Do you want to be part of a clinical team in a fast-paced environment?
This practical, hands-on course will help you gain the knowledge and skills required to work in a fast-paced, clinical environment.
You will be exposed to a variety of surgical procedures, emergencies and critical care environments. Anaesthetic technicians are typically employed in anaesthetic departments, operating theatres, emergency departments, intensive care and day surgeries.
As an anaesthetic technician you will work in consultation with, and under the direction of an anaesthetists, during the induction, maintenance and emergence phases of anaesthesia. Preparing and maintaining anaesthetic equipment, you will play a critical role in supporting quality health care and safe anaesthetic services within a multidisciplinary team.
By the end of this course, you'll have gained the skills needed to:
• Prepare, order and maintain anaesthetic equipment and supplies
• Assist anaesthetists during anaesthetic procedures
• Operate equipment used in monitoring patients during anaesthesia
• Assist with airway management
• Monitor patients and be prepared for unexpected events, allergic reactions and anaesthetic emergencies
• Decontaminate, sterilise and dispose of equipment and materials
• Access and prepare medications and monitor response
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures and implement work health and safety policies and procedures
• Communicate and document information
In order to make an informed choice about the suitability of this course for you, you must take into account the essential skills and knowledge required in addition to the critical aspects of assessment of this qualification.
Personal attributes include:
• Able to work under pressure in stressful situations
• Good technical, analytical and measurement skills
• Organised and methodical
• Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
• Attention to detail
• Good communication and people skills
To help you decide if this course is right for you, please review the relevant Informed Choices details
This course will be FREE from 1 January 2023. The course fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government.
Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training, and other fees may apply for some courses. Please see the FAQs on our Free in '23 page for further information.
If this course is deemed competitive, you will be informed during your application via TAFE Admissions and additional entrance requirements will apply.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of WACE General or ATAR (Minimum C Grades) or equivalent | Completion of WACE General or ATAR or equivalent (minimum C Grades) | Certificate III |
Prior to enrolment you will need to undertake a pre-entry assessment, to ensure you have an appropriate numeracy and literacy background.
A BKSB exit level score of 3 (working at level 4) in language, literacy and numeracy is required.
A Basic Key Skills Builder and English Testing Support Skill Set is available if you think you need help preparing for the BKSB literacy and numeracy assessment.
You'll be able to access your personal timetable (find out how on our Timetables page), once you have paid your fees. In the meantime the information below provides an indication of the time commitment required to complete this course, depending on available study options.
Combined (Online and On campus) full-time delivery
The course is run over 3 x 20 week semesters/stages (18 months)
Stage 1: 9:00am - 4:00pm on three to four days per week
Stage 2 & 3: 9:00am - 4:00pm on three days per week
You'll complete the course through
- face to face classes
- self-paced online learning
- facilitated practical work placement
Timetable information is indicative only and subject to change.
Anaesthetic technicians play a critical role in supporting the anaesthetist. The role requires a wide range of complex skills and extensive knowledge to perform safely and effectively in the workplace.
To achieve this qualification approximately 400 hours of work related to anaesthetic technology in a clinical workplace environment relevant to the assessment requirements of the units of competency must be undertaken. This work placement will be organised by North Metropolitan TAFE.
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers. NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to conduct their own research about the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
For more details about requirements for work placement, please see the Important Information tab.
Study outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research will be required to successfully complete your course.
If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Additional costs
As a student you will also have additional costs associated with your study, for example text books and stationery, printing and other materials.
Please note in addition to standard course requirements listed above, costs associated with this specific course include uniform and clearances prior to work placement and employment.
The amounts listed below are approximate, charged by external organisations and departments and subject to change.
- Uniform, scrub top and pants ($70) and closed waterproof nonslip shoes ($80)
- Working with Children Check (WWC) ($11)
- National Police Certificate – through WA Police website ($57.60)
- First Aid Certificate and CPR ($70)
- WA Health Department Criminal History Record Check (no cost if applied for post Police Certificate)
You may require immunisations and/or have to provide evidence of vaccinations against:
- Chicken Pox (Varicella) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DPT), Hepatitis B Influenza (Annual), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, COVID-19 (costs will vary depending on your doctor and vaccinations required)
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) if required ($37)
- TB test results (up to $100),
- May need to complete a health check ($200)
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers. NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to conduct their own research about the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
This list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Please note You can visit one of our four Jobs and Skills Centres located at NMT's Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth campuses for free career planning advice and job search support.
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred option below to get started with your application.
Semester 1, 2023
Mount Lawley - Combined (Online and On Campus)
| Duration | 3 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Mount Lawley | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
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*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis in 2023. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Get help
This form is only for course enquiries. If you would like to apply, please refer to the Study options and next steps section above.