Jun 06, 2009, 09:08 pm
Last edited Jun 06, 2009, 09:08 pm
update #3
Hi,
Actually you are asking quite a tricky question, I gather you have no healthcare experience.
The initial training for a theatre tech (Cert III) does not require workplace experience, but Cert IV level does, unfortunately workplace's are more likely to hire you with a Cert IV, but traineeships are available.
Nurses have access to postregistration training in anaesthetics or perioperative nursing, which improves their employability in that area.
It all depends on what type of role you wish to play in an OR. Theatre techs job description includes transportation of patients via trolley, transfer of patient onto the OR table, and positioning of the patient once they are anaethetised. So you are responsible for ensuring all the equipment needed for positioning is in theatre and knowing how to use it. These are quite physical tasks, patients can weigh quite a bit and when they are asleep they are "dead weight" so this might be something you need to consider. Theatre techs are also responsible for the movement and setting up of technical equipment in the OR, this equipment is expensive and some of it is fairly high tech, so you should feel comfortable dealing with high tech equipment and trouble shooting. In some OR's theatre techs also assist the anaesthetist, this depends on the OR policy.
Nurses can have a more varied role in the OR. They are able to train to be more involved in the actual procedures, ie "scrub" "scout" and assist the anaesthetist (do "anaesthetics). Nurses are also involved in positioning the patient or preparing and connecting equipment and troubleshooting, but the tech is expected to do the bulk of this work.
The huge advantage nursing has is that it offers more job opportunity within the healthcare industry than the theatre tech, but that may not be something that concerns you.
I am not sure of the exact difference in pay rates, but I think a nurse is paid more than a theatre tech. This may be something you need to consider.
I am not sure which state you are in, however Mayfield offers a cert III and cert IV for theatre techs via distance education as well as on campus and nursing on campus. Both courses for theatre techs and nursing are also offered via traineeships.
You could contact Mayfield to get more information on each course www.mayfield.edu.au and to get more of an idea of where each course could lead you.
