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Anaesthetics – Enhanced Anaesthetic Care (hybrid)

This is the second module for those nurses wishing to practice anaesthetics assistance in the perioperative environment, or an opportunity for Operating Department Practitioners wishing to refresh their knowledge and skills. Building on the first module (Fundamentals of Anaesthetic Care PCPH3018) students are exposed to more complex principles. Nurses completing these two modules should gain sufficient knowledge and skills to practice as part of the anaesthetic team in their clinical areas. As multi skilled practitioners, students have the opportunity to improve patient services in line with contemporary healthcare strategies.

Academic and clinical requirements

Students will need to continue to pass clinical competencies during placement and academic assessment to underpin their understanding of applied theory from PCPH3017. As with PCPH3017 placements will cover specialties within their base hospitals and are required to include vascular/major surgery, emergency/trauma, obstetric theatres and shared airway if not achieved in semester 1.

This module will consider areas that require a more specialist consideration including, anaesthesia external to the perioperative environment, bariatric care, paediatrics, obstetrics, laparoscopic/ robotic, ENT/ shared airway, emergencies, deteriorating patient, associated considerations such as hypovolaemia and difficult airway, malignant hyperpyrexia, drug calculations and the impact of sustainability.

Academia will be supported through online teaching, on-campus workshops/ simulation opportunities and self-directed learning. This allows students flexibility in their learning whilst still having the opportunity to network as a cohort and engage with university facilities and support offerings.

Learning outcomes

• Evaluate theory in relation to practice placements and appropriate anaesthetic patient care.
• Critically explore patient risks associated with anaesthesia.
• Demonstrate safe, competent clinical practice and successful achievement of the outcomes set out in Practice Assessment Document and Non-Technical Skills Assessment.
• Critically review the essential components of law, ethics and professional issues in relation to the anaesthetic assistant role.
• Critically evaluate the influence of local and national anaesthetic guidelines and discuss their impact on clinical practice.
• Utilising evidence-based practice critically explore the assessment, investigations and therapeutic interventions patients may receive prior to anaesthesia.

Assessment

• 2hr exam
• Practice Assessment Document (PAD)
• Completion of associated competencies across both modules

Students must be successful in both modules to be awarded a PgCert and be deemed competent to practice.

Students require a Clinical Practice Mentor, who must hold a recognised anaesthetic qualification, AA or RODP.

Entry criteria

• Effective registration with the NMC / HCPC or other relevant professional body
• Undertaken successful level 4/5 academic study and completed PCPH3017 if requiring the full award.
• Current employment in practice and have the support of their manager in undertaking the module

• Minimum 12 months post-registration experience within a perioperative practice setting.
• Agreed perioperative placement opportunities with practice sponsor that meet competencies required (Core Competency Framework for Anaesthetic Assistants, NHS Education for Scotland)
• Have undertaken Fundamentals of Anaesthesia (PCPH3017) if wishing to obtain the full PgCert and recognition to practice

How to apply

Online application forms and guidance for application process