Trainee Anaesthesia Associate

This is an exciting opportunity to join the RBH Anaesthetic Service while undertaking an MSc in Anaesthesia and Perioperative Science, studied over 24 months, with an additional three months probationary period served in clinical practice to conclude training.

You will also have the opportunity to learn from a well-established group of consultants and help to deliver this service across multiple specialities.

The post holder will work as part of the anaesthetic team to provide anaesthesia for elective and emergency patients. Using general anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia and/or regional anaesthesia as appropriate, and individualise treatment to patients’ circumstances and preferences.
- Have duties that include provision of anaesthesia, preoperative assessment, postoperative visits, administration, teaching and audit.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in multidisciplinary teams to provide high-quality care to patients.
- Participate actively and enthusiastically in the clinical governance activities of the department.
- Record all absence from the Trust using department and Trust processes, provide this record at annual job plan review.
- Comply with all department and Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, and work in line with national standards.
- Take personal responsibility for completing all mandatory and statutory training.
- Complete annual appraisal, and work to achieve objectives set at annual appraisal.
- Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times

An exciting opportunity has arisen for us to appoint and train two Anaesthesia Associate Trainees within the RBH Anaesthetic Department.

The training is due to commence 1stMarch 2023 (exact details to be confirmed)

This is a two-year training program run in association with UCL. The training will cover all components of the UK Royal College of Anaesthetists' curriculum and includes aspects of professionalism, life sciences and practical skills. Students will complete a systematic review, learning the fundamentals of data synthesis, analysis and reporting in an area of clinical practice which interests them.

This programme is for healthcare professionals with three years' experience who wish to expand their knowledge and skills to take on more responsibility for perioperative patients. It will also benefit biomedical or life science graduates who are interested in embarking on a rewarding and engaging career in healthcare. More information about the UCL training can be accessed here:
The hands-on clinical aspect of the course, mentoring and teaching sessions will be delivered at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

**Clinical Responsibilities**:
The role of Anaesthesia Associate is evolving. The Royal College of Anaesthetists and Association of Anaesthetists have guidelines for what a newly qualified Anaesthesia Associate may do. However individual Trusts may train AA's in additional roles and competences.

In our department the expectation is that Anaesthesia Associates will be trained and signed off to:

- Assess the patient's fitness for surgery on the day of surgery and obtain informed consent for anaesthesia, and discuss the anaesthetic plan with the Supervising Consultant.
- Induce anaesthesia in ASA1&2 patients independently and without direct supervision, after discussion with the supervising consultant and if signed off as competent.
- Provide intraoperative care, keeping the patient stable during the physiological insult of surgery
- Supervise emergence and extubation without direct supervision (after discussion with the supervising consultant and if signed off as competent)
- Transfer the patient to recovery or PACU to hand over care to the nurses and communicate the post-operative care plan.
- Perform regional anaesthesia techniques (e.g. axillary block, femoral nerve block, popliteal block) in awake and anaesthetised patients.
- Perform spinal and epidural anaesthesia without direct supervision (after discussion with the supervising consultant and if signed off as competent)
- Insert arterial and central venous catheters under ultrasound guidance.
- Insert nerve catheters in patients needing advanced analgesia (e.g., painful chest wall injuries)
- Provide safe sedation for potentially unpleasant procedures where GA is not appropriate or desirable.