Respiratory Therapist II

Grow your skills, increase your earning potential, and prepare for a new career as an Anesthesia Assistant! The Anesthesia Assistant (AA) Education Program prepares Registered Respiratory Therapists to be an integral part of the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model of care. This is a hybrid position consisting of both scheduled Anesthesia Respiratory Therapy II Clinical Shifts and Self-Directed Learning days. Over the 12 months, you will expected to complete the didactic portion of the AHS AA program, followed by full-time clinical rotations to meet the programs’ objectives and hours. Travel between multiple sites within the Calgary Zone will be required. Those accepted into this education program will be required to sign a 1-year return for service agreement, which will begin upon completion of the AHS Anesthesia Assistant Education Program, obtaining the CCAA designation from CSRT, and transitioning into the Regular Anesthesia Assistant role. As an Anesthesia Assistant, you will support an Anesthesiologist in delivering anesthetics, medical gases, medications, etc. to patients undergoing medical procedures. You will assemble, operate, and monitor anesthetic gas machines or mechanical ventilation, use invasive and non-invasive monitoring techniques, and evaluate the patient’s response to interventions during procedures or transport. You will learn to recognize early signs of a critical event and clearly communicate this information with the Anesthesiologist, surgeon, and surgical team to initiate corrective action.

As a Respiratory Therapist II, you will coordinate, monitor and assess clinical services in your assigned area. You will act as a clinical resource for daily operations, coordinating the work of therapy assessment and treatment in your service area, and assist in the development of clinical protocols. You will develop and implement respiratory therapy care plans and monitor the progress of patients (clients, residents) receiving advanced respiratory treatment. You will identify new equipment requirements, and establish and maintain adequate levels of supplies and materials for your area. You will be responsible for respiratory equipment, including but not limited to operation, procurement, maintenance, and quality assurance. You will participate in interprofessional patient, client or resident rounds, conferences and meetings where applicable.

Active or eligible registration with the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CARTA).

Applicants will be transferred to an Anesthesia Assistant position upon completion of the education program and successfully obtaining their CCAA designation. Graduated from an accredited Respiratory Therapy program. Holds current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support-Healthcare Provider (BCLS-HCP). The candidate must have current Operating Room experience with completed competencies in intubation, arterial line insertion and autologous transfusion. Two years of recent experience in Anesthesia.

As Required.