AOTP Inc. - Association of Operating Theatre Practitioners Inc.

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• Qualifications (minimum requirements in WA)
• Registration/Regulation
• Salary
• Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
• Annual Leave
• Major Public Hospitals in Western Australia
• Training Curriculum

Qualifications
The recognised minimum qualifications here in Western Australia are:

• Royal Perth Hospital, Hospital Based Diploma. Western Australia.

• Associate Diploma of Health - Anaesthetic and Operating Theatre Technician. Western Australia.

• Certificate IV - Medical Technicians  -  Anaesthetics. Western Australia.

• Associate Diploma of Health - Anaesthetic and Operating Theatre Technician. Victoria.

• Queensland University of Technology, Hospital Based Diploma - Anaesthetics. Queensland.

• Australian Society of Anaesthetic and Operating Theatre Technicians - Certificate. New South Wales.

• Operating Theatre Technicians Certificate. Australian Defence Forces. For Ordinary Membership to the Society the applicant must provide proof of three years full time experience post graduation.

• The British ODA and CODP qualification.

• NZ Diploma Course, Degree soon to be available. There are also other qualifications which may be accepted providing a certain level of expertise in core areas has been obtained. This applies to some nurses with anaesthetic experience and armed forces personnel. You would need to apply to the hospital you are seeking to work at with an expression of interest and addressed to the senior technician/manager in charge. Copies of your qualifications should be made and only provided if requested as a formal interview would be necessary should a vacancy be available. Alternatively you can approach ASAPO and request a comparison of your qualifications for employment purposes.

There are usually no difficulties getting employment at the major public hospitals in Perth as vacancies come up at fairly regular intervals.

Registration/Regulation
At the present moment there is no compulsory National or State registration, this is being addressed and will be mandatory in the near future. However, in order to work in Western Australia you must hold a recognised qualification before any Public or Private hospital would consider you for a position.

Currently the major public teaching hospitals are paying qualified technicians on the HSU Level 4 scale AUS$58,760 - $63,007.

Please request details of salary range prior to interview. Evening shift rates and weekend penalty rates also apply. Some of the major hospitals also have competency progression for qualified technicians which enables them to progress to the HSU Level 5  AUS$64,318 - $69,876.

Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
The state government reviews the salary scales every 24 to 36 months depending on the EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement) current at the time and this is adjusted for inflation.

This is usually between 3% to 4.5% increase per annum. Penalty rates for shift and weekends would be substantial and additional to the above figures.

Annual Leave
In the Public Hospitals the award provides for four weeks annual leave with an additional 10 public holidays per year. Long Service Leave is also provided and amounts to a total of 13 weeks additional leave after 10 years service, and then another 13 weeks every seven years thereafter.

The Major Public Hospitals in Western Australia are:

In addition to the public hospitals, Perth has a number of large private hospitals which also employ Anaesthesia Technicians. Some Private hospitals may require that the applicants have a nursing background.

Training Curriculum

Anaesthesia Technician (WA) minimum qualification requirement

D071 - Certificate IV in Anaesthesia Technology . This course replaces 6685 - Certificate IV in Anaesthetic Technology (51321)

This course is nationally recognised (HLT42607)

Study Plan: 14 units; 11 core and 3 elective

Course Study Plan Description: D071 - Certificate IV in Anaesthetic Technology

This certificate is the minimum required qualification  for all Anaesthetic Technicians in WA. It replaces the older Associate Diploma of Health AOTT. (Anaesthetic and Operating Theatre Technician)

The two year Course is run through the Central Institute of Technology Perth Western Australia. (Mt Lawley Campus).

The first year involves two initial components Health Science and Anatomy & Physiology

The second year involves:

• 27 two hour evening lectures conducted by Anaesthetists from the Royal Perth Hospital. The topics covered deal with all aspects of training from drugs to the technology used on a daily basis.

• Completion of a St John's Senior First Aid Certificate.

• Completion of Train the Trainer Education.

• Effective Professional Practice Competencies.

• 14 weeks unpaid practical training in a selection of Perth Hospitals.

• Occupational Health & Safety lectures and assessments.

The fourteen weeks full time training is in Perth's major teaching hospitals for students who meet the required level. This is unpaid, and allows the students a hands-on opportunity to work alongside qualified technicians in all areas that they may be required to work in.

A log book of skills and competencies is required to be completed during this rotation.

On completion of the training components an examination involving a written exam is conducted at the end of the training period.

For additional up to date information, please visit the Royal Perth Hospital Web site   http://www.rph.wa.gov.au/anaesth/tech.html    

or

Email  florence.miller@central.wa.edu.au

Please check the Royal Perth hospital site as we take no responsibility for incorrect information provided.