An anesthetic technician or anaesthetic technician 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 and day surgery clinics.
Role description
Anesthetic technicians are involved with all aspects of the delivery of a patient's perioperative anesthetic care, 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:
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. New Zealand based Anaesthetic assistants must now be registered by law with the of New Zealand. In order to practice, members must obtain an Annual Practising Certificate from the .
Qualification
In New Zealand, a is the national qualification. This is studied for through Auckland University of Technology. Other 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 , professional document PS8.
Anesthetic Technicians in
Registration
Anesthetic Technicians in Australia are provided with voluntary registration of their National Body the Australian Anesthesia Allied Health Practitioners AAAHP . In Western Australia the is a professional society for Anesthetic technicians in Western Australia. 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 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 and in Western Australia and some hospitals in Victoria Certificate IV in Anesthetic Technology....
Qualification
Diploma of Paramedical Science - Tafe Queensland Brisbane Queensland www.tafebrisbane.edu.au
Diploma of Paramedical Science -
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.
Anesthesia Technicians in the
In the United States, the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians, 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. This position should not be confused with that of an anesthesiologist assistant who actively participates as a licensed anesthesia provider.
