ANAESTHETICS SKILLS CHECKLIST

SKILL
Understanding of the principles & techniques for ensuring patient safety when
preparing & presenting drugs for administration by others during clinical
emergencies.
Knowledge & understanding of basic information relating to the usage, dosage,
incompatibilities, complications and contra-indications of drugs used during
emergency situations.
Knowledge of the current guidelines for basic life support (including those of the
resuscitation council).

YES

NO

Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of the principles & techniques used for
dealing with:

Respiratory arrest
Cardiac arrest
Hypovolaemic shock
Hyperpyrexia
Anaphylactic shock
Inhalation of stomach contents
Hypoxia
Airway obstruction
Hypothermia
SKILL

Ability to recognise the signs & symptoms of the clinical emergencies mentioned
above.
Understanding of the factors that affect the choice of equipment for different
patient groups.

YES

NO

Knowledge of the purpose & function of the following types of equipment:

Oxygen therapy
Suction
Airway management
Capnograph
Intravenous access
ECG
Defribrillator
Blood pressure monitors
Pulse oximetry
Temperature monitoring
Blood gas analyser

Understand & demonstrate the application of universal precautions to clinical

emergencies, and the potential consequences of poor practice.

SKILL
Knowledge & understanding of the current legislation and policy associated with:

Health & Safety and infection control

Procedures for dealing with different clinical emergencies
Drug handling & preparation
Performing basic life support

YES

NO

Ability to identify, prepare equipment and materials for intravenous fluid

administration, including a knowledge of:

Types & quantities of fluids used

Fluid requirements of the paediatric patient
Giving sets used
Potential risks

The ability to prepare & assist in airway management including:

Type of breathing circuit used & the rationale for its use
Types & sizes of endotracheal tube and other artificial airways used
Types of laryngoscope blades used for paediatric patients
Special considerations
Complications associated with airway management of the paediatric
patient.

Knowledge and understanding of the differences in the childs physiological

parameters.

SKILL

YES

NO

Knowledge of the differences in paediatric A&P and how this affects the choices
for:
Cannulation
Airway management
Intravenous fluid administration
Drug therapy
Temperature
Ability to choose & prepare equipment & materials for cannulation, including:

Assisting the anaesthetist in the procedure

Patient care
Complications

The methods of assembling and priming of infusion equipment, while

maintaining sterility.
Knowledge of the complications & hazards that may arise during the
preparation of infusion solutions, and how these risks can be minimised.
Knowledge of relevant anatomy & physiology (including circulation, genitourinary system and fluid & electrolyte balance).
Demonstrate knowledge of the protocols (algorhythms) followed for failed
intubation.

SKILL

YES
NO

Demonstrate & understand the criteria for extubation of the patient (including
signs that the patient exhibits before they can be extubated).

Assisting the anaesthetist during extubation.

Understand and possess working knowledge of the modes of ventilation.

Knowledge and understanding of the potential complications that can occur

during intubation.

Knowledge of the recognised signs & symptoms of a compromised airway, and

the techniques that can be employed to relieve such symptoms.

Knowledge and understanding of the ASA grading system, and knowledge of the
scoring systems used to access the airway.

SKILL
Knowledge of potential complications relating to establishing and airway for
different groups (adults), including:

Apnoea
Coughing & hiccupping
Laryngospasm
Bronchospasm
Hypo/hyperventilation

Knowledge and understanding of how anatomical abnormalities & disease of

the upper and lower respiratory tract can affect airway management.
Knowledge of the signs that would indicate correct placement of the
Endotracheal tube.

YES

NO

Knowledge of adjuncts to airway management, and an understanding of what

each is used for:

Catheter mounts & HMEs

Face masks
Bougies
Sylets
McGills forceps
Laryngoscopes
Laryngoscope blades used for adult patients
SKILL

Understand technique & reasons for:

Oral intubation
Nasal intubation
Endobronchial intubation
Cricothyroidectomy
Tracheostomy
Nasogastric tubes

Ability to prepare for & assist in each technique.

Understand factors that affect the choice of airway management

YES

NO

Knowledge of the different types of artificial airways used, including:

Bag & Mask
Guedel airways
Nasopharyngeal airways
Laryngeal mask airway
Endrotracheal tubes
Endobronchial tubes
Nasal tubes
Tracheostomy tubes
Understanding of the criteria for the use of each of the artificial airways
mentioned above.

Understanding of the anatomy & physiology of the respiratory system.

SKILL
Knowledge of the different types of breathing circuit used for adult patients.

Knowledge of the blood products available for transfusion, including what each
is for and the correct preparation of the product for transfusion.

YES

NO

Knowledge of the hazards & complications that can arise during administration
of blood to patients, and the relevant actions to take (in line with organisational
policy).

Understand the rationale for the transfusion of blood & blood products.

Ability to assist in spinal & epidural procedures, including:

Knowledge of the relevant A&P

Knowledge of the spinal & epidural techniques
Equipment & materials used for each
Methods of positioning the patient to optimise access for the anaesthetist
Methods of securing the site
Complications & effects related to each technique
SKILL

YES

NO

Ability to assist in invasive procedures (arterial cannulation & CVP lines)

including:

Relevant A&P
Preparation of materials & equipment
Knowledge of the various types arterial cannula & CVP lines available for
use
Knowledge of the technique for each
Arterial & CVP giving sets & fluids used
Transducers
Normal parameters (CVP monitoring)
Hazards associated with each technique

Understand the rationale, reasons and requirements for the following

anaesthetic techniques:

Venepuncture
Arterial cannulation
Central venous pressure monitoring
Spinals, epidurals & regional blocks
Blood & blood product transfusion

Ability to assist in Venepuncture, including:

Knowledge of relevant anatomy & physiology

Preparation on relevant materials
Knowledge of the different types & sizes of cannula that may be used
Technique
Securing the cannula
Hazards associated with the procedure

SKILL

YES
NO

Understand the rationale for properly documenting information relating to

monitoring the patients parameters, and the relevant place to record theses
details.
Knowledge of the SI unit system of measurement.

Knowledge of the following methods of monitoring:

Oxygen saturation
Pulse rate
Non-invasive blood pressure
Invasive blood pressure
Electrocardiogram
Central venous monitoring
Capnograph
Gas/vapour analysers
Neuromuscular function
Urinary output
Temperature

Knowledge of the parameters you would normally expect to see in the adult
patient for monitoring methods mentioned above.

Knowledge of inhalation agents used in anaesthesia, including:

The volatile agents used

MAC values
Function, effects and adverse effects associated with each agent.
SKILL

Understand the different groups of drugs used in anaesthesia, including their

type, properties, function, effects and contraindications for:

Induction agents
Muscle relaxants
Analgesics
Local anaesthetic agents
Anti-emetics
Pre-medications
Antibiotics
Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Anti-coagulants
Reversal agents

YES

NO

Knowledge of the different drug administration routes that may be used and the
relevant functional anatomy & physiology for each including:

Intravenous
Intramuscular
Oral
Sub-cutaneous
Rectal
Inhalation
Topical

Identify potential risks of poor positioning (including compromised circulation and

cross-infection).

SKILL
Knowledge of the regional (location of peripheral nerves) and functional (skin,
soft tissue, nerve, muscles
& joints) anatomy.

YES

NO

Checking of the anaesthetic machine, according to recommendations by the

Association of Anaesthetists. Including:

Pipeline gas lines

Vaporisers
Ventilators
Suction equipment
Flow meters
Oxygen analyser
Failure alarms
Scavenging
Breathing circuits

Knowledge of rationale for use of the various pieces of anaesthetic equipment

mentioned above.

Understanding of the diverse and specific requirements that some patients have
(including physical, emotional,
psychological, communication, personal/religious beliefs).
Understanding of the levels of responsibility in relation to responding to patients
questions.
SKILL
Understanding of the principles of advocacy, and effective ways of representing
and safeguarding the patients interests.

YES

NO

Knowledge and understanding of environmental factors, such as temperature &

humidity, and the importance of their maintenance.

PLEASE NOTE:
It is essential that you complete the Skills Checklist with complete accuracy. Do NOT claim competency where you have little practical knowledge or even none at all. Your
performance when working in the UK will be checked against the information you have provided herein. In the event you are not competent in areas where you have stated
competency, it may be viewed that you have obtained employment by submitting false information. This could result in immediate termination of employment, cancellation of your visa,
and repatriation to your country of origin.
I confirm that I have read and understood this Statement and declare that the information I have provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed: ________________________________________________________________
Full Name: _____________________________________

Date: _______________________