Profession anaesthetic technician

Anaesthetic technicians assist specialised doctors in anaesthetics. They prepare operating theatres and other specialised clinics for anaesthetic procedures, prepare the equipment needed for anaesthesia, and assist with inducing and maintaining adequate anaesthesia and post-anaesthesia procedures. They do so under supervision, following the orders of the doctor of medicine.

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Personality Type

• Social / Investigative
• Realistic / Investigative
• Social / Realistic
• Conventional / Social

Knowledge

• Surgical asepsis

  The way to keep equipment and surfaces sterile to prevent infections during medical care.

• First aid

  The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

• Infection control

  The routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms in the prevention of infection.

• Medical informatics

  The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.

• Human anatomy

  The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.

• Biophysics

  The characteristics of biophysics which span across various fields, using methods from physics in order to study biological elements.

• Human physiology

  The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.

• Emergency medicine

  Emergency medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Professional documentation in health care

  The written standards applied in the health care professional environments for documentation purposes of one`s activity.

• Resuscitation

  The emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.

• Emergency surgery

  The characteristics and methods of a surgical intervention performed in emergency cases.

• Pharmacology

  Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Surgery

  The essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedures used in the operating room.

• Intensive care medicine

  Medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.

• Sterilization techniques

  The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.

• Anaesthetics

  Anaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

Skills

• Administer anaesthetics to patients

  Give anaesthetics to patients for intensive care and surgery using local anaesthetic for a minor operation on a small area of the body, regional anaesthetic and general anaesthetic.

• Dispose medical waste

  Dispose all types of medical waste such as infective, toxic and radioactive waste.

• Work in multidisciplinary health teams

  Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• Order supplies for anaesthesia services

  Order for the anaesthesia department medical supplies related to the equipment, tools and medication used for the operating procedures.

• Comply with legislation related to health care

  Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

• Monitor patients during surgery

  Observe and monitor patients during surgery, responding quickly to any changes.

• Ensure the positioning of the patient for surgery

  Create conditions for the most advantageous positioning of the patient in preparation for surgery, working from the surgeon`s indications, making sure the patient is safe and comfortable.

• Deal with emergency care situations

  Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.  

• Tolerate stress

  Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.

• Maintain anaesthetic machinery

  Check and maintain anaesthetic and life support machines to ensure full functionality in the operating room during the procedures.

• Ensure safety of healthcare users

  Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

• Monitor patient's vital signs

  Monitor and analyse vital signs of heart, respiration, and blood pressure.

• Monitor stock level

  Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.

• Manage healthcare users' data

  Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.

• Empathise with the healthcare user

  Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

• Assess patients after surgery

  Examine and assess the patient after the surgical procedure, checking the patient`s condition and helping with transferring the patient from the operating room.

• Manage infection control in the facility

  Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.

• Undertake healthcare examination

  Assess the healthcare user's physical state, taking detailed information on previous injuries, surgery, general health, resources and lifestyle into account.

• Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

  Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB