Assistants to the Anaesthetists

Anaesthesia Assistants/Anaesthesia Technicians

In all operating rooms or other areas where an anaesthetic is given, either as a regional anaesthetic such as an epidural or an arm block, or a general anaesthetic or sedation, the NZSA strongly supports the presence of a trained anaesthesia technician.

An anaesthetic technician undergoes a 2-3 year (depending on an individual’s entry qualifications) hospital-based training course with distance learning from AUT University which provides the academic component of this diploma  or graduate certificate course.

Anaesthetic technicians work in the operating room with the anaesthetist and their  role is in the preparation and maintenance of  equipment for an anaesthetic and in assistance to the anaesthetist in providing the safe conduct of an anaesthetic.

More information is available from the New Zealand Anaesthesia Technicians Society