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Anaesthetic Technician





JOB DESCRIPTION

Anaesthetic Technicians are involved with all aspects of the delivery of a patient's perioperative Anaesthetic care, taking into account the patients' religious and cultural beliefs and respecting their right to Medical Privacy and dignity at all times.


Prior to anaesthesia

Anaesthetic Technicians prepare equipment needed for the patient to safely undergo Anaesthesia . This involves :-


During anaesthesia

The Anaesthetic Technicians role includes assisting with :-
  • inducing & maintaining adequate anaesthesia

  • establishing & securing an airway

  • making sure that patient's are positioned in such a way NOT to cause discomfort during their procedure

  • monitoring patients' Vital Signs and Anaesthesia depth

  • temperature monitoring and regulation

  • collection and analysis of patient ( Blood ) samples

  • acquiring transfusion fluids and equipment



After anaesthesia

Anaesthetic Technicians assist the Anaesthetist with :-
  • waking the patient

  • removing airway devices

  • transferring the patient to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

  • handing over patient information to the PACU staff



Other activities

Regional variations exist, but Anaesthetic Technicians may be involved with include:-



ANAESTHETIC TECHNICIANS IN NEW ZEALAND


Anaesthetic Technicians work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses and support workers. The New Zealand Anaesthetic Technicians Society currently hold a voluntary register of members.


Registration


Anaesthetic Technicians have been accepted as needing registration as a profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 . This group are in the final stages of sourcing a regulatory body. Regulation is an important step in the future growth of this group within New Zealand healthcare and will mirror recent changes within the United Kingdom NHS regarding similarly trained personnel obtaining registration with the Health Professions Council .


Qualification


After a recent review and restructuring of the existing qualification for Anaesthetic Technicians in New Zealand, a Diploma of Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology) is now the national base qualification. This is studied for throught Auckland University Of Technology .

Other (international) qualifications may also be acceptable for working as an Anaesthetic Technician in New Zealand. These can be more closely investigated through the New Zealand Anaesthetic Technicians Society .


Conference


7th - 10th November 2007 at the Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland


ANAESTHETIC TECHNICIANS IN AUSTRALIA



Registration


Currently, there is no compulsory regulatory body that exists in Australia to standardise the qualification necessary to work as an Assistant in Anaesthetia. The Australian Society of Paramedical Officers or ASAPO was hence created to try and standardise the profession by way of a voluntary registration process. Members are currently working toward and lobying both levels of government for a complusory registraion process, to be regulated by an official government body.


Health Training Package


There is currently a review underway for the Health Technicians Training Package. This Training Package includes national qualifications for health technicians and is still in the preliminary stage of review. Updates on this review can be found at the Health Training Package HLT02 Review website here - {Link without Title}


Qualification


  • Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology - Integrated Care Management New South Wales

  • Diploma of Science (Anaesthetics) - Southbank Institute of TAFE Queensland



Australian Hospitals that Employ Anaesthetic Technicians



New South Wales


  • Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital

  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital



Australian Capital Territory



Northern Territory



Queensland


  • Gold Coast Hospital

  • Logan Hospital

  • Mater Misaccordae Health Services

  • Prince Charles Hospital

  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

  • Queen Elizebeth II Jubilee Hospital

  • Toowoomba Base Hospital



South Australia



Tasmania



Victoria


  • Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital



Western Australia


  • Royal Perth Hospital

  • Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital

  • Princess Margarets Hospital for Children

  • King Edwards Maternity Hospital



WORLD CONFERENCE


  • The Inaugural World Conference For Anaesthetic Paramedical Officers was held at Jupiters Casino at the Gold Coast on the 9th - 12th November 2006.



RELATED LINKS - NEW ZEALAND




RELATED LINKS - AUSTRALIA