Anesthesia Support - Surgical Services

Job Description

The Anesthesia Support works exclusively within the surgical program and is responsible for providing specialized respiratory care, anesthesia support, technical expertise, and intraoperative care within the respiratory therapy scope of practice. The Anesthesia Support collaborates closely with anesthetists, surgeons, perioperative nurses, and other clinical team members to ensure the safe delivery of anesthesia-related services before, during, and after surgical procedures.

This role focuses on clinical duties such as pre-operative anesthesia preparation, ventilation and airway support, intraoperative monitoring, emergency response and postoperative transition; and technical duties such as equipment maintenance and support, quality assurance and supply chain and procurement responsibilities. It excludes duties specific to Anesthesia Assistants (AAs) such as administering anesthetic agents, conscious sedation or performing anesthetic induction/maintenance tasks that are done independently under a medical directive.

Accountabilities:

Pre-operative Preparation

• Prepare, set up, and verify the function of all respiratory and anesthesia related OR equipment (anesthetic gas machines, suction, physiological monitors, point of care testing devices, ultrasound machines, cell-saver, etc.)
• Ensure stocking of block room supplies and anesthesia support carts (OR anesthetic carts, malignant hyperthermia carts, difficult airways carts)
• Ensure availability and readiness of related consumables (filters, circuits, airway adjuncts)
• Perform intravenous line insertion and arterial line insertions, as required
• Perform blood draws, as required
• Assist with regional and neuraxial anesthesia

Ventilation & Airway Support

• Set-up anesthetic gas machines and related equipment in preparation for surgical procedures
• Provide manual ventilation if needed (e.g., during equipment changeovers, transfers, emergencies)
• Apply basic and advanced airway adjuncts as required
• Support specialized ventilation strategies per hospital policy

Intraoperative Monitoring & Technical Support

• Under direct supervision of the Anesthetist, assist with intra-operative anesthetic care including ventilation, arterial line set-up, insertion and monitoring, airway management and hemodynamic monitoring
• When required, respond to equipment alarms, troubleshoot issues, and ensure safe operation
• Assist with patient positioning as it relates to the provision of anesthetic and surgical care

Emergency Response

• Participate in OR emergency responses, including Code Blue, difficult airway events, hemodynamic and metabolic emergencies, and equipment failure scenarios
• Provide manual ventilation, oxygenation support, and respiratory monitoring during crises
• Assist the anesthesia team in managing sudden ventilation problems or respiratory deterioration

Post-Operative Transition

• Provide clear verbal and written handoff information to receiving care teams

Equipment & Technical Support

• Maintain, clean, and troubleshoot respiratory-related equipment used in surgery
• Conduct preventative checks and timely reporting of malfunctioning devices
• Include participation in anesthesia equipment/cart standardization with AA Service Leads

Equipment Management & Quality Assurance

• Conduct daily checks, calibration, and preventive maintenance inspections of OR anesthesia equipment and point of care testing devices
• Identify malfunctioning devices and remove them from service according to hospital procedures
• Collaborate with Biomedical Engineering and vendors for equipment troubleshooting or upgrades
• Ensure compliance with CSA standards, safety guidelines, and hospital protocols for medical gases and anesthesia equipment
• Assist with trials and implementation of new equipment in coordination with the AA Service Leads, Biomed, vendors, and clinical teams
• Participate in medical recalls (collecting recalled equipment and assist with providing alternatives)

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Work with AA Service Leads to conduct value analyses for new equipment and supplies
• Identify product alternatives due to backorders or discontinuations
• Work with AA Service Leads to plan and coordinate new equipment procurement
• Oversee ordering of non-JIT anesthesia consumables and maintain appropriate inventory levels
• Collaborate with AA Service Leads to assist with product sourcing and trials

Documentation & Communication

• Document all respiratory assessments, patient care and equipment checks
• Communicate effectively with anesthetists, surgeons, OR nurses, and allied health colleagues
• Provide education or support to OR staff on respiratory equipment and procedures
• Ship/receive and stock supplies as needed

Professional & Departmental Responsibilities

• Participate in quality improvement projects related to anesthesia and surgery
• Contribute to policy development and updates regarding respiratory therapy practice in perioperative settings
• Maintain continuing education and competency in advanced ventilation, emergency response, and OR-specific respiratory care

Qualifications

• 3-years Community College Diploma in Respiratory Therapy required
• Current ACLS certification required
• Member in good standing with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario along with Professional Liability Insurance required
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant clinical experience working as an RRT; experience in the perioperative environment would be an asset
• Advanced knowledge of anesthesia equipment, and monitoring standards preferred
• Expertise in troubleshooting anesthesia equipment and implementing new technologies preferred
• Certified Hemacue superuser with experience coordinating with Point of Care Lab preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Must demonstrate Osler's Values of Respect, Excellence, Service, Compassion, Innovation and Collaboration
• Excellent work performance and attendance record
• Travel between and work at all Osler sites as operationally require

Additional Information

Hours: Currently Days/Evenings, eight (8) hour shifts and on-call including weekends and statutory holidays (subject to change in accordance with operational requirements)

Salary:
Minimum: $41.98 per hour
Maximum: $54.52 per hour

Internal application deadline: May 26, 2026

External application deadline: June 10, 2026

#FT

#LI-WD1

#SJ1

Osler values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at human.resources@williamoslerhs.ca.

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.