Senior Registrar Anaesthetist

Job Objective

• The Senior Registrar Anaesthetist will be responsible for providing anaesthestic services for surgical and diagnostic procedures, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care.
• The role holder will support the anaesthesia specialists, guide junior doctors and adhere to clinical governance and best practices.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities
Emergency Care and Response:

• Rapidly evaluate patients to determine severity of condition to prioritize care, allocate resources, and ensure timely interventions.
• Perform life-saving procedures (CPR, intubation) to stabilize critically ill patients and prevent further deterioration.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests (labs, imaging to quickly identify underlying conditions and guide treatment.
• Manage shock, trauma, or medical emergencies to restore vital functions, prevent organ failure, and optimize patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with emergency teams, provide clear handover to ensure seamless transitions, prevent errors, and maintain continuity of care.
• Guide junior team members in interpreting lab results, imaging, and other diagnostic tools

Pre-operative Assessment and Optimization:

• Conduct thorough pre-anaesthetic assessments for elective and emergency surgical patients.
• Evaluate patient history, comorbidities, and medications to determine anaesthetic risks.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize high-risk patients before surgery.
• Obtain informed consent and explain anaesthetic plans to patients and families.
• Order and interpret necessary laboratory and diagnostic investigations pre-operatively.
• Document pre-operative findings and planned anaesthesia techniques accurately.

Anaesthetic Administration and Intraoperative Care:

• Deliver anaesthesia using general, regional, or local techniques, based on patient needs and surgical requirements.
• Monitor vital signs and manage anaesthetic depth, fluid balance, and haemodynamics during procedures.
• Anticipate and manage complications such as difficult airway, anaphylaxis, or malignant hyperthermia.
• Ensure adherence to aseptic techniques, safety protocols, and WHO surgical checklists.
• Supervise and assist junior residents and anaesthesia technicians during surgeries.
• Maintain detailed intraoperative anaesthetic records using the hospital’s electronic health system.

Post-anaesthetic Care and Recovery Room Management:

• Oversee patient transfer to the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and ensure stable handover.
• Monitor patients during recovery from anaesthesia, manage pain and address side effects.
• Identify and manage post-operative complications such as respiratory depression or nausea.
• Liaise with surgical teams regarding post-operative care and disposition planning.
• Ensure effective communication with nursing staff and PACU personnel.
• Document all post-operative events and treatment provided in the patient’s medical records.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety:

• Adhere to and promote compliance with international patient safety standards.
• Participate in clinical audits, quality assurance initiatives, and incident reviews.
• Identify trends in anaesthetic outcomes and contribute to risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and clinical pathways.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Report adverse events and near misses promptly through the hospital’s incident reporting system.

Pain Management Services:

• Provide acute pain management for post-operative and trauma patients.
• Participate in multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics as required by the department.
• Implement patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), epidural, and regional pain techniques.
• Monitor and adjust analgesic plans based on individual patient responses.
• Educate patients and staff on safe opioid use and pain management strategies.
• Contribute to the development of hospital pain management protocols and guidelines.

Research and Academic Contribution:

• Participate in departmental or institutional research projects and audits.
• Present case studies, research findings, or clinical updates in academic forums.
• Contribute to the publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals when possible.
• Support ethical approval processes and data collection for ongoing studies.
• Encourage evidence-based decision-making through literature appraisal.
• Collaborate with other departments on interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Education and Professional Qualifications

• MBBS, MBChB or an equivalent medical qualification recognised by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
• Full MDCN registration and a current annual practising licence.
• Successful completion of the Part I Fellowship Examination in Anaesthesia of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, or the Membership Examination in Anaesthesia of the West African College of Surgeons.
• Completion of the prescribed junior residency training in an accredited institution, supported by satisfactory training records and clinical logbooks.
• NYSC discharge or exemption certificate, where applicable.

Additional Experience Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in anaesthesia, perioperative patient management, airway management and relevant invasive procedures.
• Documented ICU experience, including mechanical ventilation, haemodynamic monitoring, resuscitation and management of critically ill patients.
• Previous experience supervising junior medical staff and exposure to cardiothoracic anaesthesia are desirable.
• Membership of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists or another relevant professional association is desirable.

Must have skills:

• Anaesthetia.