An Anaesthetic Technician is part of the Allied Health workforce who performs a patient care role predominantly assisting with the administration and monitoring of anaesthesia. They have an extensive knowledge of anaesthesia techniques, instruments, supplies and technology.
Involved with all aspects of the delivery of a patient's perioperative anaesthetic care, they also play a key role in the emergency resuscitation of patients.
You will find Anaesthetic Technicians in operating theatre suites but can be found in other areas of clinical practice, including emergency departments, intensive care units (ICU) and day surgery clinics.
Anaesthetic Technicians are also known as:
Anaesthetic Technicians have a 10-step progression salary scale.
Designated Anaesthetic Technicians, such as team leader and professional advisor, have a 10-step progression salary scale.
Overtime rates apply for call-backs.
In New Zealand, salary and benefits for some roles are set through collective agreements between unions and employers. The full Anaesthetic Technicians collective agreement is available on the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website.
Employment agreements — Health NZexternal link
There are 2 existing expanded Scopes of Practice for Anaesthetic Technicians.
Anaesthetic Technicians may practice in these areas on the completion of an accredited training pathway and the approval of the Medical Sciences Council.
New Zealand Anaesthetic Technicians' Societyexternal link
You must hold an approved qualification in anaesthetic technology. Common pathways include:
All Anaesthetic Technicians must be registered with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand to practice legally.
Applicants need to submit proof of their qualifications, personal identification, and evidence of fitness to practice.
To practice as an Anaesthetic Technician, you must hold a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC), which is renewed annually.
To maintain the APC, you must:
Internationally qualified candidates include practitioners who hold a United Kingdom-issued qualification in Anaesthetic Technology and:
Applicants with less than 2 years' experience can still apply and be assessed by the Council, which may include a Work-Based Assessment in practice.
All other overseas qualifications are assessed on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not the holder of that qualification meets the registration requirements of the Council. Qualifications will be assessed against a standard set of criteria approved by the Council. Learn more about how to register.
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) seeking roles may apply for registration and practice within the boundaries of an Anaesthetic Technician.
We have pages dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in New Zealand and key details about moving here.
Visas and settling in New Zealand
There are pathways for those from Australia, the UK and Singapore for Registered Nurses (RNs) to relocate to New Zealand and work as an Anaesthetic Assistant.
There are pathways for those from Australia, the UK and Singapore for Registered Nurses (RNs) to relocate to New Zealand and work as an Anaesthetic Assistant.
There are qualification and training requirements for each pathway to ensure that overseas RNs meet New Zealand's standards for safe anaesthetic care, either through direct entry or additional training.
All overseas Registered Nurses should have at least 12 months of recent experience in anaesthetic assistance.
Over 50% of Anaesthetic Assistants in Australia are Registered or Enrolled Nurses, and all courses require experience in specialty areas of peri anaesthesia (anaesthetics and post-anesthetic care units) to obtain the qualification, meaning the skills are transferrable to practice in New Zealand.
Australian RNs with a postgraduate qualification in peri-anaesthesia nursing, for example from universities like the University of Technology Sydney or Monash University, are generally well-qualified for the Anaesthetic Assistant role in New Zealand.
Australian RNs with anaesthetic experience but no postgraduate qualification must complete hospital training if you do not meet recent practice requirements.
Depending on when you gained your qualification, there are different requirements for the training needed to practise in New Zealand.
Registered Nurses trained after 2002 may have pursued post-registration education — you must have competencies equivalent to the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) curriculum, which is transferrable to Anaesthetic Technicians in New Zealand.
Registered Nurses who obtained the English National Board (ENB 182) certification before 2002 are likely to have comparable skills to New Zealand's standards.
The training of specialty-trained Anesthesia Registered Nurses in Singapore aligns well with the requirements for practicing in New Zealand.
Training is typically a minimum of 6 months guided by a workbook, competency assessments and sign-off by experienced preceptors. Training is enhanced through regular in-service education delivered by Anaesthetists and representatives of specialty anaesthesia equipment suppliers. The job description is equivalent to that of New Zealand Registered Anaesthetic Technicians.
Hear from 2 of our Anaesthetic Technicians about what they love about their job, and the learning opportunities they have working for Health New Zealand.
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
