Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Working under the direction of the Department Head of Anesthesia (BCWH) and under the authority of the Birthing Program Manager and the Respiratory Therapy Professional Practice Leader; the Anesthesia Assistant performs clinical and technical duties related to anesthesia assistance such as testing, preparing and maintaining anesthesia equipment and supplies, assisting anesthesiologists with induction, maintenance and recovery phases of anesthesia and provides routine and intensive cardio-respiratory care to obstetrical patients as per established standards, policies and procedures.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.Sets up, tests, calibrates, operates and monitors equipment for regular use including anesthetic machines, breathing circuits, ventilators, scavenging devices, intubation equipment, fiberoptic bronchoscopes, monitoring equipment, infusion devices and blood gas machines. Assists the anesthesiologist with the trial use and evaluation of new equipment.

2.Prepares patients for surgery and performs pre-operative assessments as requested by the anesthesiologist.

3.Inserts or assists with the insertion of devices such as nasogastric tubes, esophageal stethoscopes, IV’s, intra-arterial lines, PIC lines, Swan Ganz catheters and Central Venous catheters.

4.Assists with or performs airway management, including insertion of laryngeal mask airways, intubations, difficult intubations and mask ventilation.

5.Assists in the positioning of patients under the direction of the anesthesiologist.

6.Adjusts the anesthetic (i.e.: ventilation, temperature control devices etc) as directed by the anesthesiologist.

7.Administers prescribed pharmacological agents to patients under the direction of the attending anesthesiologist, observing patient for side effects and efficacy of treatment during anesthesia to ensure patient is responding to drugs as prescribed. Assesses patient’s physiologic status during the anesthetic by performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, anesthetic gases and advising the anesthesiologist of the patient’s status.

8.Assists at anesthesia emergence by performing duties such as aspirating secretions from the trachea and pharynx, removing LMAs and extubating the patient. Removes monitoring equipment after surgery.

9.Assists with the transfer of ventilated and/or anesthetized patients between areas of the hospital as required.

10.Initiates, manages, monitors and assesses non-invasive & invasive ventilation of the respiratory compromised non-anesthetized patient requiring short term ventilation (< 6 hours) awaiting transfer to an adult intensive care unit, under the direction of the anesthesiologist and/or consultant Intensivist.   

11.Transfers post-operative patients to the Post Anesthesia Room (PAR) under the direction of the anesthesiologist.

12.Monitors patient’s progress in the PAR, updates anesthesia monitoring sheets and reports patient status to the anesthesiologist, as requested.

13.Provides diagnostic data for the anesthesiologist by performing duties such as blood sampling and analysis, pulmonary function testing, end tidal CO2 monitoring, pulse oximetry and transcutaneous monitoring.

14.Assists with cell saver procedures as per the request of and under the direction of
Perfusion Services and the anesthesiologist.

15.Participates in operating room infection control program by performing duties such as assessing infection control in anesthetic equipment to safety standards in accordance with quality assurance programs.  Maintains measures, according to established procedures, to minimize Operating Room pollution.

16.Prepares fibreoptic bronchoscopes and other equipment required, and assists the anesthesiologist during bronchoscopy with equipment setup, preparation of and installation of medication and sample procurement.

17.Performs pre-use safety checks on anesthetic equipment and maintains records of problems and histories to ensure safety of equipment prior to use.

18.In conjunction with the Respiratory Therapy and Biomedical Engineering departments, maintains a variety of anesthetic equipment by performing duties such as receiving and assessing equipment, testing and identifying malfunctions and determining whether repairs should be performed on-site or equipment returned to vendor. Completes minor maintenance following manufacturer’s and Canadian Standards Association guidelines and verifies vendor repairs to ensure equipment is operating in a safe and effective manner.

19.Where appropriate meets with medical equipment and pharmacological sales representatives to organize trial and evaluation of new equipment and drugs according to hospital protocol. Gathers and collates feedback and participates in purchase decisions.

20.Attends training programs as required and participates in in-services. Orientates medical, allied health professionals and students to anesthesia equipment and procedures.

21.Assists with resuscitation at cardiac arrests according to established standards, policies and procedures.

22.Maintains specialty equipment such as the difficult intubation and malignant hyperthermia (MH) carts by ensuring the appropriate supplies and equipment are available and in proper working order.

23.Assists anesthesiologists with cases in satellite locations by performing duties such as preparing patient for procedure, entering patient data, assisting with airway, ventilatory and circulatory support, and maintaining equipment.

24.Assists anesthesiologists with research through methods such as collecting data, summarizing information, and/or providing verbal updates for review and further analysis by principal researcher and research team.

25.Participates in quality assurance activities and risk management by performing duties such as participating on designated committees, identifying and troubleshooting problems, and completing audits and evaluations on patient charts to ensure quality service standards and safe and effective anesthesia practices.

26.Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•Graduate from a recognized school of Respiratory Therapy, plus two years recent Operating Room or Critical Care experience.
•Completion of an accredited post-graduate diploma in Anesthesia Technology.
•Membership in the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT), and the British Columbia Society of Respiratory Therapists (BCSRT).
•Current Basic Cardiac Life Support
•Neonatal Resuscitation Program  

Skills and Abilities

•Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•Ability to collaborate effectively with all team members.
•Ability to deal with others effectively.
•Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
•Ability to organize work.
•Ability to operate related equipment.
•Critical thinking skills.