Consultation - anaesthetic technician supervision requirements

24 Jul, 2024

We’re consulting and invite anaesthetic technician practitioners and stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed changes to the supervision policy by completing an online survey.

View the proposed policy and consultation document at the bottom of the page. The current supervision policy can be viewed here.

Why now?

In 2023 the Council conducted a review of the scope of practice and other related documents for anaesthetic technicians. In April 2024 the project was paused. Documents relating to the scope of practice and competence standards will be consulted on in August 2024.

The 2023 consultation identified a need to update the supervision requirements for practitioners who are new or returning to practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Your feedback

We invite you to provide feedback on the proposed supervision policy by completing an online survey. This consultation will close at 5pm on 14 August 2024.

The Council will consider all feedback received before making any changes to the current policy.

We’ll then be in touch about the outcome and next steps.

If you have any queries, please view the FAQs below – you can also get in touch by emailing mscconsultations@medsci.co.nz or phoning 04 801 6250.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are supervision requirements?

Supervision is a formal process of professional support and teaching to enable the practitioner to build on their knowledge, skills, and professional attributes, and to progressively assume responsibility for their own practice.  

Q: Who does supervision apply to?

The proposed supervision requirements (within the policy) would apply to all practitioners who are new to Anaesthetic Technician (AT) practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes new graduates, as well as those beginning practice with an international qualification, and registered to begin practice here.

The requirements will also apply to those who have not practiced in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than three years and wishing to return to practice. A detailed list of who the requirement applies to is available in section four of the current proposed policy.

Q: What are the proposed changes?

The proposed changes generally relate to:

• A standard supervision requirement for those new to or returning to practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Removal of the trainee anaesthetic technician supervision requirements, as this pathway has been superseded by the Bachelor of Perioperative Practice.
• Removal of the levels for supervision.
• A requirement for a minimum number of supervision hours.
• A change in the way the supervision requirement is applied.
• Inclusion of information about potential outcomes if the supervision requirements are not met.

Q: Does this consultation include a review of the Anaesthetic Technician scope of practice?

The scope of practice will be consulted on separately in August, along with the competence standards.

Q: Why do the supervision requirements need changing?

The Policy has been in place since 2019 and changes in the profession have occurred since then.

Q: Who will provide the supervision?

The supervisor must be a New Zealand registered anaesthetic technician with a current practising certificate, in good standing, and have no conditions on their own scope of practice. Supervisors cannot take part in the ‘Supervision into practice in Aotearoa New Zealand’ recertification programme.

Supervisors must have sufficient experience of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand to be able to act in the role of supervisor. 

Q: What does this mean for me?

There has been no change to the policy yet. The proposed changes would affect those who are new or returning to the profession and those who provide supervision.

There is no change for practitioners with a current requirement for supervision as a condition on their practice.

Q: Why are you consulting with us/practitioners?

It’s important to get your feedback, to ensure the supervision requirements are fit for purpose and reflect current practice.

Q: What happens after the consultation ends?

Council will consider the feedback received and make a decision about changes. We’ll update you at that time.