TAS Workforce

Operating Theatre Workforce Innovation

The Technical and Scientific Workforce Strategy Group in their 2006-07 work programme identified the operating theatres workforces as a priority workforce. This was in response to predicted anaesthetist technician, nursing and anaesthetist workforce shortages. An option to bridge this shortage could be to identify new ways of operating theatre team work and role design within the operating theatre environment.

A survey was developed and sent to 10 representative DHBs from tertiary, secondary and rural locations and two Auckland based private operating theatre service providers.

Respondents generally agreed that nurses and Anaesthetic Technicians are capable of undertaking cross-over roles to enhance theatre flows. There was strong support for a multi-skilled, flexible OT worker able to work across the continuum. This was driven by the desire to have full use of worker competencies, as service need requires and supported by a career pathway.

For further information see the 2007 Operating Theatre Workforce Innovation Project Report.

The Operating Theatre Workforce Innovation Project is undertaking an initial scoping exercise reviewing the ideal skill mixes and skill sets for an operating theatre workforce.