Job responsibilities
PLEASE SEE FULL DESCRIPTION ATTACHED
We are looking to expand our team of Anaesthesia Associates
(AAs), and are looking to recruit 2 individuals to undertake the MSc in Anaesthesia
and Perioperative Science based at the West Suffolk NHS Trust, Bury St Edmunds,
resulting in being eligible to practice as an Anaesthesia Associate.
Students will be expected to undertake a 24-month University
course at postgraduate level to be provided by the University College London.
The course, alongside clinical practice within the Anaesthetic
Department at the West Suffolk Hospital, will enable you to develop the
necessary academic and professional qualities to undertake the role of
Anaesthesia Associate (AA). The course will be delivered by a combination of
innovative e-learning methods and clinical placements with one-to-one tuition
in the hospital setting. Some travel may be required. Each student will be
assigned an educational supervisor and mentor to guide them in their journey
through this programme.
The position will be based at the West Suffolk Hospital,
Bury St Edmunds, with an average of 40 hours a week. The West Suffolk Hospital
has an excellent reputation for training and an established AA training
programme. Training will be split across e-lectures, tutorials, and skills
training, with approximately 50% delivered through supervised training in the
clinical environment.
The successful candidate must meet essential academic
requirements, be enthusiastic, motivated and keen to learn, as well as
understand the challenges of working in an advanced and developing role in the
NHS. Strong communication and interpersonal skills will be essential, as will
valuing the input of others - both clinicians and theatre team colleagues.
The student position offered is 2 years in duration after
which you will be able to apply for the position of Anaesthetic Associate
within the department.
SCOPE OF
PRACTICE
Student Anaesthesia Associates will be expected to adhere to all
requirements of the University and Trust. During training the student AA will
be supported and trained in the delivery of anaesthetic services including the:
Ability to deliver a comprehensive range of
complex specialist anaesthetic services to the highest standard of quality and
patient care under supervision of a Consultant Anaesthetist
Development of specialist skills, knowledge
and experience
Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
in providing anaesthetic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of
all ages
Participation in teaching, audit, quality
improvement and research as required
Taking responsibility for Continuing
Professional Development, mandatory training to meet university and Trust
requirements and health and safety issues
MAIN
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Student AAs will assume an increasing range of responsibilities
during the course of their training as their competency and skill base
increases and will include the following. This list is not exclusive:
To work as a member of the anaesthetic team
To work competently under appropriate
supervision
Pre-operative assessment of patients,
including collection and evaluation of patient information and obtaining
consent for anaesthesia
Preparation of environment for anaesthesia
Implementation of anaesthetic care plan under
appropriate supervision
Insertion of peripheral cannula
Induction and reversal of anaesthesia
Conduct spinal anaesthesia
Conduct insertion of arterial line
Conduct insertion of central venous
catheterisation
Conduction ultrasound guided regional
techniques
Maintenance of anaesthesia
Positioning of patients
Administration of medicine
Administration of fluids
Postoperative assessment
Documentation of care
Furthermore, on completion of this programme the Student AA must:
Be able to elicit the relevant history from
the patient which identifies potential problems, before, during and after
anaesthesia and to communicate this information to all members of the team.
Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of
relevant anaesthetic pharmacology and be able to articulate in theory and
practice, the physiological action of these drugs and their interactions with
prescribed drugs that patients may be taking.
Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the normal
physiological changes which occur in the body before, during and after
anaesthesia and be able to use the information to assess the wellbeing of
patients before, during and post anaesthesia.
Be able to use their knowledge of physiology
and pathology to identify and report the needs of patients who may be an
anaesthetic risk due to a pre-existing medical condition.
Demonstrate a clear working knowledge of the
applied anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular system and the
spinal cord and brain in order to induce anaesthesia and undertake emergency
resuscitative procedures.
Demonstrate a clear working knowledge of the
physics relevant to anaesthesia and to use that knowledge to monitor and
measure patients wellbeing during and after anaesthesia.
Have the skills to reflect on their practice
and to use the outcomes of that reflection for personal development and
development, innovation and change in practice.
Have developed the ability to support the
learning of colleagues entering practice
CORE
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
Communication
Communicates with a wide range of healthcare
professionals on matters, some of which may be very sensitive and complicated,
in a manner and form that is appropriate.
Keeps accurate and complete records consistent
with legislation, policy and procedures.
Personal
and people development
Takes a personal responsibility to develop
professionally and personally to enable services to meet the needs of patients,
staff and the public.
Maintains competence through proactive
engagement in professional development.
Demonstrates high levels of personal conduct.
Acts with honesty and integrity at all times
and is a positive ambassador for the Trust.
Understands and takes consideration of
customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and colleagues.
Values and respects patients, colleagues and
members of the public.
Demonstrates commitment to working within a
team.
Health,
safety and security
Responsible for promoting the safety and
security of patients, the public, colleagues and themselves.
Uses and maintains resources effectively and
efficiently.
Takes appropriate action when there are issues
with health, safety and security.
Adheres to all Trust policies relating to
health, safety and security.
Undertakes appropriate action relating to
incident reporting, review of incidents and action plan relating to prevention
of similar incidents.
Ensures that the care environment meets agreed
standards of cleanliness, taking personal action to remedy any problems.
Complies with Trust policy on patient
confidentiality and the data protection act.
Clinical
Governance
To provide clinical services in line with the
Trusts clinical governance arrangements which are designed to ensure that
agreed quality standards are achieved.
To participate in audit of clinical practice
within the department to ensure that current standards and evidence-based
practice are applied.
To assist in the development of protocols and
patient group directives within the Anaesthetic team.
Works within limits of own competence and
responsibility and refers issues beyond these limits to relevant person.
Operates in a and complies with the AA
curriculum framework.
Acts consistently with legislation, policy,
procedures and other quality approaches and encourages others to do so.
Demonstrates clinical leadership in practice.
Adheres to Board policies and relevant codes
of practice.
Equality
and diversity
Upholds the Trusts commitment to equality and
diversity facilitating public and patient information.
Participates in the development of a culture
that promotes equality and values diversity.
Continuing
medical education
All doctors are required to maintain and
develop their clinical skills.
Individual training and development needs will be identified through
regular appraisals, considering Royal College requirements. You will be assigned a consultant
anaesthetist who will act as your Clinical Supervisor and who will be
responsible for supporting you through this process.
Full utilisation of study leave is encouraged.
Risk
Management
To work within the Trusts clinical risk
management policies and in particular to participate as appropriate in critical
incident reporting.
