Anesthesia Assistant

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking skilled Anaesthesia Assistants to join their dynamic team. In this vital role, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional care to surgical patients, managing anesthesia, and ensuring their safety throughout the procedure and recovery phases. You will work closely with anesthetists and other healthcare professionals, utilizing your expertise in airway management and pharmacological administration. This position offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills in a supportive environment while making a significant impact on patient care. If you are passionate about providing high-quality healthcare and thrive in a collaborative setting, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Registered with CRTO or CNO, with 1-3 years of hospital experience.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Administers pharmacologic drugs and manages anesthetic depth.
• Performs airway management and assists in patient preparation for surgery.
• Monitors patients during recovery and collaborates with health team.

Skills

Ventilator management

Airway management

Excellent communication skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Collaboration with health care team

Education

Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy

Diploma in Nursing

Degree in Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance

Tools

Anesthetic gas machines

Intubation equipment

Monitoring equipment

Bronchoscopes

Job description

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

1. Advanced diploma in Respiratory Therapy, diploma in Nursing or degree in Nursing
2. Graduate Certificate in Anesthesia Assistance from a Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists-Accredited Anesthesia Assistant Education Program
3. Registered with the College Of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) or Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
4. Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support required
5. 1 to 3 years’ hospital experience which could include the practicum for Anaesthesia Assistant program
6. Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
7. Gentle Persuasive Approach training, preferred
8. Skills & knowledge to include ventilator management, airway management, arterial blood gas procurement, perform diagnostic testing, perform and provide therapeutic management
9. Must possess excellent communication skills
10. Ability to prioritize workload
11. Work effectively and collaboratively with the inter-professional health care team

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 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
2. Performs airway management, including insertion of laryngeal masks, intubation
3. Assists with difficult airway management
4. Assists in the preparation and care of the patient in all phases of the surgical care
5. Assist and monitor regional anesthesia to include, but not limited to, spinal, epidural, IV regional, and other special blocks
6. Evaluate life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest, and assist with protocols established within BLS, ACLS
7. Assist with the transfer of ventilated and/or anesthetized patients between areas of the hospital as required.
8. Responds to cardiac arrests in OR, PACU, or other locations according to hospital procedures and policies
9. Set up, test, calibrate, troubleshoot anesthesia equipment: Anesthetic gas machines, intubation equipment, bronchoscopes, monitoring equipment and infusion devices and other as required
10. Provides ventilation monitoring in Post Anesthetic Room
11. Works collaboratively with all members of the Health Team
12. Provides education and training to patients, families, and health care professionals
13. Completes documentation as per clinical standards in anesthetic record and other records as required
14. Maintains workload statistics for MIS
15. Communicates with the interdisciplinary team & completes Transfer of Accountability with the team
16. Updates anaesthesia monitoring records and reports patient status to the anaesthesiologist as requested