The Anaesthetic Technician Scope of Practice (SOP) and Competence Standards (CS) are important for RACS as the practice of ATs impacts on operating times and surgical waitlists, thus on patient outcomes.
RACS welcomed the proposed wider scope of practice to include a greater focus on the perioperative process. However, the revised scope also implied anaesthetic technicians are practitioners working independently of anaesthetists. The scope needs to confirm the role of an anaesthetic technician as an assistant to the anaesthetist.
RACS also welcomed the proposed change from a prescriptive model using rules to a principle-based model providing a framework to enable success, which is in line with progression in adult education with achievement and development of competencies.
RACS commended the inclusion of the paragraph Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the emphasis within the document on cultural safety, competence and awareness. We suggested a reorganisation of the proposed competency standards to put a clearer focus on cultural safety and patient advocacy.
RACS supported the submission from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists / Faculty of Pain Medicine.
Read the submission (PDF 225.54KB).