WRHA ANESTHESIA PROGRAM
POSITION DESCRIPTION
INCUMBENT: New
DATE: August 2007
POSITION DATA
POSITION TITLE: Ophthalmic Sedation Practitioner (OSP)
DEPARTMENT:
Anesthesiology and Surgery
SUPERVISOR POSITION TITLE: Attending Anesthesiologist (clinical)
Director of Surgical Services (administrative)
Medical Director WRHA Anesthesia Program
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None
DEGREE OF SUPERVISION REQUIRED: Variable
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
 Graduate of an approved Allied Health Program or approved School of Nursing
required; International Medical Graduate Physician in Anesthesia will be
considered, if eligible for registration with the CPSM
SPECIAL TRAINING:
 Successful completion or enrolment in a Canadian Anesthesia Assistant training
program preferred
 Successful completion of the WRHA Ophthalmic Sedation Practitioner training
program
 Minimum of one year experience in Critical Care, OR environment, or
Emergency in the past five years
 Certification in BLS required, ACLS preferred
EXPERIENCE:
 Experience in peripheral IV insertion
OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION:
 Must be registered or eligible for registration with the appropriate Registering
Body
OTHER KNOWLEDGE:
 Perioperative medical terminology
 Relevant WRHA policies for the conduct of surgical procedures
ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
 Demonstrates effective organizational (task management), interpersonal (team
working), critical thinking and problem solving (situational awareness and
decision making) abilities
 Exhibits superior clinical monitoring skills characterized by watchfulness,
vigilance and attention to detail
 Communicates perioperative information in a concise, clear, orderly and effective
manner, orally and in writing
 Exhibits patience, understanding and compassion when working with the elderly
population
 Exudes a calm, quiet, confident demeanour
 Posses an excellent command of the English language
PURPOSE OF POSITION
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Under the supervision of the Anesthesiologist, the Ophthalmic Sedation
Practitioner is responsible for: performing selective pre-operative assessment,
anesthesia monitoring of physiological patient variables, administration of
sedative and analgesic drugs used to establish up to a moderate level of sedation
and rescue of patients who exhibit adverse consequences of a deeper than
intended level of sedation.
Additional aspects of anesthetic care include: point of care testing for glucose,
INR and EKG, operating room readiness (machine, monitors, equipment,
supplies, drugs), patient positioning, medical record keeping, recognition of
complications of anesthesia and surgery, patient transport and transfer of care to
PACU staff.
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
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Sets up, calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots anesthesia machines, physiologic
monitors and O2 delivery devices used in anesthesia and resuscitation
Prepares and labels anesthetic medications
Reviews pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, pre-operative consults and
lab data
Identifies relevant pre-existing medical, pharmacologic, airway, and ophthalmic
conditions which may affect the patient’s suitability for the planned surgical and
anesthetic procedure including physical limitations that may impact intraoperative care (for example, inability to lie flat, claustrophobia, dementia,
significant tremor or nystagmus, hearing impairment, language barrier, shortness
of breath at rest)
Communicates these conditions to the Ophthamologist/Anesthesiologist to
receive direction on management and/or an alternative plan of care
Establishes peripheral IV access as required
Operates point of care testing devices as required
Administers oral preoperative sedation as required
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Initiates and utilizes multi-parameter monitoring of patients prior to, during and
after the surgical procedure (oxygen saturation, non-invasive blood pressure, three
or five electrocardiogram, respiration, heart rate +/- capnography or other
monitors as directed by an Anesthesiologist)
Pays particular attention to patient positioning, warmth and comfort and other
interventions known to reduce O2 consumption and the need for IV sedation
Follows a predetermined, patient specific, anesthetic management plan
Participates in correct site policy and time out exercise
Has basic understanding of ophthalmic anatomy and pathology
Understands and prepares for complications of orbital regional anesthesia and
ophthalmic surgical procedures
Administers, maintains and monitors sedation and analgesia within authorized
limits; titrates administration of sedation and analgesia during the surgical
procedure; Demonstrates knowledge of the pharmacology of all drugs being
administered
Identifies and makes necessary adjustments in non-pharmacologic aspects of
anesthetic care in order to facilitate the surgical procedure
Detects abnormal physiological parameters, understands their significance and
seeks assistance in management of same
Provides airway management including O2 therapy, bag/mask ventilation, jaw
thrust, chin lift, nasal/oral airway insertion and suctioning as required
Intervenes to treat desaturation, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension,
hypertension, arrhythmias, hypoventilation/apnea, anxiety and claustrophobia
under the guidance of the Anesthesiologist
Provides safe transfer into PACU
Assists with postoperative pain control and treatment of nausea and vomiting as
required; Accepts verbal orders from the Anesthesiologist and acts on same
Initiates resuscitation by using current cardiac life support guidelines as required
Legibly documents the patient’s medical and anesthetic management in relevant
sections of the health record
Adheres to all safety and health regulations and safe work practices
May be required to perform other duties and functions related to the position
description, not exceeding above stated abilities and skills
POSITION ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
 Position involves physical activities such as walking, standing, transferring
patients and equipment
 May encounter exposure to disease, radiation, toxic materials, noise, allergens,
etc.
 May encounter aggressive and/or agitated individuals
IMPACT OF ERROR:
 Inappropriate/insensitive communication, action or poor judgement may
adversely affect patient care, or negatively impact the hospital’s reputation
 Non-adherence to hospital policies and procedures may cause harm to individuals,
equipment or property
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
 Liaises with other health care team members in the provision of Ophthalmological
surgical care
 Collaborates with physicians and other professional health staff in the facility
AUTHORITY:
 Has the authority to provide patient care if competent to provide that care, the
care is endorsed in the practice setting and the care is within the scope of practice
as defined by the governing body with which he/she is registered