herzing College Ottawa - Herzing College in Ottawa is a popular choice for international students interested in Canadian education. The college offers several healthcare-related programs including medical office administration, occupational health and safety, personal support worker, and more.
  3. Algonquin College - Algonquin College offers multiple healthcare programs like its  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology program, Developmental Service Worker program, Social Service Worker program, and more.
  4. University of Ottawa - The University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world. It offers multiple health programs through its School of Epidemiology and Public Health, including a Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program (PHPM) and a Master in Public Health Degree (MPH). The university also offers nursing, nutrition and rehabilitation programs.

Average Salary for All Types of Healthcare Jobs in Ottawa

Since Ottawa is one of the largest cities in the country, it also offers competitive salaries to its healthcare workers in comparison to other cities and regions. See detailed information below:

  1. PSW Job Salary in Ottawa - According to multiple sources, the average salary for a PSW is $39,348 in Ottawa, Ontario.
  2. Registered Nurse Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a registered nurse is $38.00 per hour in Ottawa, which is around $80,000 per year, although other sources point out the average salary for an RN is higher, at around $95,071 per year in the same city.
  3. Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Salary in Ottawa - The average annual salary for RPNs in Ottawa is around $65,442, according to the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.
  4. Social Worker Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a social worker is $34.80 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  5. Developmental Support Worker (DSW) Salary in Ottawa - According to multiple sources, the average salary for a DSW is $23 dollars an hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  6. Companion/Caregiver Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a Caregiver or companion is $22.21 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  7. Lab Technician Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a Lab Technician is $48,171 in the city of Ottawa, Ontario.
  8. Medical Laboratory Technician Assistant Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a Lab Assistant is $45,506 in Ottawa, Ontario.
  9. Medical Assistant Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a medical assistant is $18.42 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  10. Pharmacist Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a Pharmacist is $49.95 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  11. Dietitian Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for a dietitian is $42.22 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.
  12. Occupational Therapist (OT) Salary in Ottawa - The average salary for an Occupational Therapist is $44.67 per hour in Ottawa, Ontario.

Read More:

Salaries  For Healthcare Jobs In Ottawa

Understanding  The Cost Of Living In Ottawa: Income, Tax, And Salary Considerations

What Are the Best Hospitals in Ottawa?

According to Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa has 4 main hospitals.

The Ottawa Hospital - The Ottawa Hospital services around 1.2 million people across Eastern Ontario, offering them "patient-centred care with an emphasis on tertiary-level and specialty care" and conducting world-leading research programs in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), according to their website. The hospital also educates future healthcare workers and professionals in partnership with the University of Ottawa and other affiliated universities, community colleges, and training organizations.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) - The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is known as "a global leader in pediatric health care and research" offering acute care, autism services, child and youth mental health, children's treatment centre, pediatric palliative care hospice, genetics, and more.

Queensway-Carleton Hospital - Queensway Carleton Hospital is considered a leading acute care hospital in West Ottawa and a top employer in Canada. It employs around 2,700 healthcare workers and services over 500,000 people each year, offering a diversity of medical and surgical programs and services.

Montfort Hospital - Hôpital Montfort is Ontario’s Francophone Academic Hospital and is one of Canada’s top 40 research hospitals, according to its website. It serves over 1.2 million people in both English and French. The hospital is known for shaping the next generation of Francophone healthcare professionals in partnership with the University of Ottawa and La Cité college, as well as other post-secondary institutes.

Additionally, there are other notable hospitals and healthcare facilities in Ottawa such as Bruyère, which is an academic healthcare organization that provides specialized hospital care, primary care, long-term care, and assisted and independent living for seniors and plays a unique role in the Ottawa region’s healthcare system. Bruyère employs over 2,300 healthcare workers, plus volunteers, student trainees, and post-docs.

Read More: What Are  The Best Hospitals And Clinics In Ottawa?

How to Write an Ideal Resume for Healthcare Jobs in Ottawa

Creating an ideal resume for healthcare jobs is an essential step for a successful job hunt, and can make all the difference when it comes to landing your dream position in Ottawa. To learn how to put together an effective resume for healthcare jobs in Ottawa, see our best tips below:

Make sure to use healthcare-related terms

The medical and healthcare field is competitive, so convincing employers that you are the best candidate should be an integrated effort that includes the wording used in your resume. Keep that in mind.

Highlight your most relevant qualifications on the top

Healthcare recruiters don't have much time to look through resumes in detail, so the most relevant information for each position you apply for should be on the top. This is why targeting your resume for every job posting you apply to is so important.

Describe your responsibilities as accomplishments

Many people do what you do, but no one else has accomplished the same things you have. That is what will set you apart from the competition. For instance, instead of listing that you assisted physicians in procedures as one of your tasks, be more specific. You can include an estimate of the number of procedures you collaborated with and the types of procedures, to give employers a better idea of your skills and work ethic.

Go beyond your education

You may have a bachelor's in Nursing or a certification in personal support work, but you have done so much more academically if you think about it, including courses, workshops, diplomas, etc. All of these courses and learning opportunities deserve a spot on your resume.

Use a Resume Builder

You might consider building your resume on your own or getting professional help, but there's another option, and that is using a healthcare-dedicated resume builder that can help you create a document to attract the attention of recruiters. Check out our resume builder by signing up for our platform.

How To Create Your Healthcare Resume Online?

Healthcare Jobs

Tips for Writing an Ideal Cover Letter in Ottawa

Just because you're a healthcare worker and not a writer, doesn't mean you can't write a compelling cover letter for any healthcare job in Ottawa. Follow these 3 simple tips:

  1. Forget about "To Whom It May Concern” or "Dear Hiring Manager" whenever possible. The last thing you want is for your cover letter to read as generic. Make an effort to find the name of the recruiter or hiring manager for the position that interests you and address the letter directly to them. It will help your chances, for sure.
  2. Tailor your letter to the specific role you are applying to. Again, generic letters are a waste of time. Tailor your letters to be the perfect complement for your resume, where you include additional information that supports your candidacy and helps you stand out from the competition.
  3. Keep it exciting. Cover letters are supposed to excite recruiters or catch their interest enough for them to ask you for an interview. To do this, highlight your relevant skills, state why you are interested in the role and include some details about who you are as a healthcare professional.

Where to Apply for Healthcare Jobs in Ottawa

Now that you've read everything you need to know about Ottawa healthcare jobs, the only thing left for us to say is that Caring Support is here to help you meet your Ottawa employment goals.

Our platform was built as a community where you can connect with employers, post-secondary institutes, and other healthcare workers looking for similar opportunities. This combination has created a safe space where you can showcase who you are, what you want to do in the healthcare field, and where you want to work while accessing several resources that will make your job search so much easier such as blog posts, videos, healthcare news, police certificates for job applications, and a healthcare-dedicated Marketplace.

It's time for you to discover everything Ottawa and the rest of Ontario have to offer healthcare workers. Make a positive move in your career today by signing up for Caring Support, your all-in-one healthcare employment platform.

Thank you for reading!

About The Author
Laura Woodman
Content Marketing Specialist

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