Anaesthetic Technician

Pay

Pay for anaesthetic technicians varies depending on experience, hours of work, and employer. 

• Anaesthetic technicians usually earn $84,000 to $99,000 a year.
• Anaesthetic technicians can earn $73,000 to $105,000 a year.

Those working in private hospitals usually earn more when they start out. 

Source: TEC research.

 PAYE.net.nz website - use this calculator to convert pay and salary information

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

What you will do

Anaesthetic technicians may do some or all of the following:

• check and set up life support and anaesthetic machines
• inform and reassure patients, and check for conditions that could create problems under anaesthesia
  
• help anaesthetists place patients' breathing tubes and intravenous lines
• help anaesthetists administer anaesthetics, including local anaesthetics and nerve blocks
• watch patients and monitor their vital signs (such as heartbeat)
• decontaminate, sterilise or dispose of equipment and materials used in operations
• assist with care after operations and insert catheters into patients.

Skills and knowledge

Anaesthetic technicians need to have knowledge of:

• operating theatre procedures and protocols
• anaesthetic and nerve-blocking machines, life support machines, other equipment and drugs
• emergency procedures, and how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• human anatomy, physiology and biophysics
• physical and medical conditions that may put patients at risk during anaesthesia.

Working conditions

Anaesthetic technicians:

• usually do shift work, including weekends, and may be on call
• work in operating rooms in hospitals and clinics, delivery suites and emergency departments
• work in conditions that may be stressful, particularly during operations.