Anaesthetist

Description

Anaesthetists provide direct medical care to patients requiring general or local anaesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and other procedures such as prevention of pain and maintenance of body function. Anaesthetic Registrars training as Anaesthetists are included in this unit group.

Tasks include

• performing pre-operative examinations of patients to determine appropriate anaesthetic and sedation in concurrence with Specialist Physicians and Surgeons
• discussing the anaesthetic process with patients and obtaining their informed consent prior to surgery
• administering local, regional and general anaesthetics using a variety of methods such as inhalational and intravenous administration
• supervising the transfer of patients to operating theatres, positioning on operating tables, keeping patients warm, and responding quickly and accurately if any problems arise
• monitoring patients throughout surgical procedures and in immediate post-operative procedures
• recording details of anaesthetic and sedation administered, and the condition of patients before, during and after anaesthesia
• liaising with other health care workers to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic pain, and to diagnose and treat patients requiring intensive care or resuscitation
• may instruct medical, nursing, student and ancillary staff on the signs, symptoms and diagnosis of allergic and anaphylactic reactions to anaesthetic agents, and supervision and treatment of life-threatening emergencies