Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and prepare for anaesthesia for a range of surgical specialities, and provide assistance to the anaesthetist during regional anaesthesia, invasive monitoring and other anaesthetic related procedures. It includes the ability to prepare and monitor both client and equipment during the procedure.
This unit applies to anaesthetic technicians working under the direction of, and in consultation with, an anaesthetist in any hospital or day surgery setting.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Prepare client and equipment | 1.1 Read procedure information, check anaesthetist requirements and surgical factors that may impact on the anaesthetic procedure 1.2 Develop and communicate individualised anaesthesia plan in collaboration with anaesthetist 1.3 Select and prepare equipment and materials in relation to sequence and requirements of the clients and their anaesthetic procedure 1.4 Ensure all relevant anaesthetic equipment and materials are clean/disinfected/sterile, functioning correctly, prepared for use, and if necessary, calibrated 1.5 Position equipment and materials for accessibility 1.6 Accurately document accountable anaesthetic items 1.7 Position the client for the procedure and provide optimum conditions to facilitate access 1.8 Check environment for administration of anaesthesia and adjust accordingly |
2. Provide assistance to the anaesthetist | 2.1 Provide assistance to the anaesthetist during anaesthetic procedures and the induction, maintenance and completion of anaesthesia 2.2 Check client’s physiological parameters when required or as directed by anaesthetist 2.3 Complete required documentation 2.4 Identify, validate and report deviations from acceptable limits of the client’s physiological parameters to the anaesthetist 2.5 Report signs of client discomfort, distress or adverse reaction to the anaesthetist 2.6 Assist with the perioperative medical management of the patient |
3. Restore equipment and environment at completion of procedure | 3.1 Clean, disinfect or sterilise equipment in accordance with infection control guidelines and manufacturer’s instructions 3.2 Manage faulty equipment in accordance with organisation policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines 3.3 Restore the environment to required status 3.4 Restock consumables according to facility requirements |
Evidence of Performance
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:
planned, prepared and assisted during induction, maintenance and completion of anaesthesia for each of the following for at least two lists each:
general surgery/gastro-intestinal – major laparotomy & minor surgery
ear, nose and throat surgery
gynaecological surgery - major & minor
obstetric surgery
orthopaedic surgery - major & minor
vascular surgery - major & minor
urological surgery - major & minor
ophthalmic surgery
paediatric – minor ear nose and throat (ENT), general & orthopaedic
remote site anaesthesia – radiology, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), endoscopy
provided assistance with each of the following procedures on at least 3 occasions, ensuring use of aseptic technique:
spinal
arterial line
central venous catheter
provided assistance with each of the following procedures on at least 2 occasions, ensuring use of aseptic technique:
local
regional blocks including use of ultrasound
upper limb
lower limb
TAP block
epidural/combined spinal-epidural
caudal
peripherally inserted central catheter
midline catheter
transoesophageal echocardiograph (TOE)
blood patch
intercostal drainage
pain management procedures (e.g. chemical sympathectomy)
vascular 'cut downs'
external pacing
pulmonary artery catheter
balloon pump
intracranial pressure monitoring
12 lead ECG
monitored physiological parameters with reference to standard values of normal physiological function for each client’s usual parameters
Evidence of Knowledge
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 clinical procedures, 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 and clinical documentation
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety (WHS)
types of regional and invasive procedures, how they are performed, and the anaesthetic technician’s role, for the following:
spinal
epidural
combined spinal-epidural
caudal
local
regional blocks, including use of ultrasound
upper limb
lower limb
TAP block
blood patch
arterial line
central venous catheter
peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
midline catheter
transoesophageal echocardiograph (TOE)
intercostal drainage
pain management procedures
vascular 'cut downs'
external pacing
pulmonary artery catheter
balloon pump
intracranial pressure monitoring
cell salvage/autotransfusion
12 lead ECG
spinal cord monitoring
types of equipment used for regional and invasive procedures, including function and operating guidelines, use, indications and limitations, and criteria for withdrawal
monitoring of and maintenance of stock levels perioperatively, including CO2 absorber, medications, fluids, consumables
anatomy, physiology factors that impact regional and invasive procedures for different client groups
pre-medications and their effects
types of surgery – emergency/urgent/elective/day case
types of common surgical procedures, their classification and factors for planning, preparation and management of anaesthesia, including:
general surgery/gastro-intestinal – major laparotomy & minor
ear, nose and throat surgery
gynaecological surgery - major & minor
obstetric surgery
orthopaedic surgery - major & minor
vascular surgery - major & minor
urological surgery - major & minor
ophthalmic surgery
paediatric – minor ENT, general & orthopaedic
dental/faciomaxillary surgery
cardiothoracic Surgery
neurosurgery
plastic/Reconstructive Surgery
trauma/emergency surgery
remote site anaesthesia - radiology, ECT/endoscopy
indications for surgery and risk factors
surgical approaches and duration of surgery
position of clients for surgery
common anaesthetic and surgical complications
risk of anaesthetic technique for surgical procedure
specialty medications required perioperatively
expected blood loss for different types of surgery
events during surgery that could affect anaesthesia, including:
massive blood loss
client repositioning
cross clamping and unclamping of aorta and other major blood vessels
orthopaedic bone cement syndrome
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome
application/release of tourniquet
tourniquet time
abdominal carbon dioxide insufflation
co-existing diseases and their perioperative medical management
age of the client and associated risks
types of anaesthetic techniques and preference card systems
intraoperative procedures, including:
nasogastric tube placement and suctioning
endotracheal tube suctioning
tracheostomy toileting
rapid infusion, blood transfusion & massive transfusion protocol
fluid balance-urine, gastric, blood loss & infusion
invasive/non-invasive clinical measurements
airway exchange
pain management techniques
invasive/non-invasive clinical measurement planning options
airway management planning options
ancillary equipment choices
pressure and nerve care
normal range of motion for client
thermal management
prevention of thromboembolism
patient emotional and physiological responses to surgery
procedures for transfer of anaesthetised patient to intensive care or radiology and equipment used
communication techniques within multidisciplinary team in operating theatre environment
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including those required by procedures nominated in the Performance Evidence
modelling of industry operating conditions, including presence of situations requiring problem solving in non-routine situations
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |