Other Opportunities: Anesthesia Assistant (Permanent, Full-Time)

VALUES AND COMMITMENT

At Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), our core values of Integrity, Quality, Respect, Compassion and Teamwork are at the centre of who we are and what we do. We remain committed to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects Northumberland Hills Hospital’s dedication to recognising everyone’s contributions and respecting everyone’s dignity, unique experience, and potential.

EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Northumberland Hills Hospital remains respectful of all protected rights, in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we welcome applications from all qualified applicants and interests from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We strive to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants if needed. For any hiring related accommodation needs and/or requests please email us via careers@nhh.ca.

LOCATION

Located approximately 100 kilometres east of Toronto, NHH is a vibrant community hospital delivering a broad range of acute, post-acute, outpatient and diagnostic services. Directly serving a growing population of more than 60,000 residents spread across a mix of urban and rural settings, NHH directly employs approximately 750 people and relies on the additional support provided by a highly engaged and supportive network of physicians, midwives and volunteers.

ROLE OVERVIEW

As a member of the multidisciplinary team, the Anesthesia Assistant (AA) will provide technical and clinical care to surgical patients during general, regional, or local anesthesia. This role is an expanded role of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and requires completion of an accredited Anesthesia Assistant Program.  Reporting to the Patient Care Manager of Surgical Services and under supervision and immediate availability of an Anesthetist, you will provide quality services in accordance with the scope of practice of an AA, as defined by their own professional standards and by the scope of the supervising anesthesiologist.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide assistance with the 3 stages of anesthesia, induction, maintenance, and emergence periods, and any other additional operational needs within the program.
• Assist in caring for patients in the pre-operative phase of care including verifying and checking patient in, assessments, insertions of lines and tubes, and positioning.
• Preparing and setting up equipment for procedures as required.
• Ensuring calibration, system checks, integrity, and clinical readiness of anesthesia machines and systems.
• Ensuring equipment is kept in good working order and working with biomed for repair or service when required.
• Assisting with patient induction, including administering prescribed anesthetic agents under the direction of the anesthetist, assessing the patient for effectiveness of treatment and physiologic status during anesthesia.
• Assisting with airway management via manual ventilation, and/or insertion of oro-nasopharyngeal airway, LMA or endotracheal tube, or using BiPAP, CPAPS, and other airway equipment.
• Under direction administering pharmaceutical agents by way of bolus, syringe pump, regulated pumped infusion, or vaporization.
• Handling of specialized equipment.
• Handling and discarding of biohazardous materials in keeping with hospital policy.
• Completing documentation of anesthesia related events.
• Assist with transport and patient care in Post-Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and transfer of patient to ICU.
• Drawing blood samples when required.
• Providing mechanical ventilation outside of the OR.
• Assist with procedural sedation.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate from accredited Respiratory Therapy Program required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as Respiratory Therapist in Critical Care or Operating Room required.
• Registered and in good standing with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario.
• Completed Anesthesia Assistant Program Certificate required.
• Required certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renewed every 2 years.
• Knowledge of Anesthesiology, basic hemodynamic principles, and Anesthesia equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with the Surgical team to meet the patient’s needs.
• Effective communication skills and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Engages in ethical conduct and strives to understand and appreciate the diversity of our patient/ staff population and community.
• Participates in review of clinical opportunities/ equipment/ supplies and co-designs recommendations, implementation, and evaluation of recommended changes in line with NHH’s Strategic Plan.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Contributes to Department by performing related tasks as required.
• Able to work in an active, rapidly changing stressful environment with multiple demands
• Ability to make decisions and prioritize effectively; must have sufficient physical endurance including manual dexterity to handle patients and equipment effectively and safely.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants are required provide a satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal reference check, that was complete less than one year from the date of hire. This requirement must be met within the first sixty (60) days of employment.

Additionally, to the above, successful applicants are also required to complete the Health Care Worker Health review process which includes providing an up-to-date immunization record to ensure compliance with the Ontario Hospital Association Communicable Diseases Surveillance Protocols within the first thirty (30) days of employment. Northumberland Hills Hospital operates a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all staff.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Northumberland Hills Hospital may choose to conduct parts/all the hiring process virtually. Furthermore, we are a scent-free environment.  When attending the hospital kindly refrain from wearing strongly scented fragrances. While we thank all those that express interest in this exciting position; kindly note that due to high volumes of interests, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.