Anaesthesia Assistant - Job Share

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Hamilton is seeking an experienced Anaesthesia Assistant to provide anesthesia care and monitor patients during surgical procedures. This role requires an advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy or a nursing degree, certification in anesthesia assistance, and experience in a hospital setting. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the healthcare team are essential. The ideal candidate will participate in all phases of surgical patient care.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years’ hospital experience, ideally including practicum for Anaesthesia Assistant program.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in care of seniors.
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer pharmacologic drugs and manage anesthetic depth.
• Perform airway management and assist with difficult airway management.
• Evaluate life-threatening situations like cardiac arrest.

Skills

Ventilator management

Airway management

Excellent communication skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Education

Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy or degree in Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance

Registered with CRTO or CNO

Job description

Overview

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