SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
NAME
SIGNATURE
POSITION PURPOSE
To provide direct clinical and technical assistance to the Anaesthetist.
Anaesthetic Technicians form part of the wider multi-disciplinary theatre team. Their
fundamental aim is to provide a holistic care approach in the management of the
patient.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to:
Charge Anaesthetic Technician
Internal Relationships:
Service Manager (Critical Care). Members of the multidisciplinary theatre team including: Anaesthetists, Theatre and Recovery Nurses,
Technicians and Surgeons. Healthcare providers and auxillary staff throughout the
hospital.Patients.
External Relationships:
Medical Sciences Council and NZATS
LOCATION
The Anaesthetic technicians are based in the Main Operating Theatres, Dunedin
Hospital.
TREATY OF WAITANGI
The Southern District Health Board is committed to its obligations under the Treaty of
Waitangi. As an employee you are required to give effect to the principles of the
Treaty of Waitangi - Partnership, Participation and Protection.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Southern District Health Board is committed to achieving the highest level of health
and safety for its staff. All employees are expected to take initiative and identify report
and resolve issues that may cause harm to themselves or others in the organization.
As an employee of Southern District Health Board, the health and safety of clients and
colleagues, as well as your own, are your responsibility. You are expected to work safely
at all times, and to actively participate in health and safety programs in your area. It is
expected that you will report all accidents or potential hazards to your manager.
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The following denote the key physical requirements for the job
Standing
Walking
Bending
Sitting
Stairs
SDHB 15198 V6 Issued: 15/12/08
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Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
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Simple Grasping
Fine Manipulation
Operating Machinery / Equipment
Lifting / overhead reaching
Carrying
Pushing / Pulling
Twisting
Climbing / Balancing
Crouching / Squatting
Manual handling of people
Other reaching
Ability to participate in personal restraint if required
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
 The Scope of Practice for Anaesthetic Technician is defined but not limited to
the following Professional, Organisational, Service Specific and National
documentation, legislation and regulations.
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Southern DHB Policies and Procedures and other relevant documentation
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ANZCA standards
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SDHB PDP 2001
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Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code
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Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
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Code of Health Disability Services (Consumer Rights) Act 1996
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NZ Medial Science Council Scope of Practice
NZ Medial Science Council Standards of Practice
QUALITY AND RISK
Southern District Health Board is committed to the concept of quality improvement.
As an employee you are required to actively participate in quality improvement and
risk management, both at a professional level and service level. You are also required
to participate in CQI and risk programmes as an integral part of your position.
SDHB 15198 V6 Issued: 15/12/08
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Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
KEY TASKS/ACCOUNTABILITIES
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. Clinical/Technical
Key Tasks
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Working in partnership with Medical, Nursing and Allied Health staff to
ensure best outcomes for the patients.
Being accountable for the day-to-day delivery of care and management of
own workload.
Observing ANZCA Standards, in particular PS8 (2003)
Observing NZ Medial Science Council Scope of Practice
Observing NZ Medial Science Council Standards of Practice
Performance indicators
 Providing direct clinical and technical assistance to the Anaesthetist during
the induction of anaesthesia, and at the emergence/extubation of
Anaesthesia.
 Providing direct clinical and technical assistance to the Anaesthetist during
the maintenance of anaesthesia in accordance with current Department of
Anaesthesia guidelines.
 Identifying anaesthetic requirements for each procedure in accordance with
Current Otago DHB policies, procedures and guideline’s and ensuring that
all equipment and consumables are available to hand.
 Ensuring that all daily duty requirements as outlined in the Department of
Anaesthesia duty descriptions are completed to the acceptable level and
standard.
 Providing assistance to other members of the theatre team where
appropriate, recognising that the effective management of theatres depends
on effective communication and participation of all members of the multidisciplinary team.
2. Supplies, stock, equipment
Key Tasks
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Ensuring the availability of functioning equipment as, when and where
required.
Maintaining infection control standards.
Performance indicators
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Ensuring that all Anaesthetic and ancillary equipment is cleaned,
disinfected, sterilised, or discarded after each use in accordance with
Southern DHB policy and procedures.
SDHB 15198 V6 Issued: 15/12/08
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Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
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Ensuring all Anaesthetic and ancillary equipment and areas are restocked
and cleaned in accordance to Department of Anaesthesia guidelines.
Participating in stock management and ordering of supplies.
Ensuring that all anaesthetic equipment is fully operational and organising
repair/replacement as appropriate.
3. HCO vision and values
Key Tasks
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Contributing to the achievement of Southern DHB vision and values as
stated on the last page of this job description.
Promoting a patient focus.
Promoting cost effective integrated clinical practice.
Performance indicators
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Managing specific portfolio/s as required by Charge Anaesthetic
technician
Providing clinical advice within other service areas as appropriate.
4. Education
Key Tasks
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Promoting and participating in performance development.
Participating in trainee anaesthetic technicians training program as
required.
SDHB 15198 V6 Issued: 15/12/08
Page 4 of 6
Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
Performance indicators
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Assisting with the teaching, supervision and evaluation of Trainee
Anaesthetic Technicians as required by the Clinical Educator of Trainees
and/or Charge Anaesthetic Technician.
 Overseeing the work of trainee technicians when indicated.
 Participating in teaching sessions/tutorials for trainee and qualified
technicians with the aim of maintaining and enhancing technical skills, in
line with own special areas of interest/expertise.
5. Professional
Key Tasks
 Maintain a strong evidence / research base to practice
 Maintain own professional development/standards
Performance indicators
 Attending educational opportunities and conferences relevant to the role
and scope of practice.
 Maintaining professional reading.
 Learning new skills that will benefit you, the work of the department and
patients, such as cell saving and plasmapheresis where indicated.
 Is able to back up changes or initiatives with sound rationale
 Providing evidence of participation in contribution to relevant professional
groups / networks
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Requirement
Must have a Current NZ Medial Science Council practising certificate.
Skills/Knowledge
 An expert specialist knowledge base which is applied in situations of
complexity
 The ability to work independently as well as being a fully integrated
member of the theatre team.
 Knowledge of medico-legal and ethical responsibilities
 Ability to anticipate the clinical needs of other members of the theatre team.
 Ability to self-evaluate and reflect on practice.
 Highly motivated and be able to work in a stressful environment,
maintaining high standards at all times.
 A commitment to cultural awareness and its application to Anaesthetic
Technician practice.
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Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION
Anaesthetic Technician
 Computer literacy (preferred, not essential)
Hours of work
 Staff must be able to work as part of a 24 hour 7 days per week roster.
Personal Qualities
 A patient focus.
 A strong commitment and genuine interest in quality and service.
 A commitment to the development of the Anaesthetic Technician
profession within HealthCare Otago.
 The ability to communicate and work effectively with all staff levels and
disciplines.
This job description will be reviewed annually. Movement through the Salary Scale will be
dependent on the post holder being able to demonstrate commitment, involvement and active
work contribution in the areas outlined in this job description.
SDHB 15198 V6 Issued: 15/12/08
Page 6 of 6
Initial: Employee ________
Employer ________