Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH), in collaboration with Mohawk College, has developed a new, Accelerated Anaesthesia Assistant training program in an effort to address the shortage of qualified Anaesthesia Assistants in hospitals across the region.
The program functions as an upskilling opportunity for employed Respiratory Therapists and Registered Nurses and can be completed in as little as 28 weeks. The program includes online classes, two in-person skill weekends, and a 14-week clinical practicum.
The first in-person training took place at Queensway Carleton Hospital. Fifteen trainees attended the special SIMS (Simulation in Medical Sciences) event, three of whom are destined to become part of the QCH healthcare team.
The two-day event utilized QCH's state-of-the-art, medical simulation mannequin. The lifelike prop is equipped to replicate real-life patient responses and symptoms. From realistic vital signs to the ability to mimic various medical conditions, the mannequin offers an immersive and dynamic learning experience.
"The mannequin serves as a bridge between classroom learning and practical application," says Yvonne Wilson, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Executive at QCH. “This training allows students to practice real-world scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, ultimately advancing healthcare education and improving patient care."
When the program concludes on April 4, 2024, trainees will receive stacked micro-credentials and will be eligible to sit for the board exam.
“This fast-track program is an innovative way to get scarce healthcare resources to the bedside faster," says Wilson. “It's an investment into the future of healthcare for the entire region."
About Queensway Carleton Hospital
Located in fast-growing west Ottawa, Queensway Carleton Hospital has built its reputation as a leading acute care hospital by seeing the person in each of the nearly 500,000 people who turn to it for care each year. QCH's agility and collaborative culture enable it to respond quickly to the most pressing healthcare challenges facing its vibrant and growing communities through advanced programs that reinvent models of patient care. QCH has been named the #1 hospital in Ottawa by Newsweek magazine in 2021 and as a top employer in Canada by Forbes magazine.
About Mohawk College
Mohawk College educates and serves more than 32,500 full-time, part-time, apprenticeship and international students at four main campuses in Hamilton, Ontario and learning hubs across Hamilton through City School by Mohawk, as well as at the Mohawk College Mississauga Campus in partnership with triOS College. Mohawk is committed to upholding an equitable, diverse and inclusive learning, working and engaging environment for students, employees and the community. The college is among the top colleges for applied research in Canada. It has been named one of Hamilton-Niagara's top employers and one of Canada's greenest employers, and holds a GOLD STARS rating from AASHE for sustainability achievements. More than 165,000 people have graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.