JOB DESCRIPTION
Specialist Anaesthetist
Departments of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit
Position Title:
Consultant
Organisation Unit:
Department of Anaesthesia and the Intensive Care Unit
Location:
All facilities as determined by the clinical duties, Northland
District Health Board
Responsible to:
Clinical Heads of Department, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
Unit, Northland District Health Board
Primary Functions of
the Position:
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To provide effective and quality anaesthetic and critical care
services to the community served by the Northland District
Health Board in accordance with the standards of Australia
and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists as well as the
College of Intensive Care Medicine.
To provide appropriate and timely advice to the General
Manager Clinical Services on anaesthesia and critical care
matters and professional anaesthesia standards of practice.
To instruct, teach and advise Junior Medical Officers in
relation to anaesthesia, pre-op assessment, post-op and
critical care.
To participate in the standards, function and appointments of
nursing and technical staff in-so-far-as their function
concerns anaesthetic, pre and post-op management or ICU.
Functional Relationships
The Specialist Anaesthetist will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
 The Clinical Heads of Anaesthesia and
Intensive Care
 Anaesthesia and Surgical Consultants
 Other Anaesthesia and Surgical MO
 Surgical/Operating staff
 Pre & Post Operative Care staff
 ICU staff
 Administrative and management staff
 Other NDHB staff
External
 New Zealand Medical Council
 The practitioner’s relevant medical
college(s) and/or professional
association(s);
 Auckland DHB staff
 St John Practitioners
 Air Ambulance staff
Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will
respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following
Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with
NDHB:
Values
Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence,
confidence and innovation
The position of Specialist Anaesthetist encompasses the following major functions or key
result areas:
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Clinical Responsibilities
Records and Documentation
Patient Information and Informed Consent
Staff and Patient Relations
Consultation Advice
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Quality Assurance
Team Effectiveness
Service Planning Budgeting and Management
Resource Utilisation
Teaching Responsibilities
Continuing Medical Education
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Clinical Responsibilities
Expected Outcomes
 Professional responsibility to patients is paramount.
 The Anaesthetist will share responsibility with his colleagues
to ensure an efficient and effective quality anaesthetic and
critical care services are provided.
 The Anaesthetist will perform anaesthetic duties which lie
within his training and ability and will manage patients
according to contemporary convention and college
guidelines.
 Duties performed will be realistically possible within agreed
contracted hours. Routine Hours are 8 am to 6pm Monday to
Friday
Clinical Duties of the Anaesthetist may include:
Provision of anaesthesia for elective surgery sessions.
Provision of anaesthesia for acute (non booked) surgery.
Scheduled anaesthetic duties in other locations, eg Radiology,
CT, Psychiatric Unit, Delivery Suite.
Pre-operative assessment clinics.
ICU Cover - Clinical management and primary responsibility for
Key Responsibility Area
Records and
Documentation
Patient Information and
Informed Consent
Staff and Patient
Relations
Consultation Advice
Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention
Quality Assurance
Team Effectiveness
Service Planning,
Budgeting and
Management
Expected Outcomes
patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
Participation and coordination of air ambulance patient retrieval
service.
Acute Pain Service duties.
 Comprehensive and accurate medical records with respect
to anaesthesia/ICU will be maintained for all patients with
whom the Anaesthetist is involved.
 Patients will be given a clear explanation of all procedures
and treatments where possible.
 Informed consent will be obtained from all patients in
accordance with Northland District Health Board policy.
 The Anaesthetist will work together with other Anaesthetists
to ensure provision of a quality service.
 The Anaesthetist will liaise with other clinical specialists as
necessary to maintain optimal patient care.
 Annual leave will be coordinated within the Anaesthetic
Department in order to maintain service continuity.
 The Anaesthetist will see and advise on inpatients referred
by hospital specialist colleagues for an Anaesthetic opinion.
 The Anaesthetist shall make provision to be contacted by
the junior medical staff regarding elective cases and non-list
cases between 8am and 6pm weekdays.
 When on call for Anaesthetics, the Anaesthetist will liaise
closely with theatre staff to allow effective planning of theatre
usage.
 When on call for ICU the Anaesthetist will liaise with the ICU
Registrars and Charge Nurse to ensure continuity of service
and appropriate use of resources.
 When on call for ICU the Anaesthetist will also need to liaise
with Auckland, Whangarei and peripheral hospital
colleagues to ensure an efficient air retrieval service.
 The Anaesthetist shall take an active role in health
promotion as appropriate and as requested by the Manager,
Surgical Services, within contracted hours.
 The Anaesthetist will maintain the high standards of patient
care as set out by the College of Anaesthetists.
 The Anaesthetist will participate in the Quality Assurance
programme for Northland Health. This will incorporate
review of patient care, review of complications and review of
any deaths that occur in the service.
 The Anaesthetist shall ensure he fulfils the current
Departmental audit requirements.
 The Anaesthetist will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of
the surgical service as a whole.
 The Anaesthetist will attend as appropriate to any enquiries
or complaints from patients, relatives, staff or management.
 The Anaesthetist will contribute to the formal review of
anaesthetic staff within the Department annually.
 The Anaesthetist will work together with other Anaesthetists
to ensure provision of a quality service.
 The Anaesthetist will liaise with other clinical specialists as
necessary to maintain optimal patient care.
 Annual leave will be coordinated within the Department in
order to maintain service continuity.
 Overall forward planning and budgeting for the Surgical
Service will be conducted as a combined operation with
Anaesthetists, other surgical staff and the Manager, Surgical
Key Responsibility Area
Resource Utilisation
Teaching
Responsibilities
Continuing Medical
Education
Treaty of Waitangi
Health & Safety
Expected Outcomes
Services.
 Surgical service business plans, service budgets and capital
budgets and service priorities shall be prepared with the
involvement of the Anaesthetic Department.
 Budget estimates will reflect the availability of resources.
 Each Anaesthetist shall contribute in part to administration of
the Department and work together to achieve an effective
surgical service
 As a user of finite resources each Anaesthetist is
responsible for the effective and efficient use of such
resources and the utilisation of such departments within the
hospital which may aid in this matter.
 Expenditure on Theatre/ICU supplies and pharmaceuticals
will be as cost effective as possible.
 The Anaesthetist will, with his anaesthetic colleagues,
Theatre Manager, ICU Charge Nurse and other senior
health professionals, work with the nursing personnel of the
operating theatre and ICU and to ensure that resources are
used efficiently.
 The Anaesthetist will participate in the teaching of Resident
Medical Officers, Technicians and nursing staff.
 The Anaesthetist will keep up to date with trends and
developments and utilisation of technology in anaesthesia
and intensive care on an ongoing basis. This will be done
through regular discussion with colleagues, reading literature
and participating in conferences and meetings.
 Formal approval of an ethics committee via the Chief
Medical Advisor will be sought for any research undertaken
or involvement in therapeutic trials which will be conducted
in assistance with other ethics committees’ protocols.
 Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement of Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures
 Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes
 Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner
 Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of
Waitangi Training
 Observe and promote safe work practices, rules and
instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard
management
 Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
Practicing and observing safe work methods;
The use of safety equipment;
Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities may be amended from time to time, in consultation with
the employee, to meet any changing conditions and service requirements.
The Northland District Health Board will ensure
Adequate dedicated support services (e.g. secretarial) provided to enable the Anaesthetist to
carry out the duties described.
Provision of adequate equipment, services and technical assistance to the standard
recommended by the College of Anaesthetists as a minimum.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Desirable
Essential
 Qualified Medical Practitioner
 Qualified Medical Practitioner
 Must be eligible for vocational registration  Must be eligible for vocational registration
with the Medical Council of New Zealand
with the Medical Council of New Zealand
Experience
Desirable
 Previous experience as a Consultant
 Possession of FANZCA
Awareness and Understanding of
Desirable
 Privacy
Act
(1993)
and
Health  New Zealand Council of Healthcare
Information Privacy Code (1994)
Standards
 Health and Safety in Employment Act  The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
(1992)
to the health setting
 Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
 Computer skills – proficient in Excel and  Initiative
Word
 Numeracy skills
 Excellent communication skills
 Knowledge of Patient Management
System
 Demonstrated accurate documentation
skills
 Excellent clinical skills in anaesthesia
 Ability to work under pressure
 Forward planning
 Confidentiality
 Anticipate and prevent clinical problems
 Organisational skills
 Efficacy and efficiency in clinical
 Demonstrated commitment to ongoing
procedures
education
Personal Attributes
 Forward thinking
 Communication at all levels, excellent communication and interpersonal skills
 Professional and Clinical credibility
 Proven commitment to provision of quality care
 Function as a professional leader
 Ability to function as a multidisciplinary team member
 Commitment to own professional development
Position Outline
Section 1:
 The post is full time with the total hours to be outlined in Schedule I, as per job sizing.
 A separate consultant on call roster is provided to anaesthesia and intensive care. A total
of six consultants provide an after hours call to the ICU with a minimum call frequency of
a 1:6 roster averaged over the year. These numbers are subject to change and job size
will be adjusted as necessary.
 Registrar support is provided at all hours.
 Terms and Conditions of the senior medical staff national MECA apply. This is an
enhanced contract above those terms.
 The full time Anaesthetist/Intensivist will undertake eight rostered sessions comprising a
mix of 7 Clinical rostered sessions and an additional rostered non clinical session
Section 2:
CLINICAL DUTIES
Rostered session means any rostered period (five hours duration) performing clinical work or
being available to perform such work. This includes pre-operative visiting.
Rostered sessions may include:
 Elective theatre sessions
 Day time acute anaesthesia call
 Scheduled anaesthetic duties in other departments, e.g. imaging
 Pre-assessment clinics
 Pain service duties
 Intensive Care
 Retrieval service
A morning session is from 0800 – 1300 hours.
An afternoon session is from 1300 – 1800 hours.
Section3:
NON CLINICAL DUTIES
Rostered
 Administration
 Teaching
 Audit
 Quality Assurance
 Research
Unrostered
The following activities are not specifically rostered to scheduled times, but will usually take
place within the context of other scheduled activities. Remuneration for these duties and
activities is deemed to be included in the non rostered payment of 5 hours per week.
 regular participation in continuing medical education activities on a week-by-week basis,
by:
- attendance at weekly clinical meetings
- personal literature review – adherence to college guidelines of 40 hours Journal
reviews per annum is required either personally or by participation in journal review
meetings (attendance of at least 50% of planned meetings is therefore encouraged).
- Participation in national and local organisations dedicated to education and
maintenance of standards within.
 Administrative tasks not directly associated with clinics, ward rounds, theatre sessions.
 Preparation of materials for and provision of formal teaching to junior medical staff,
nursing staff, and other clinical support staff.
 Case preparation and research (planning for major cases).
 Business meetings (at least monthly)
Note that the following activities are also required, and are specifically covered by other
remuneration and leave provisions:
Attendance at New Zealand / Australian CME meetings at least once per annum, and at
regional / world CME meetings at least once every three years. (Note the provision of CME
leave and financial support for CME activities).
Section 4:
Weekly timetable is compiled by department roster maker. The usual arrangement is to
provide 8 sessions on four days with a fifth day unallocated.
Section 5:
The medical practitioner is required to undertake their clinical responsibilities and to conduct
themselves in all matters relating to their employment, in accordance with best practice and
relevant ethical and professional standards and guidelines, as determined from time to time
by:
the New Zealand Medical Association;
the practitioner’s relevant medical college(s) and/or professional association(s);
the New Zealand Medical Council;
the Health & Disability Commissioner; and
the employer’s policies and procedures except to the extent that they may be inconsistent
with any other provision of the Collective Agreement
Section 6:
No clinical leadership management role with this post.
Section 7:
An annual professional review will occur. This will include a review of job description. The
Clinical Head of Department will perform the annual review
Specific Objectives will be agreed annually and form part of the performance review.
Section 8:
Provisions for all leave are outlined in the Collective Agreement for Senior Medical Staff. This
provides for six weeks annual leave and twelve days CME with expenses. At least 4 weeks
notice of leave is required. Leave does not exist until approved by the Clinical Head of
Department.
Section 9:
The remuneration schedule, to be outlined in Schedule II, will be determined by years of
experience after review of Curriculum Vitae. A full time enhancement for flexibility of rostering
is added to Collective Employment terms.
Authorised by:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: