- Works in Anesthesia Services where staff provide anesthesia for elective and emergency surgery, obstetric and medical procedures as required in patients of all age groups from newborn to the very elderly. The primary work area includes major and minor operating room plus the Anesthesia work room.
- Assists Anaesthetist in OR and in other areas where Anesthesia or Cardio Pulmonary
- Resuscitation is required.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists in all anesthesia procedures according to the departmental policy.
- Audits the anesthetic equipment and materials to ensure that they are working effectively and reports deficiencies immediately to the Anesthesiologist.
- Reports faults in equipment or deficient supplies to the head of department or designate.
- Prepares medical supply requests for the department.
- Must abide by department policies and procedures as well as hospital by-laws, rules and regulations within the Quality Program.
- Assists Anesthetist with assembling in the O.R. or where required, supplies and equipment for administration of anesthesia and patient monitoring for elective and emergency surgery.
- Assists during induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation as well as during maintenance of and recovery from anesthesia
- Understands sequence of procedures required for rapid induction and intubation used in emergency cases to prevent vomiting and aspiration. Performs Sellick's
- Manoeuvre (Cricoids’ Pressure) as required.
- Positions patients for surgery and those requiring spinal or epidural anesthesia with awareness of requirement of a sterile field sterile technique for the procedure.
- Between cases removes soiled material from Anesthesia Machine and Anesthesia Cart and replaces same with clean or sterile material as required.
- Maintains Anesthesia Machine in state of readiness by keeping adequate fresh supplies available.
- Replaces ECG electrodes, breathing circuits and suction apparatus after each case.
- Learns and keeps current with the names of equipment, supplies and pharmacological agents and is familiar with their location.
- Ensures that work room is left neat and well organized for the following day.
- Understands procedures used and assists with C.P.R. in the O.R.
- Receives delivery of supplies and pharmaceuticals and stores them in proper location.
- Performs general cleaning of anesthesia machine, monitoring equipment and storage spaces.
- Checks anesthesia machine every morning prior to surgery to ensure that the gas scavenging system is attached and the suction apparatus is attached and functioning.
- Attaches monitoring devices such as ECG electrodes, B.P. cuff and temperature probe to patient prior to anesthesia.
- Washes and sterilizes re-usable material.
- Shares "on-call" rotation to provide assistance for emergency surgeries during other than normal working hours, i.e. nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Knows how to set-up, calibrate and operate all anesthesia equipment and monitors.
- Maintains awareness of safety hazards and takes necessary action to prevent accidents.
- Maintains confidentiality of patient records and activities in the O.R.
- Participates in fire and disaster plan drills.
- Answers phone and relays messages.
- Complies with hospital dress code.
- Performs other applicable tasks and duties assigned within the realm of the employee's knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Acts as a Patient Safety advocate.
- Adheres to the Infection Control Policies and Procedures of the hospital
