Anaesthesia Assistant - Royal Columbian Hospital

Fraser Health; New Westminster; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is currently seeking a Full-Time Anaesthesia Assistant for Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C. The ideal candidate will have a post-graduate diploma in Anaesthesia Assistance and relevant certifications. This position involves providing technical support and clinical assistance in anaesthesia during surgical procedures. Successful candidates will have strong communication skills and the ability to work independently. The role also offers comprehensive benefits, including employer-paid health coverage and pension enrollment.

Benefits

Comprehensive employer-paid benefits

Generous vacation time

Maternity top-up

Pension enrollment from day one

TransLink pass subsidy

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Anaesthesia Assistant Program.
• Membership eligibility with CSRT and BCSRT.
• Current certification in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Anaesthesiologist during surgeries.
• Monitor patient responses during anaesthesia.
• Provide educational support for others regarding anaesthesia.

Skills

Knowledge of anaesthesia assistant theory

Communication skills

Ability to work independently

Computer skills

Ability to assess client responses

Education

Post-graduate diploma Anaesthesia Assistant Program

Certification in CPR and ACLS

Job description

Salary
The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27 - $52.81 / hour

Job Summary

We are currently looking to fill a Full-Time opportunity for a Anaesthesia Assistant at Royal Columbian Hospital located in New Westminster, B.C.

Royal Columbian Hospital is conveniently located adjacent to the Sapperton SkyTrain station on the Expo Line. This makes it easily accessible by public transit for both patients and staff.

Join us on an exciting project and make history. The Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project (RCHRP) is a multi‑year, multi‑phase project to increase the hospital's capacity, beds, and services. Read more about RCHRP Phase Two.

New Westminster

New Westminster is known for its stunning waterfront views along the Fraser River, located on the north side of the Fraser River bordering several municipalities. It is the centre of the Greater Vancouver region.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, 100% Employer‑Paid Benefits: Enjoy peace of mind with full coverage.
• Generous Vacation Time: Eligible employees can earn up to four weeks of vacation to recharge and relax.
• Benefit Portability: Seamlessly transfer your benefits from another HEABC employer.
• Immediate Pension Enrollment: Secure your future with a defined municipal pension plan from day one.
• Maternity Top‑Up: Receive an 87% top‑up during maternity leave.
• TransLink Pass Subsidy: Save on commuting costs with a 50% subsidy on TransLink passes.
• Additional employee discounts and perks available.

*Eligibility based on employment status

Detailed Overview

In accordance with established standards of practice and guidelines, the Anaesthesia Assistant works under the direct clinical supervision of the Anaesthesiologist to provide technical support and clinical assistance in the induction, maintenance, and recovery phases of anaesthesia, including monitoring physiological responses of patients during surgery.

Maintains, operates, and calibrates anaesthesiology, cell‑saving, and related equipment; maintains measurements and equipment recordings; documents procedures performed on individual patients by Anaesthetic Assistants, maintains records, records and enters data/information into database. As an integrated surgical team member, participates on clinical committees, anaesthesiology research, and special projects.

Responsibilities

• Provides diagnostic and therapeutic services under clinical direction of the Anaesthesiologist by assisting with and/or performing duties involving:
  • Pre‑induction
  • Arterial line catheterization
  • Endotracheal Intubation
  • Central line insertion
  • Autotransfusion (cell saver)
  • Pulmonary artery catheter insertion
  • Setting up and assisting with insertion and taping of epidurals
  • Assists in other areas such as MRI, CT, Angio, as required
• Performs and/or assists with arterial punctures, blood sampling from arterial lines, airway management and assists Anaesthesiologist with difficult intubations.
• Under Anaesthesiologist direction, checks and administers blood products to meet patient requirements using rapid infusion equipment, monitors patient vital signs pre and post transfusion for adverse reactions.
• Performs cell saving and blood salvaging functions during surgery as requested by Anaesthesiologist and surgeons.
• Administers inhaled medications such as bronchodilators, epinephrine, and xylocaine; monitors patient airways; adjusts ventilation modalities as required to ensure adequate patient ventilation and oxygenation.
• Administers prescribed pharmacological agents to patients under the direct supervision of the anaesthesiologist by performing duties such as drawing up prescribed drugs, observing patient for side effects and observing the efficacy of treatment during surgery.
• Provides diagnostic data for Anaesthesiologist by performing duties such as arterial blood gas sampling and point‑of‑care analysis, pulmonary function testing, exhaled gas monitoring, vital signs and pulse oximetry.
• Responds to and assists with airway emergencies requiring anaesthesiology intervention and with cardiac arrests in the OR and Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and other areas of the hospital.
• In urgent/emergent situations, provides anaesthetic care to stable patients, following clear guidelines as directed by Anaesthesiologist, in the event of a temporary absence by the Anaesthesiologist.
• Initiates and provides ventilatory support services for patients in PACU such as ventilatory and airway management, high‑flow oxygen therapy, specialty inhalational therapy; communicates with the Anesthesiologist to develop a care plan for patients requiring long‑term ventilation.
• Provides peri‑operative support for pacemaker procedures, patient monitoring, operation of analyzer and completion of records.
• Assists clinically and technically with fiber‑optic bronchoscopy and intubations by performing tasks such as equipment preparation, calibration, and pre/post use operational verification.
• Provides clinical education for Respiratory Therapy students and paramedics.
• Provides general orientation/education related to anaesthesia equipment and procedures to medical/allied health professionals and students, as appropriate.
• Performs scheduled and routine maintenance and repairs on a variety of anaesthetic and cell‑saving equipment or arranges repairs.
• Maintains and calibrates anaesthesia related equipment throughout the hospital (OR, PACU, and FBU) in collaboration with the Biomedical Engineering Department.
• Maintains documentation of procedures performed on individual patients by Anaesthesia Assistant; co‑signs the anaesthetic record sheet to acknowledge involvement in each case; maintains a variety of records by gathering information, entering data into computerized databases and summarizing information into reports.
• As a member of an integrated surgical team, participates on professional committees and teams by attending meetings, drafting/revising patient care documentation methods/forms for review by committee/team and providing input to promote improvements to client care and the efficient and safe operation of the area.
• Participates in anaesthesiology research and special projects by collecting data, integrating and interpreting data, summarizing information, and/or providing updates for review and further analysis by the Supervisor.
• Assists with the transfer and transportation of ventilated and monitored patients by monitoring respiratory status during transport.
• Maintains and develops professional knowledge by attending educational/training events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited post‑graduate diploma Anaesthesia Assistant Program.

Graduation from a recognized School of Respiratory Therapy Diploma Program plus three (3) years' recent related clinical experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Eligible for membership with the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT), and the British Columbia Society of Respiratory Therapy (BCSRT).

Current certification in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).

Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of current anaesthesia assistant theory and practice.
• Broad knowledge of Canadian Anesthesiologist's Society clinical practice guidelines for Anaesthesia Assistants.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement anaesthesia related plans of care.
• Demonstrated ability to assess client responses to care, and to respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Broad knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to effectively use a computerized patient care information system.
• Demonstrated skill in the use of related medical equipment and supplies.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlakaʼpamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People – those we care for and those who care for them – are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community‑based services are delivered by a team of 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the workforce. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

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