Anaesthesia Assistant

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is seeking an Anaesthesia Assistant (AA-RT or AA-RN) to participate in perioperative care under anesthesiologist supervision. The role includes pre-anesthetic assessments, airway and monitor management, medication administration, and post-operative care in a demanding surgical setting.

The successful candidate will have relevant Canadian credentials, BLS/ACLS, and 1–3 years hospital experience; strong communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy, diploma in Nursing or degree in Nursing.
• Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance from a Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists-Accredited Anesthesia Assistant Education Program.
• Registered with the College Of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) or Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
• Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support required.
• 1 to 3 years’ hospital experience which could include the practicum for Anaesthesia Assistant program.
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families.
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training, preferred.
• Skills & knowledge to include ventilator management, airway management, arterial blood gas procurement, perform diagnostic testing, perform and provide therapeutic management.
• Must possess excellent communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with the inter-professional health care team.

Responsibilities

• Administers prescribed pharmacologic drugs and monitors anesthetic depth during operative care.
• Performs airway management including laryngeal masks and intubation.
• Assists with difficult airway management.
• Assists in preparation and care of the patient in all phases of surgical care.
• Assist and monitor regional anesthesia including spinal, epidural, IV regional, and other blocks.
• Evaluate life‑threatening situations and assist with ACLS/BLS protocols.
• Assist with transfer of ventilated and/or anesthetized patients as required.
• Set up, test, and troubleshoot anesthesia equipment and monitoring devices.
• Provides ventilation monitoring in the Post Anesthetic Room.
• Completes documentation per clinical standards in anesthetic records and MIS statistics.
• Communicates with the interdisciplinary team and completes Transfer of Accountability.
• Updates anaesthesia monitoring records and reports patient status to the anaesthesiologist.

Skills

Communication skills

Prioritization

Team collaboration

Patient care

Education

Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy

Diploma in Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance

Job description

Position Details

Job Number:

JR02453

Department:

Anaesthesia Respiratory Services

Job Type:

Regular, Full time

Work Environment:

In-Person

Contract Duration: (If applicable)

0 months

Number of Positions:

1

Hourly Rate (Min / Max):

$54.1605 - $62.7862

Schedule

Work Days:

Holidays, Monday to Sunday, Weekends

Time of Day:

Days, Evenings

Shift:

Hours - 10, Hours -12, Hours - 7.5, Various Rotating

Shift Start: (If applicable)

Reason for Posting:

Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates

Opening Date:

2026-10-15

Closing Date:

2026-10-22

Position Summary

The Anaesthesia Assistants (AA-RT or AA-RN) are specially trained professionals that participate and execute in the care of the surgical patient during general, regional, or conscious sedation through medical directives under the supervision of the anesthesiologist. The Anaesthesia Assistants obtain pre-anesthetic health history, perform preoperative physical exams, establish non-invasive and invasive monitors, administer medications, evaluate and treat life-threatening situations.

Qualifications

• Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy, diploma in Nursing or degree in Nursing
• Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance from a Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists-Accredited Anesthesia Assistant Education Program
• Registered with the College Of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) or Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
• Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support required
• 1 to 3 years’ hospital experience which could include the practicum for Anaesthesia Assistant program
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training, preferred
• Skills & knowledge to include ventilator management, airway management, arterial blood gas procurement, perform diagnostic testing, perform and provide therapeutic management
• Must possess excellent communication skills
• Ability to prioritize workload
• Work effectively and collaboratively with the inter-professional health care team

Responsibilities

• Administers prescribed pharmacologic drugs, maintains and adjusts appropriate anesthetic depth, manages additional treatment and delivers continuous anesthesia care and monitoring into and during the postoperative recovery phase to patients through medical directives or under the supervision of the Anaesthetist
• Performs airway management, including insertion of laryngeal masks, intubation
• Assists with difficult airway management
• Assists in the preparation and care of the patient in all phases of the surgical care
• Assist and monitor regional anesthesia to include, but not limited to, spinal, epidural, IV regional, and other special blocks
• Evaluate life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest, and assist with protocols established within BLS, ACLS
• Assist with the transfer of ventilated and/or anesthetized patients between areas of the hospital as required.
• Responds to cardiac arrests in OR, PACU, or other locations according to hospital procedures and policies
• Set up, test, calibrate, troubleshoot anesthesia equipment: Anesthetic gas machines, intubation equipment, bronchoscopes, monitoring equipment and infusion devices and other as required
• Provides ventilation monitoring in Post Anesthetic Room
• Works collaboratively with all members of the Health Team
• Provides education and training to patients, families, and health care professionals
• Completes documentation as per clinical standards in anesthetic record and other records as required
• Maintains workload statistics for MIS
• Communicates with the interdisciplinary team & completes Transfer of Accountability with the team
• Updates anaesthesia monitoring records and reports patient status to the anaesthesiologist as requested
• #SJHHjobs

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people.We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]).