Anesthetic technician

Anesthetic technicians use infusion pumps to deliver medications.
Drug ampoules contain small amounts of medications.

An anesthetic technician (US English) or anaesthetic technician (British English) is an allied healthcare worker who performs a patient care role predominantly assisting with the administration and monitoring of anesthesia and has an extensive knowledge of anesthesia techniques, instruments, supplies and technology.

Anesthetic technicians are mainly employed by anesthetic departments or operating theatre suites, but can be found in other areas of clinical practice including emergency departments, intensive care units (ICU) and day surgery clinics.

Role description

Anesthetic technicians are involved with all aspects of the delivery of a patient's perioperative anesthetic care,[1] taking into account the patients' religious and cultural beliefs and respecting their right to medical privacy and dignity at all times. Anesthetic Technicians’ also provide a key role in the emergency resuscitation of patients.

Prior to anesthesia

Anesthetic technicians prepare equipment needed for the patient to safely undergo anesthesia. This involves:

During anesthesia

The anesthetic technicians role includes assisting with:

  • inducing and maintaining adequate anesthesia.
  • establishing and securing an airway.
  • making sure that patients are positioned in such a way NOT to cause discomfort or injury during their procedure.
  • monitoring and maintaining patients' vital signs and anesthesia depth.
  • temperature monitoring and regulation.
  • collection and analysis of patient (blood) samples.
  • acquiring and administering transfusion fluids and equipment.

After anesthesia

Anesthetic technicians assist the anesthetic with:

  • waking the patient.
  • removing airway devices.
  • transferring patients to post-operative care units

Other activities

Regional variations exist, but anesthetic technicians may also be involved with:

Registered 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 are a body that provides education and support for Anaesthetic Technicians.

Registration

Anaesthetic Technicians are now covered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.[2] New Zealand based Anaesthetic assistants must now be registered by law with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (formerly the Medical Laboratory Sciences Board).

In order to practice, members must obtain an Annual Practising Certificate from the Medical Sciences Council.

Qualification

In New Zealand, a Diploma of Applied Science (Anaesthetic Technology)[3] is the national qualification. This is studied for through Auckland University of Technology. Other (international) qualifications may also be acceptable for working as an Anaesthetic Technician in New Zealand.

The amount of practical clinical hours required are laid out by the Australia & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, professional document PS8.[4]

Anesthetic Technicians in Australia

Registration

Anesthetic Technicians in Australia are provided with voluntary registration of their National Body the Australian Anesthesia Allied Health Practitioners AAAHP.[5] The AAAHP is currently working with the Australian government to introduce Mandatory Regulation. Minimum requirements for Voluntary Registration is completion of the nationally accredited Diploma of Paramedical Science (Anesthesia) or in Western Australia and some hospitals in Victoria Certificate IV in Anesthetic Technology. Currently in Australia Anesthesia Technicians are covered by the Code of conduct for unregistered health professionals, http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/phact/Documents/coc-unregistered-practitioners.pdf .

Health training package

Nationally recognised Diploma in Paramedical Science (Anaethesia) and in Western Australia and some hospitals in Victoria Certificate IV in Anesthetic Technology....

Qualification

  • Diploma of Paramedical Science (Anesthesia) - Tafe Queensland Brisbane Queensland www.tafebrisbane.edu.au
  • Diploma of Paramedical Science (Anesthesia) - Box Hill Institute
  • The recognised minimum qualifications in Western Australia is the Certificate IV in Anesthetic Technology, but this is being phased out as they move towards the Diploma.[6]

Anesthesia Technicians in the United States

In the United States, the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians (ASATT), acknowledges the scope of practice for the Anesthesia technical personnel. The commitment of ASATT is to ensure that efficient, safe, competent, and ethical practices are provided to society and maintaining professional standards of practice. ASATT acknowledges that the Anesthesia technical personnel are a part of the Anesthesia care team as listed in the practice guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).[7] This position should not be confused with that of an anesthesiologist assistant who actively participates as a licensed anesthesia provider.

Certified Anesthesia Technician

Certified Anesthesia Technologist

Associate & Bachelors Programs

See also

References

  1. ↑ NZATS Scope of Practice
  2. ↑ Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003), New Zealand Government
  3. ↑ Diploma of Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology)
  4. ↑ ANZCA Professional Document - PS8 Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ "Register with AAAHP". Australian Anaesthesia Allied Health Practitioners. Retrieved 30 Sep 2020.
  6. ↑ WA Qualifications Archived March 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "ASATT - Standards of Practice". American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians. Archived from the original on 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
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