Anaesthetic Technician
(Anaesthesia Paramedical Officer, Anaesthetic Nurse)
Fact Sheet
Anaesthetic technicians prepare and maintain anaesthetic equipment for operating theatres and clinics, and assist anaesthetists during anaesthetic procedures.
Duties and Tasks
Anaesthetic technicians may perform the following tasks:
- set up, check and maintain anaesthetic workstations, life support machines and associated equipment
- order and prepare medical supplies for anaesthesia
- talk to patients about medical procedures and check whether they have any medical conditions that could cause problems under anaesthesia
- assist the anaesthetist to insert breathing tubes and intravascular lines in patients
- assist the anaesthetist to administer anaesthesia to patients
- watch patients and monitor their vital signs before, during and after procedures
- assist the anaesthetist in emergencies
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspects of CHEMISTRY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a chemistry-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs providing health care diagnosis and treatment, such as general medicine, pharmacy, optometry, radiography, speech therapy, dental health, etc. Also covered are community and welfare services, such as social work, family and children services, and counselling, and personal services such as hairdressing and funeral services.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Personal Requirements
- good communication and people skills
- attention to detail
- able to work under pressure
- good technical, measuring and computer skills
- organised and methodical
- good general health and fitness