Anesthetist Technician at Tenwek Hospital

Job Summary:

• The Anesthetist Technician’s job is to assist the anesthesia health care provider in the provision/delivery of smooth, safe, and quality anesthesia peri-operatively.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Stocking and organizing: supply carts, anesthesia machines, cardiac pump machine area, room equipment n (arm boards, ether screen, IV poles x1 (x2 cardiac room).
• Keeping special cardiac equipment (Blood warmers, TEE probes, syringe pumps / Baby warmers etc.…)

Involvement in Cases:
Case set up:

• Before the anesthetist arrives, set up EKG cable, BP cuff, SAT probe, temp probe, IV fluid (spike, with tubing and 1 extension set), pressure bag (when applicable) with 2 pressure transducers, suction with tubing and yankeur.
• Check anesthesia machine: circuit, ambu bag, CO2 line, O2 reserve tank, soda lime check, refill vaporizers.

During the case:

• Assist with positioning of patient and attaching monitors.
• Induction: Assist anesthetist with induction of anesthesia (holding cricoid pressure, tucking arms, etc.)
• Maintenance: Check with assigned anesthetist at least every 30minutes are as case ends.
• Emergence: Be available to help with emergence as case demands. Case ending.

End of Case: 

• Help transfer patient to stretcher and deliver patient to PACU (attaching monitors to patient, hanging fluid up.)
• Go back and set up next case once vital signs (Bp, O2, EKG) show up.

In between cases (Turn-over):

• Change circuits, face masks. Bp cuff soiled, EKG stickers etc.
• Clean anesthesia machine with alcohol.
• Clean Bp cuff, EKG and SAT cable, Temp cable with alcohol.
• Clean bougie / stylet with alcohol solution.
• Clean laryncospe blade with cidezyme solution.
• Hang new IV with tubing and extension.
• Restock anesthesia machine, supply cart, and anesthesia-related room items.
• Replacing the suction canister, yankuer, and tubing.

Follow operating guidelines

• At all times, you are to follow the direction of the anesthetist in the room(s) to which you are assigned.
• At no time are you to perform any procedure on the patient without direct supervision of the responsible anesthetist (IV access, medication administration etc.)

Abide by Moral code of Tenwek Hospital and practices according to the medical ethics and laws of Kenya. These include but not limited to:

• Respect is shown to all human beings and care given without discrimination.
• Chain of command is followed appropriately.
• All assignments given by senior staff are willingly undertaken.
• Arrive to work on time.
• Attends all department meetings as scheduled unless excused by the supervisor.
• Patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Promotes teamwork and cooperates with other co-workers in the department and the hospital at large.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED FROM:

• Primary Supervisor: Cardiac anesthesiologist
• Secondary supervisor: Director of Cardiothoracic Surgical Services or his/her designate (Primary Supervisor)

SUPERVISION GIVEN TO:

• Junior anesthesia assistants, housekeeping staff working around anesthesia equipment

QUALIFICATIONS                                                     

• Committed Christian                                              
• Certificate of completion as a trained anesthesia technician from accredited institution
• KCSE certificate MINIMUM GRADE C-(MINUS) AND ABOVE
• On-the-job trained as anesthesia assistant
• Certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Computer literacy
• Minimum experience of at least 1 year from a busy institution

Other Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Organizational skills
• Observational skills
• Analytical skills
• Compassion
• Supervisory skills
• Ability to work under pressure