Anaesthetic Technician Career Pathway
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Anaesthetic Technician Career Pathway AUT Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern Scholarship
Anaesthetic Technicians at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern are an integral part of perioperative departments. They make a valued contribution towards the safe delivery of anaesthesia and the perioperative patient experience. We are invested in growing our multidisciplinary teams with people that have the same values and high level of patient care, teamwork, and culture as we do.
About the Scholarship
The recently established Anaesthetic Technician Career Pathway AUT Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern Scholarship assist Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Perioperative Practice students in their final 2 years of study with the following:
- Contribution to tuition cost through the scholarship - Up to 6 scholarships per annum to a total value of $4,000 each. The scholarship is paid as a contribution to fees as follows: $2,000 in the second year of study; and $2,000 in the third year of study.
- A possibility of employment in the operating theatre environment during semester breaks
- Career development - Guaranteed employment with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Southern for at least a year after your graduation to repay this contribution to your tuition cost. This is called the ‘Bond Period’.
- Great learning environment - Develop your skillset in a modern, diverse, and friendly perioperative environment from a close-knit team and learning from a wide range of surgical specialties.
This Scholarship was established in 2022 to assist with tuition cost, and to establish an employment relationship following graduation.
As a Registered Anaesthetic Technician, you can join our close-knit team in our busy Anaesthesia Departments at the Dunedin and Southland Hospitals. We provide 24/7 services in the operating theatres and other departments within the Dunedin and Invercargill Hospitals, so plenty of time to learn in real time.
There is also now a voluntary bonding scheme for Anaesthetic Technicians, that can assist in payment of student loans if you agree to bond to Southern for a set number of years once qualify.
What to do next
- Show an interest in becoming an AT. Connect with our AT teams to learn more via ewan.morrell@southerndhb.govt.nz.
- Enrol in a Degree in Perioperative Practice (BHSC). To become a qualified Anaesthetic Technician, you must complete a Degree in Perioperative Practice (BHSC), however this course can be completed majorly via distance-based learning and contains periods of practical placements. You can find out more about the Degree in Perioperative Practice (BHSC):
- Complete your Anaesthetic Technician Career Pathway AUT Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern Scholarship application (see below). To complete your application, please ensure you address the following questions in your cover letter, giving brief answers:
1. What qualities will you bring to our perioperative/anaesthetic team?
2. What strategies would you use to ensure your success, given this opportunity?
3. Please indicate your preference of location as one of the following:
- Dunedin Hospital
- Southland Hospital
- Either Dunedin or Southland
(Note you must pick only one of the above, your preference will not be a final deciding factor in being called to interview).
You can learn more about the scholarship and how to apply in the drop-down box below.
Contact Ewan Morrell, Charge Anaesthetic Technician: ewan.morrell@southerndhb.govt.nz if you have any questions.
Scholarship Information
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be:
- A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Enrolled full-time or have applied for enrolment in the AUT Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice.
- Prepared to enter into a bond agreement with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern to complete a minimum one year of fulltime employment (under separate employment contract) as an Anaesthetic Technician commencing within 3 months of graduation.
AUT is responsible for the selection of students into the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice programme. Any scholarship award would be subject to the student applying, meeting the selection criteria, and successfully entering their programme of study.
Additional Criteria
- Preference given to applicants from Southern Districts.
- Preference given to Māori and Pacific applicants.
- Preference given for meritorious academic performance.
- Applicants must be prepared to undertake clinical placement and enter into an agreement for a one-year bonded period under a separate employment contract with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern.
Application Requirements
The information you provide will be used by the selection panel to assess your suitability. You should ensure that all requested information is provided in full and is entirely accurate.
Applicants will be required to include:
- Proof of residency status.
- A copy of their offer of place or acknowledgement of application for enrolment in the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice.
- A brief CV (no more than two pages).
- Academic transcripts for any study not completed at AUT (secondary school or tertiary)
- Personal statement (maximum one page) as to
- Your educational background, including any noteworthy achievements.
- Your educational plans and interests.
- Work and community involvement.
- How this scholarship would assist you and why you are a good candidate.
- The candidate’s intention to contribute to health practice in the Southern region.
- Any other information that may be of relevance to the Selection Panel.
Referees
- Applicants will nominate one academic leader and one professional leader as referees in the application portal.
- Applicants are advised to discuss with their referee that they will receive an email requesting their support, which reference will seek specific comment on the applicant’s academic or professional merit, initiative to improve professional skills or community interests and general character.
Selection Process
- Applicants must display a sound interest and enthusiasm to commence a career as an Anaesthetic Technician. This will be demonstrated by their professionalism, academic achievement, recommendations from academic and professional leaders and information supplied on their application form.
- Selected students shall participate in a face-to-face interview with a member of the Anaesthetic Technician leadership team before a decision is made to award the Scholarship.
- Award of the Scholarship is conditional based on the completion of the Anaesthetic Technician Scholarship Agreement and acceptance from AUT.
- The Scholarship shall be awarded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern and in consideration of the advice received from programme, academic and professional leaders.
- If the Selection Panel is of opinion that there is no applicant of sufficient merit, the scholarship will not be awarded.
- The decision of the Selection Panel is final.
Conditions of acceptance and appointment
- The offer of the Scholarship and the employment bond agreement must be accepted by the date specified in the offer letter. If the recipient does not return the signed agreement documents by the specified date, the offer will lapse and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern may offer the Scholarship to another student.
- The Bond Period will commence no later than three months following completion of the qualification.
- The award of this scholarship is conditional on the recipient enrolling full-time in the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice at AUT.
- The recipient will maintain an enrolment of no less than 120pts per academic year during their study at AUT.
- The Scholarship will be paid as a tuition fees credit in two instalments: one in the first semester of year 2 and one in the first semester of year 3.
- The scholarship may be held concurrently with any other scholarship or award, provided this is not considered by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to constitute a conflict of interest.
- Except in cases where there are compelling medical reasons or adverse personal circumstances beyond a student’s control, the uptake of the scholarship cannot be deferred.
- The recipient must be enrolled continuously in their programme of study during the tenure of award. Suspension requests must be made in writing to the University Scholarships Office and will be approved only for compelling medical or personal circumstances.
- In accepting the Scholarship, the recipient will be deemed to have read, understood, and accepted the conditions of the Scholarship.
- By accepting the Scholarship, the recipient agrees to participate in any publicity concerning the scholarship arranged by AUT and/or Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern.
- AUT Foundation in consultation with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern may terminate this scholarship and require repayment of any funds disbursed if during the tenure of the scholarship a recipient is not in compliance with the conditions of the scholarship or has not maintained satisfactory academic standing (by passing all courses) or brings the University or Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern into disrepute.
- AUT Foundation reports to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern on unspent Scholarship Funds. AUT Foundation and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern may from time to time vary these regulations.
Please forward applications to Ewan Morrell, Charge Anaesthetic Technician: ewan.morrell@southerndhb.govt.nz