Anesthesia Overview
Anesthesia/Operation theatre technology is one such course of paramedics that is most demanding in modern times. In this course, students get to learn about the functioning of Intensive care units (ICUs) which include neonatal intensive care units, medical intensive care units, pediatric intensive care, and emergency departments. This course comprises deep learning of anesthesia, surgical equipment and procedures, operation theatre ethics, and patient monitoring. An operation theatre technician is responsible for sterilization of operation theatres, preparing doses of anesthesia, administering pre and post-operative procedures along with supervision of patients throughout the procedure. In many terms, they are also referred to as surgical scrubs, operation theatre technicians, or operation theatre assistants. There is an excellent scope of job opportunities in this field. The deserving and experience candidate can get handsome salary in this field after successfully completing the course.
Role of Anesthesia in Surgery
Anesthesia is a procedure of medicament which is performed for relieving pain and numbness in a particular body part during medical surgery. Clinical practitioners use various types of anesthetics based on patient body requirements and type of procedure. These pain-relieving drugs can be mild or strong and anesthetic technicians should validate these drugs in favor of lowering risks to patients in pre-operative and post-operative surgery. Anesthesiologists prepare anesthesia doses particularly according to patients’ medical history, lab reports, and current medical ailment.
Know everything about Operation theatre
An operation theatre or an operating room is a special amenity of a hospital where all the procedures and surgeries are carried out in a sterile and aseptic environment. Components of operation theatre consist of suction machines, hydraulic OT table, surgical OT lights, ventilator machines, surgical microscope, defibrillators, IV accessories, anesthesia monitors, etc. An OT technician must be aware of all the medical equipments of an operation theatre and handle these proficiently.
Core subjects of anesthesia and operation technology
- Basic anatomy/physiology
- Anesthesia and operative drugs
- General Pathology
- General microbiology
- Applied physics and chemistry
- General medicine
- Fundaments of operation theatre
- Anesthesia techniques
- Surgical techniques
- Nursing care
- Emergency management
- ICU management
Role of OT technician
- Managing patient for pre-operative session
- Taking care of all the vital functions during a surgery
- Uphold the responsibility of patient monitoring
- Keep a check on the availability of medicines in OT
- Administers transportation of a patient from operation theatre to the ward and vice versa
- Handling post-anesthesia care unit
- Supervise all surgical equipments and its function throughout the surgery
- Positioning the surgical patient
- Execute post-operative pain control methods
- Undertake the charge of delivering right sedatives and drugs
- Possess knowledge of the application of pneumatic tourniquets
- Should be proficient in handling operating room diagnostic procedures such as pathological examination and radiological examination
- Sterilizing all medical equipments
- Adjusting OT lights
- Assisting doctors or surgeons during an operation
Career Prospects of Anesthesia and OT Technology
Since Anesthesia/Operation theatre technology is a course that teaches the onset of any surgery, it has a broad spectrum of working departments in a hospital or healthcare institution. After pursuing this course, one might get designated as
Working Departments
Anesthesia and operation technology provides a wide range of exploring healthcare departments which inculcates continuous learning of patient management. Generally, technicians are posted in various ICU wards of government/private hospitals, cancer units, gynecology wards, pediatric units, etc., but their field is not limited to this extent. Apart from hospitals, technicians can also work in private clinics, health centers, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, emergency centers, clinical laboratories, physician’s corporate hospitals, etc.
Eligibility and Course Duration
There are varied options available to pursue a career in operation theatre technology. One might opt for diploma courses or degree courses. Here are the given details of available courses in anesthesia and operation theatre technology:
- Diploma Course: Duration of a diploma course is mainly comprised of 2 years where students get to learn the basics of operation theatre techniques and handling equipments. Various colleges provide diploma programs namely as diploma in operation theatre technology (DOTT), diploma in anesthesia, diploma in the operation theatre, and diploma anesthesia technology.
Eligibility: To pursue a diploma in operation theatre technology, one must have passed 10+2 senior secondary level examination in the science stream (physics, chemistry, biology).
- Undergraduate Course: This is a bachelor’s degree undergraduate program that has a course duration of 4 years. This program can be recognized by following names
- B.Sc. in operation theatre technology
- B.Sc. in operation and anesthesia technology
- B.Sc. in anesthesia technology
Eligibility: To be eligible to pursue graduation in operation theatre techniques, candidates must have passed 12th with physics/chemistry/biology as their mainstream subjects.
- Postgraduate Course: This is a master’s level program that takes 2 to 3 years of completion. There are various options to opt for master’s program such as,
- Masters in anesthesiology
- MSc. In operation theatre and anesthesia technology
- MSc. In surgical care practice
- Masters in surgical technology
Eligibility: One can pursue a master’s program with a relevant graduate degree in operation theatre techniques. MBBS degree holders are also eligible to pursue master’s in operation/anesthesia technology.
- Doctoral Course: after completion of masters in operation or anesthesia technology, one can opt for a Ph.D. program for further continuation of studies. Ph.D. programs generally take a minimum of 3 years to a maximum of 7 years based on the research study. There are quite a few Ph.D. programs regarding anesthesia technology, namely
- Ph.D. in operation management
- Ph.D. in anesthesia and operation theatre techniques
- Ph.D. in anesthesiology
Eligibility: Ph.D. can be pursued after completion of master’s in anesthesiology/operation theatre techniques or other relevant programs.
Salary package in Anesthesia
This course is surfeit in every aspect as this provides handsome salary package afterward. Initially, OT technicians acquire an estimated sum of $10,000- $21,000 per annum. Gradually, it can increase up to $30,000 per annum. However, the salary of technicians varies from anesthesiologists as anesthesiologists are doctors who have done specialization in anesthetics. The average estimated salary of anesthesiologists in India may reach up to $45,000 per annum. Although, there is a better opportunity in foreign countries for OT technicians as salary packages are slightly more as compared to India. If one has the desire to contribute their time in an operating room and assist surgeons, then they must opt for this course.
Best Colleges of Operation Theatre Technology in India
- AIIMS, New Delhi
- Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Armed Forces College, Pune
- NIMS Institute of Paramedical Technology, Jaipur
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
- St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Sri Jayadev Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru
- IIMT University, Meerut
Top 9 colleges of USA for Operation Theatre Technology
- John Hopkins university, Maryland
- Harvard university, Massachusetts
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
- Columbia university, New York
- Stanford university, California
- Washington university, St. Louis
- Baylor college of medicine, Texas
- Mayo Clinic School of medicine, Florida
