Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Select, check and prepare airway management equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
   • Review information about client and type of surgical procedure and anticipate type and calculate size of airway management equipment
   • Identify and respond to situations where anaesthetist needs to confirm selection
   • Conduct pre-use safety check of selected equipment
   • Diagnose airway management equipment faults and rectify within scope of role
   • Prepare and position equipment for use following safe manual handling techniques
3. Perform bag and mask ventilation
   • Position patient for bag/mask ventilation
   • Confirm adequate ventilation and rectify any issues preventing adequate ventilation
   • Insert oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal airway if indicated
   • In consultation with the anaesthetist determine when to cease bag/mask ventilation
4. Assist with insertion of supraglottic airway devices (SAD)
   • Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare (SAD)
   • Anticipate needs of the anaesthetist
   • Assist with positioning of client
   • Provide assistance during insertion
   • Inflate cuff of SAD in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines, clinical indications and anaesthetist’s directions
   • Secure airway into position when directed
5. Assist with insertion of endotracheal, orally or nasally and/or endobronchial tubes
   • Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare endotracheal or endobronchial tube and other intubation equipment
   • Assist with positioning of client for intubation
   • Anticipate needs of the anaesthetist
   • Provide assistance with insertion including use of stylet, bougie and/or cricoid manipulation
   • If applicable, inflate cuff according to industry standard.
   • When indicated, assist with insertion of throat pack including appropriate documentation of insertion/removal
   • If directed, use a stethoscope to identify breathing sounds
   • Secure airway into position when directed
6. Assist with rapid sequence induction
   • Determine rationale for rapid sequence induction
   • Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare equipment for rapid sequence induction
   • Inform client of procedures to be completed by the anaesthetic technician
   • Apply cricoid pressure , monitor patient for vomiting and remove pressure when instructed by the anaesthetist
   • Assist with insertion of endotracheal tube
   • Secure airway into position if directed.
7. Assist with predicted difficult airway/intubation
   • Discuss and confirm equipment preparation, intubation plan and contingencies with anaesthetist
   • Select, undertake pre-use safety checks and prepare required equipment
   • Inform client of tasks to be undertaken by anaesthetic technician.
   • Anticipate anaesthetist needs in patient preparation and assist throughout intubation
   • When appropriate, return clean equipment to storage location and send used equipment for processing.
   • Debrief with anaesthetic team on outcome of intubation.
8. Assist with connection/ disconnection of client to/from ventilation equipment
   • Select and prepare ventilation equipment and materials
   • Set ventilation modes and parameters and ensure warning devices are switched on, tested and are registering that the equipment is safe prior to use with client
   • Observe equipment whilst in use and take action immediately if fault develops to avoid danger to equipment, clients and staff
   • Follow established procedures to rectify faulty equipment
   • Check client’s physiological parameters when required or as directed by anaesthetist
   • Identify, validate and report deviations from acceptable limits of physiological parameters to the medical practitioner
   • Report signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction to the anaesthetist
9. Assist in management of client’s airway during emergence phase
   • Assist anaesthetist with client positioning to facilitate management of client’s airway
   • Assist anaesthetist to optimise oxygenation of client
   • Assist with oral/nasal/endotracheal/SAD suctioning.
   • Assist anaesthetist as required during SAD removal or extubation and be prepared for possible reintubation
   • Provide reassurance to the client and take action to limit injury
   • Observe client’s condition throughout the procedure and take action when required or at the direction of the anaesthetist
10. Select, check and prepare airway management equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
    • Review information about client and type of surgical procedure and anticipate type and calculate size of airway management equipment
    • Identify and respond to situations where anaesthetist needs to confirm selection
    • Conduct pre-use safety check of selected equipment
    • Diagnose airway management equipment faults and rectify within scope of role
    • Prepare and position equipment for use following safe manual handling techniques
11. Assist in management of client’s airway during emergence phase
    • Assist anaesthetist with client positioning to facilitate management of client’s airway
    • Assist anaesthetist to optimise oxygenation of client
    • Assist with oral/nasal/endotracheal/SAD suctioning.
    • Assist anaesthetist as required during SAD removal or extubation and be prepared for possible reintubation
    • Provide reassurance to the client and take action to limit injury
    • Observe client’s condition throughout the procedure and take action when required or at the direction of the anaesthetist

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established airway management processes and techniques including performing or assisting with at least 10 of each of the following:

pre-oxygenation

bag or mask ventiliation

Supraglottic Airway Device (SAD) insertion

oral insertion of endotracheal tubes

airway management during emergence

followed established airway management processes and techniques including performing or assisting with at least 3 of each of the following:

endobronchial tube insertion

nasal insertion of endotracheal tubes

laser tubes

rapid sequence induction

predicted difficult airway

attaching clients to ventilators

tracheostomy tube

performed or assisted with airway management on different client types of varied ages, both conscious and unconscious

responded and adapted to airway management problems:

routine

unpredictable

---

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) for airway management, and how these are applied in organisations:

codes of practice

duty of care

infection prevention and control

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

work health and safety (WHS)

considerations for airway management in different types of surgery, including:

general/regional/local anaesthetic and sedation

remote site - radiology, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) & endoscopy

general/gastro-intestinal surgery

ear, nose and throat surgery

gynaecological surgery

obstetric surgery

orthopaedic surgery

vascular surgery

urological surgery

oral/dental/maxillofacial surgery

cardiothoracic surgery

neurosurgery

plastic surgery

trauma/emergency surgery

ophthalmic surgery

paediatric

airway equipment, including function and operating guidelines, use, indications and limitations, and criteria for withdrawal for:

laryngoscopes blades

fibreoptic bronchoscopes

videoscopes

cricothyrotomy kits

oral and nasal airways

oral endotracheal tubes

laser tubes

nasal endotracheal tubes

tracheostomy tubes

endobronchial tubes

supraglottic airway devices

jet insufflations

intubation adjuncts – bougie, stylet, Magill’s forceps

types of suction equipment, its indication for use and hazards associated with usage

airway management procedures, common issues and scope of technician role in:

bag or mask ventilation

Supraglottic airway device insertion

insertion of endotracheal tube, orally or nasally and endobronchial tubes

rapid sequence induction

predicted difficult airway

airway management during emergence

emergency airway algorithms

gas induction

client considerations for airway management:

relationship between client positioning techniques and optimal airway management

pre-medications and their effects on respiration

causes, signs and symptoms of loss of airway

remedial actions to address loss of airway

type of surgery, including shared airway

anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology factors that impact airway management for different client groups

medical terminology specific to airway management

roles and responsibilities of those participating in the anaesthetic procedure

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Policy guidelines andDifficult airway society guidelines

---