Operation Theatre Techniques Curri Final 2016 103
Operation Theatre Techniques Curri Final 2016 103
The report ‘From Paramedics to Allied Health Professionals: Landscaping the Journey and Way
Forward’ that was published in 2012, marked the variance in education and training practices for
the allied and healthcare courses offered by institutions across the country. This prompted the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to envisage the creation of national guidelines for
education and career pathways of allied and healthcare professionals, with a structured
curriculum based on skills and competencies. Thus, this handbook has been designed to
familiarize universities, colleges, healthcare providers as well as educators offering allied and
healthcare courses with these national standards.
Individually, created for different professional groups of allied and healthcare, this handbook
aims to reduce the variation in education by comprising of a standardized curriculum, career
pathways, nomenclature and other details for each profession. The change from a purely didactic
approach will create better skilled professionals and improve the quality of overall patient care.
In the absence of a national standard-setting authority, this handbook can also guide the
thousands of young adults who choose healthcare as a profession – not as doctors or nurses but
to play several other critical roles – on the appropriate course of action to enable them to be
skilled allied and healthcare professionals of the future.
Who is an Allied and Healthcare Professional?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, accepted in its entirety the definition of an allied and
healthcare professional based on the afore-mentioned report, though the same has evolved after
multiple consultations and the recommended definition is now as follows-
‘Allied and healthcare professionals (AHPs) includes individuals involved with the delivery of health or healthcare related
services, with qualification and competence in therapeutic, diagnostic, curative, preventive and/or rehabilitative interventions.
They work in multidisciplinary health teams in varied healthcare settings including doctors (physicians and specialist), nurses
and public health officials to promote, protect, treat and/or manage a person(‘s) physical, mental, social, emotional,
environmental health and holistic well-being.’1
Since the past few years, many professional groups have been interacting and seeking guidance
on all those who would qualify under the purview of “allied and healthcare professionals”. In the
healthcare system, statutory bodies exist for clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and dental
practitioners; but a regulatory structure for around 50 professions is absent in India. Currently,
the Government is considering these professions (as listed Annex-1) under the ambit of the
allied and healthcare system. However, this number is subject to changes and modifications over
time, particularly considering how quickly new technologies and new clinical avenues are
expanding globally, creating newer cadres of such professionals.
Scope and need for allied and healthcare professionals in the Indian healthcare
system
The quality of medical care has improved tremendously in the last few decades due to the
advances in technology, thus creating fresh challenges in the field of healthcare. It is now widely
recognized that health service delivery is a team effort involving both clinicians and non-
clinicians, and is not the sole duty of physicians and nurses.1 Professionals that can competently
handle sophisticated machinery and advanced protocols are now in high demand. In fact,
Effective delivery of healthcare services depends largely on the nature of education, training and
appropriate orientation towards community health of all categories of health personnel, and their
capacity to function as an integrated team. For instance in the UK, more than 84,000 AHPs, with
a range of skills and expertise, play key roles within the National Health Service, working
autonomously, in multi-professional teams in various settings. All of them are first-contact
practitioners and work across a wide range of locations and sectors within acute, primary and
community care. Australia’s health system is managed not just by their doctors and nurses, but
also by the 90,000 university-trained, autonomous AHPs vital to the system.2,3
As the Indian government aims for Universal Health Coverage, the lack of skilled human
resource may prove to be the biggest impediment in its path to achieve targeted goals. The
benefits of having AHPs in the healthcare system are still unexplored in India. Although an
enormous amount of evidence suggests that the benefits of AHPs range from improving access
to healthcare services to significant reduction in the cost of care, though the Indian healthcare
system still revolves around the doctor-centric approach. The privatization of healthcare has also
led to an ever-increasing out-of-pocket expenditure by the population. However, many examples
assert the need of skilled allied and healthcare professionals in the system, such as in the case of
stroke survivors, it is the support of AHPs that significantly enhance their rehabilitation and long
term treatment ensures return to normal life. AHPs also play a significant role to care for
patients who struggle mentally and emotionally in the current challenging environment and
require mental health support; and help them return to well-being.2 Children with
communication difficulties, the elderly, cancer patients, patients with long term conditions such
as diabetes people with vision problems and amputees; the list of people and potential patients
who benefit from AHPs is indefinite.
Thus, the breadth and scope of the allied and healthcare practice varies from one end to another,
including areas of work listed below:
Across the age span of human development from neonate to old age;
With patients having complex and challenging problems resulting from systemic
illnesses such as in the case of diabetes, cardiac abnormalities/conditions and elderly
care to name a few;
Towards health promotion and disease prevention, as well as assessment,
management and evaluation of interventions and protocols for treatment;
In a broad range of settings from a patient's home to community, primary care
centers, to tertiary care settings; and
With an understanding of the healthcare issues associated with diverse socio-
economies and cultural norms within the society.
The handbook has been designed with a focus on performance-based outcomes pertaining to
different levels. The learning goals and objectives of the undergraduate and graduate education
program will be based on the performance expectations. They will be articulated as learning goals
(why we teach this) and learning objectives (what the students will learn). Using the framework,
Clinical care
1. Communication
2. Membership of a multidisciplinary health team
3. Ethics and accountability at all levels (clinical, professional, personal and social)
4. Commitment to professional excellence
5. Leadership and mentorship
6. Social accountability and responsibility
7. Scientific attitude and scholarship (only at higher level- PhD)
8. Lifelong learning
1. Clinical Care4
Using a patient/family-centered approach and best evidence, each student will organize and
implement the prescribed preventive, investigative and management plans; and will offer
appropriate follow-up services. Program objectives should enable the students to:
2. Communication4,5
The student will learn how to communicate with patients/clients, care-givers, other health
professionals and other members of the community effectively and appropriately.
Communication is a fundamental requirement in the provision of health care services. Program
objectives should enable the students to:
Recognize, clearly articulate, understand and support shared goals in the team that
reflect patient and family priorities
Possess distinct roles within the team; to have clear expectations for each member’s
functions, responsibilities, and accountabilities, which in turn optimizes the team’s
efficiency and makes it possible for them to use division of labor advantageously, and
accomplish more than the sum of its parts
Develop mutual trust within the team to create strong norms of reciprocity and
greater opportunities for shared achievement
Communicate effectively so that the team prioritizes and continuously refines its
communication channels creating an environment of general and specific
understanding
Recognize measurable processes and outcomes, so that the individual and team can
agree on and implement reliable and timely feedback on successes and failures in
both the team’s functioning and the achievement of their goals. These can then be
used to track and improve performance immediately and over time.
Describe and apply the basic concepts of clinical ethics to actual cases and situations
Demonstrate distinctive, meritorious and high quality practice that leads to excellence
and that depicts commitment to competence, standards, ethical principles and values,
within the legal boundaries of practice
Demonstrate the quality of being answerable for all actions and omissions to all,
including service users, peers, employers, standard-setting/regulatory bodies or
oneself
Demonstrate humanity in the course of everyday practice by virtue of having respect
(and dignity), compassion, empathy, honour and integrity
Ensure that self-interest does not influence actions or omissions, and demonstrate
regards for service-users and colleagues
Perform objective self-assessments of their knowledge and skills; learn and refine
existing skills; and acquire new skills
Apply newly gained knowledge or skills to patient care
Enhance their personal and professional growth and learning by constant
introspection and utilizing experiences
Search (including through electronic means), and critically evaluate medical literature
to enable its application to patient care
Develop a research question and be familiar with basic, clinical and translational
research in its application to patient care
Identify and select an appropriate, professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling
career pathway
A significant skill gap has been observed in the professionals offering healthcare services
irrespective of the hierarchy and level of responsibility in the healthcare settings. The large
variation in the quality of services is due to the diverse methodologies opted for healthcare
education and the difference in expectations from a graduate after completion of a course and at
work. What one is expected ‘to perform’ at work is assumed to be learned during the course,
however, the course design focuses on what one is expected ‘to know’. The competency-based
curriculum thus connects the dots between the ‘know what’ and ‘do how’.
The efficiency and effectiveness of any educational programme largely depends on the
curriculum design that is being followed. With emerging medical and scientific knowledge,
educators have realized that learning is no more limited to memorizing specific lists of facts and
data; in fact, by the time the professional aims to practice in the healthcare setting, the acquired
knowledge may stand outdated. Thus, competency-based education is the answer; a curricular
concept designed to provide the skills that professionals need. A competency-based program is a
mix of skills and competencies based on individual or population needs (such as clinical
knowledge, patient care, or communications approaches), which is then developed to teach
relevant content across a range of courses and settings. While the traditional system of education
focuses on objectives, content, teacher-centric approach and summative evaluation; competency-
based education has a focus on competencies, outcomes, performance and accomplishments. In
such a case, teaching activities are learner-centered, and evaluation is continuous and formative
in structure. The competency-based credentials depend on the demonstration of a defined set of
competencies which enables a professional to achieve targeted goals. Competency frameworks
comprise of a clearly articulated statement of a person’s abilities on the completion of the
credential, which allows students, employers, and other stakeholders to set their expectations
appropriately.12 13
Considering the need of the present and future healthcare delivery system, the curriculum design
depicted in this handbook thus will be based on skills and competencies.
The shift in the focus from traditional to competency-based education has made it pertinent that
the learning processes may also be revisited for suitable changes. It is a known fact that learning
is no more restricted to the boundaries of a classroom or the lessons taught by a teacher. The
new tools and technologies have widened the platform and introduced innovative modes of how
students can learn and gain skills and knowledge. One of the innovative approaches is learner-
centric and follows the concept of self-directed learning.
Self-directed learning, in its broadest meaning, describes a process in which individuals take the initiative with or
without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying resources for
learning, choosing and implementing learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes (Knowles, 1975).14
In self-directed learning, learners themselves take the initiative to use resources rather than
simply reacting to transmissions from resources, which helps them learn more in a better way. 15
Lifelong, self-directed learning (SDL) has been identified as an important ability for medical
Recently the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the University Grants
Commission (UGC) have highlighted the need for the development of a Choice-Based Credit
System (CBCS), at par with global standards and the adoption of an effective grading system to
measure a learner’s performance.17 All the major higher education providers across the globe are
operating a system of credits. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the ‘National
Qualifications Framework’ in Australia, the Pan-Canadian Protocol on the Transferability of
University Credits, the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS) in the UK as well as
the systems operating in the US, Japan, etc. are examples of these. Globally, a need now exists
for the use of a fully convertible credit-based system that can be accepted at other universities. It
has now become imperative to offer flexible curricular choices and provide learners mobility due
to the popularity of initiatives such as ‘twinning programmes’, ‘joint degrees’ and ‘study abroad’
programmes.18
In order to ensure global acceptability of the graduates, the current curriculum structure is
divided into smaller sections with focus on hours of studying which can be converted into credit
hours as per the international norms followed by various other countries.
Vertical integration, in its truest sense, is the interweaving of teaching clinical skills and
knowledge into the basic science years and, reinforcing and continuing to teach the applications
of basic science concepts during the clinical years. (Many efforts called ‘vertical integration’
include only the first half of the process).
Horizontal integration is the identification of concepts or skills, especially those that are clinically
relevant, that cut across (for example, the basic sciences), and then putting these to use as an
integrated focus for presentations, clinical examples, and course materials. e.g. Integration of
some of the basic science courses around organ systems, e.g., human anatomy, physiology,
pathology; or incorporating ethics, legal issues, finance, political issues, humanities, culture and
computer skills into different aspects of a course like the Clinical Continuum.
The aim of an integrated curriculum is to lead students to a level of scientific fluency that is
beyond mere fact and concept acquisition, by the use of a common language of medical science,
with which they can begin to think creatively about medical problems.19
This innovative new curriculum has been structured in a way such that it facilitates horizontal
and vertical integration between disciplines; and bridges the gaps between both theory &
The foundation course for allied and healthcare professions is an immersive programme
designed to impart the required knowledge, skills and confidence for seamless transition to the
second semester of a professional allied and healthcare course. Post admission, the foundation
course is designed for a period of 6 months to prepare a student to study the respective allied
and healthcare course effectively and to understand the basics of healthcare system. This aims to
orient the student to national health systems and the basics of public health, medical ethics,
medical terminologies, communication skills, basic life support, computer learning, infection
prevention and control, environmental issues and disaster management, as well as orientation to
the community with focus on issues such as gender sensitivity, disability, human rights, civil
rights etc. Though the flexibility to the course designers have been provided in terms of –
modifying the required numbers of hours for each foundation subject and appropriate placement
of the subject across various semesters.
Learning methodologies
With a focus on self-directed learning, the curriculum will include a foundation course that
focuses on communication, basic clinical skills and professionalism; and will incorporate clinical
training from the first year itself. It is recommended that the primary care level should have
sufficient clinical exposure integrated with the learning of basic and laboratory sciences. There
should also be an emphasis on the introduction of case scenarios for classroom discussion/case-
based learning.
Healthcare education and training is the backbone of an efficient healthcare system and India's
education infrastructure is yet to gain from the ongoing international technological revolution.
The report ‘From Paramedics to Allied Health: Landscaping the Journey and way ahead’, indicates that
teaching and learning of clinical skills occur at the patient’s bedside or other clinical areas such as
laboratories, augmented by didactic teaching in classrooms and lecture theatres. In addition to
keeping up with the pace of technological advancement, there has been a paradigm shift to
outcome-based education with the adoption of effective assessment patterns. However, the
demand for demonstration of competence in institutions where it is currently limited needs to be
promoted. The report also mentions some of the allied and healthcare schools in India that have
instituted clinical skill centres, laboratories and high-fidelity simulation laboratories to enhance
the practice and training for allied and healthcare students and professionals. The report
reiterates the fact that simulation is the replication of part or all of a clinical encounter through
the use of mannequins, computer-assisted resources and simulated patients. The use of
simulators addresses many issues such as suboptimal use of resources and equipment, by
adequately training the manpower on newer technologies, limitations for imparting practical
training in real-life scenarios, and ineffective skills assessment methods among others.1 The table
mentioned below lists various modes of teaching and learning opportunities that harness
advanced tools and technologies.
Assessment methods
Several new methods and tools are now readily accessible, the use of which requires special
training. Some of these are given below:
An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is used these days in a number of allied and
healthcare courses, e.g. Optometry, Physiotherapy, and Radiography. It tests the performance
and competence in communication, clinical examination, and medical procedures/prescriptions.
In physiotherapy, orthotics, and occupational therapy, it tests exercise prescription, joint
mobilization/manipulation techniques; and in radiography it tests radiographic positioning,
radiographic image evaluation, and interpretation of results. The basic essential elements consist
of functional analysis of the occupational roles, translation of these roles (“competencies”) into
outcomes, and assessment of trainees' progress in these outcomes on the basis of demonstrated
With the release of the report ‘From Paramedics to Allied Health: Landscaping the journey and
the way ahead’, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare prioritized the key recommendations
and concerns raised by various allied and healthcare professionals groups and experts as
indicated in the report. One of the major recommendations in the report was the need for
standardization of curriculum and pedagogic requirements for the major allied and healthcare
professional courses.
The MoHFW has identified 12 priority professional streams in the phase-I for the purpose of
standardization. The expertise of over 50 leading public and private allied and healthcare
educational institutions for 12 different disciplines has been sought as part of this exercise.
Additionally, international experts from Canada, Sweden, USA and UK are also being roped in,
to arrive at a comprehensive and globally acceptable set of educational standards based on a
skills and competencies approach. The opinions were sought from experts for all the courses,
though curricula for the following two professions were not redesigned as they fall under the
ambit of regulatory body- Rehabilitation Council of India governed by Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment –
The National Skills Development Agency has also developed the National Skills Qualification
Framework (NSQF). Under the aegis of the NSDA, the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC)
has undertaken a similar process for a few entry level allied and healthcare courses (Certificate
and Diploma level). The focus of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is thus to preempt
duplication of efforts and arrive at a comprehensive set of minimum standards for the allied and
healthcare professions but for higher level professional qualifications. This would ensure that the
key considerations and obligations of both the public and the private sector are adequately
addressed.
In view of the above, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare instituted 12 National Curricula
Redesign Taskforce groups comprising of academicians and professionals from the best
institutes and colleges across the country. These people served as subject experts and redesigned
the curricula based on a standardized framework developed by the NIAHS TSU (National
Initiative for Allied Health Sciences-Technical Support Unit), which is the technical arm
supporting this project. The final curriculum has been reviewed and approved by the National
Curricula Review Committee (NCRC), (constituted by the MoHFW), that consists of experts
with versatile and immense experience in their respective streams, to assess the applicability of
the curricula drafted in view of the healthcare system as a whole.
Steps undertaken in the curricula review process –
1. Curricula were sought from various States and institutions across the country in response
to which the NIAHS TSU reviewed–
a. 118 curricula of allied and healthcare courses (different levels and different
professions) from 10 states across the country;
b. 133 curricula of various allied and healthcare courses collected during phase-I of
the NIAHS project.
A latest study by the Harvard School of Public Health has found that while the South-East Asia
region has just 2.6 OTs per 1 lakh population, the number is as low as 1.3 OT per 1 lakh
population in India and Pakistan. Whereas, developed regions like Eastern Europe have the
highest number of OTs per 1 lakh population - 25.1, followed by Asia Pacific (high income
countries) 24.3, Central Europe 15.7, Western Europe 14.7, North America and Australasia 14.3,
Central Asia 11.7 and the Caribbean 10.4 OTs). So we may interpret that there is an enormous
scope and need for the profession not only in India as well as in other developing countries but
at the same time along with skilled manpower we need adequate manpower.
Moreover, a variety of electrical and electronic equipment are in use in modern operation
theatres for monitoring anesthesia & surgical procedures, the success of the procedures and
safety of patients depend largely on the reliability, smooth and trouble free performance of these
equipment’s and ability of skilled manpower to operate the same. Thus, there is increased need
for qualified and trained professionals in the system. This course is aimed at satisfying this need.
An operation theatre (OT) technologist forms an intrinsic part of any hospital. To become a
trained professional one must undertake operation theatre technology course. An OT
professional is the one, who facilitates the surgical procedures, planned and emergency both, by
preparing in advance the equipment that are necessary for any surgical procedures. He/she also
looks after all the work and management of the operation theatre which includes managing the
patients in & out of operation theatre, looking after all the surgical equipment, arrangement of
operation theatre table, dressing table, anesthesia table as well as management of the staff. As the
surgical branch has various specialty including General Surgery, OBG, Cardiac, Ortho and
genito-urinary, the OT technologist needs to know about these various specialties.
Scope of practice
a. Setup, check, and maintain anesthesia machine, monitors life support equipment like airway
equipment, ventilator, emergency equipment, defibrillator, anesthetic and resuscitation drugs.
b. Orders, Maintains and keep records of all anesthesia equipment and drug.
c. Assist Anesthetist in patient procedures like setting up of invasive lines, airway
management, setting up of monitors and administer anesthesia to patient
d. Assists during emergency situations by assisting in basic and advanced life support, critical
events
e. Prepares and maintains operation table, light, electric cautery, tourniquets etc.
f. Management of central sterile services department. Packing of equipment and linen.
Sterilization procedures like autoclaving, plasma sterilization and disinfection procedures as
per guidelines, checking, storage and dispatch.
g. Management in Intensive Care unit and emergency department of equipment like ventilators,
monitors, infusion pumps, defibrillators etc.
h. Assist disaster team in disaster situations and national emergencies on field and safe transport
in ambulance.
i. Assist anesthesia and surgical team in all kinds of surgical disciplines.
j. Assist anesthetist during anesthesia procedures outside operation theatres like CT and MRI
suits, Cardiac catheterization laboratory, pain relief procedures etc.
Within the multidisciplinary team, the professional responsible for the facilitation and
preparation of the surgical procedures is the Operation theatre technologist.
The recommended title thus stands as the Operation Theatre Technologist with the
acronym - OTT for this group of professionals.
It is a known fact that with the career advancement, the nomenclature will also vary and will
also depend on the sector and profile of the professional. Considering the 10 NSQF levels
designed by the NSDA, the following level progression table has been proposed by the
taskforce to map the nomenclature, career pathways and progression in different sectors of
professional practice for Operation theatre technologist. The proposed progression is for
further discussion and deliberation, the implementation time of the same may vary
depending on the current system and regulations in place.
The table 2 below indicates the various channels of career progression in three distinct sectors
such as clinical setting, academic and industry (management/sales or technical) route. It is
envisaged that the OTT will have two entry pathways – students with diploma or baccalaureate.
The level of responsibility will increase as the career progresses and will starts with level four (4)
for diploma holders and level five (5) for baccalaureate holders. The table also indicates the
corresponding level of qualification with experience required by the professional to fulfill the
requirements of each level. Considering the degree of patient dealing in operation theatre
technology and such other professions, government aims to phase out the Diploma and PG
Diploma level courses and promote Bachelors’ and Masters’ degree courses. In the academic
front, as per UGC guidelines, to work at the position of a Lecturer/Assistant Professor the
candidate must attain master degree. At present there are limited master degree seats in
Operation Theatre Technology in India, and thus it has been decided that eventually provisions
will be made to provide bridge courses for PG Diploma holder for certain number of years to
bring them at par with the master level courses and universities will be promoted to start master
degree courses. The table also indicates that career progression is upto the level 10, however it
needs to be stated that the ultimate signatory authority on patient documentation stands with
the surgeon on role, the chief technical officer of the OT unit (clinical route) will be the
ultimate authority for the management responsibilities, the final authority for the clinical
decisions will be with the doctor.
Career progression
Theatre Operation PGDOTT
Technologist Theatre BSc OTT with 6-10 post BSc OTT
Technologist Diploma OTT 11-15 years’ experience
with General B.Sc. (only for Industry
pathway)
Level 7 Junior Technical Clinical Chief OT PGDOTT with 6-10 years post
Officer Instructor Technologist PGDOTT
BSc OTT with 11-15 years (Only
clinical/industry role) post BSc OTT
Level 8 Senior Technical - Deputy PGDOTT with 11-15 years post
Officer Manager for PGDOTT
OT BSc OTT with 16-20 years (only
clinical/industry role) post BSc OTT
Technology
Level 9 Chief Operation - Additional PGDOTT with 16-20 years post
Theatre Officer Director for PGDOTT
OT BSc OTT with 21-25 years (only
clinical/industry role) post BSc OTT
Technology
Level Chief Operation - Director for PGDOTT with 21-25 years post
10 Theatre Manager OT PGDOTT
Technology BSc OTT with 26-30 years (only
clinical/industry role) post BSc OTT
PGDOTT- Post Graduate Diploma for Operation Theatre Technology, this has been included in this
table considering the fact that some MSc course or PG Diploma course may exist or/and can be
developed for the Operation Theatre technology professionals. So the probable progression will be as
indicated in the table 2 above.
Definition of Operation Theatre Technologist
When developing any education programme it is necessary that programme planning should be
outcome-based, meeting local and national manpower requirements, personal satisfaction and
Thus, the following curriculum aims to focus on skills and competencies based approach for
learning and is designed accordingly. The curriculum is prescriptive and is designed with an aim
to standardize the content across the nation.
Entry requirements
It is recommended that the students entering the OTT programme should have completed the
recognized secondary school studies as the qualification, stipulated for OTT course
(diploma/degree) is 10+2 or equivalent examination with science subject from a recognized
university or board which would provide the foundation for and prepare them for higher
education studies with minimum 50% aggregate marks at HSC for open category and minimum
45% aggregate marks for reserve category.
Course Duration
It is recommended that any programme developed from this curriculum should have a minimum
of the following duration to qualify as an entry level professional in OTT -
2.5 year programme (including 6 months of clinical training/internship)-
Diploma level
4 year programme (including 1 year of clinical training /internship)- Bachelor’s
degree level
The emphasis initially should be on the academic content establishing a strong scientific basis
and in the latter year on the application of theory to clinical/reflective practice. In Bachelor
degree programme minimum one year should be devoted to clinical practice and this should be
on a continuum of rotation from theory to practice over the programme. The aim of the 4 year
degree programme is to enable the development of the OTT as a key member of the
multidisciplinary team and to enable him/her to execute his/her role with ensuring quality.
With the change in the disease dynamics and multifold increase in the, it is imperative that a well-
structured programme of postgraduate education is also encouraged so as to enhance research
capacity within the country to widen the scope of clinical practice for the profession. Thus, a
master’s degree programme is recommended with minimum of two years of education in
specialized field. The post graduate students can contribute significantly in research and
academics. Presently, there are limited master degree courses in the country and institutes and
universities should be encouraged to start such courses.
The importance of providing an adequate learning environment for the students cannot be over
emphasized. Both the physical infrastructure and the teaching staff must be adequate.
Job availability
As per ILO documentation, employers worldwide are looking for job applicants who not only
have technical skills that can be applied in the workplace, but who also can communicate
effectively, including with customers; can work in teams, with good interpersonal skills; can solve
problems; have good ICT skills; are willing and able to learn; and are flexible in their approach to
work.22 After completion of the courses mentioned in following chapters, the individual will find
a challenging career in a hospital, nursing homes, trauma / emergency centers, Intensive Care
units, CSSD etc. Graduates are eligible for employment overseas where their qualifications,
training and experience are highly regarded. With further experience, graduates may be employed
by medical equipment manufacturers and development specialists.
Graduates have good employment prospects, and will enter a field in which the demand for
professionals has increased in recent years and will keep on increasing due to changing
environment and conditions.
The need for accuracy in preparation and delivery is a critical component of modern technology
driven healthcare and requires knowledge and understanding of the basic sciences as well as the
interaction between the technology used in operation theatres and the site within the body that
needs the surgical intervention. In an era of greater complexity of technology and techniques, the
role of the operation theatre technologist (OTT) and his/her level of responsibility is continually
evolving and expanding. Education programmes should provide the OTT with the scientific
theoretical foundation of the profession and enable them, as practitioners, to be able to
synthesize, evaluate and apply their knowledge in a clinical setting.
The aims of the recommended curriculum are to produce OTTs who are
- Technically and clinically competent;
- Aware of safety issues and the importance of quality assurance;
- Understand the theoretical basis for evidence based practice;
- Effective members of the multidisciplinary team;
- Prepared to participate in or initiate research into practice;
- Can work according to registration requirements on the respective continents.
All aspects of operation theatre technology have been considered in the development of this
curriculum together with the identification of the roles expected for different levels based on
their qualification and experience. The need for connecting the dots between the education and
employment practices has been the road map for devising this curriculum.
The National Curriculum Taskforce on Operation theatre technology has successfully designed
the career and qualification map indicating the growth opportunities for a professional in the
career pathway based on the level as indicated in the National Skills Qualification Framework
(NSQF). The career pathway indicates level 4 as the entry level after the completion of a
minimum 2.5 years of diploma level programme on operation theatre technology (Diploma in
Operation Theatre Technology) as well as level 5 as the entry level after completion of a
minimum 4 years of Baccalaureate level programme on operation theatre (Bachelor in Operation
Theatre Technology). The component of the programmes starting from diploma and above has
been detailed out in the coming chapters.
Foundation course has also been designed to bring all the students at the same level of
understanding with respect to basic healthcare related norms before the start of a career in a
healthcare professional course. The foundation course is mandatory for all the allied and
healthcare professional courses and for both entry level courses – diploma as well as degree. If a
diploma holder has completed the foundation course and is willing to pursue the degree course,
the candidate will directly get entry for next semester, however a pre- qualifier skill test will have
to be satisfactorily completed, if not, then the candidate will have to undergo the first semester
of foundation course again.
Medium of instruction:
English shall be the medium of instruction for all the subjects of study and for examination of
the course.
Attendance:
A candidate has to secure minimum -
1. 75% attendance in theoretical
2. 80% in Skills training (practical) for qualifying to appear for the final examination.
No relaxation, whatsoever, will be permissible to this rule under any ground including
indisposition etc.
Assessment:
Assessments should be completed by the academic staff, based on the compilation of the
student’s theoretical & clinical performance throughout the training programme. To achieve this,
all assessment forms and feedback should be included and evaluated.
Third Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
DOTT-015 Applied Anatomy 40 60 100
DOTT-016 Applied Physiology 40 60 100
DOTT-017 Clinical Pharmacology 40 60 100
DOTT-018 Principles of Anesthesia 60 80 140
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part II (studentship) - 100 100
TOTAL 180 360 540
Fourth Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
DOTT-019 CSSD Procedures 50 100 150
DOTT-020 Basic Anesthetic techniques 30 80 110
DOTT-021 Regional Anesthetic techniques 30 80 110
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part III (studentship) - 170 170
TOTAL 110 430 540
Fifth Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
OTT Internship 720 720
This course introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building
familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics
include: origin, word building, abbreviations and symbols, terminology related to the human
anatomy, reading medical orders and reports, and terminology specific to the student’s field of
study. Spelling is critical and will be counted when grading tests. 27Topics to be covered under the
subject are as follows:
The students will be able to appreciate the role of computer technology. The course has focus on
computer organization, computer operating system and software, and MS windows, Word
processing, Excel data worksheet and PowerPoint presentation. Topics to be covered under the
subject are as follows:
Legal and ethical considerations are firmly believed to be an integral part of medical practice in
planning patient care. Advances in medical sciences, growing sophistication of the modern
society’s legal framework, increasing awareness of human rights and changing moral principles of
the community at large, now result in frequent occurrences of healthcare professionals being
caught in dilemmas over aspects arising from daily practice.28
Medical ethics has developed into a well based discipline which acts as a "bridge" between
theoretical bioethics and the bedside. The goal is "to improve the quality of patient care by
identifying, analyzing, and attempting to resolve the ethical problems that arise in practice".28
Doctors are bound by, not just moral obligations, but also by laws and official regulations that
form the legal framework to regulate medical practice. Hence, it is now a universal consensus
that legal and ethical considerations are inherent and inseparable parts of good medical practice
across the whole spectrum. Few of the important and relevant topics that need to focus on are as
follows:
1. Medical ethics - Definition - Goal - Scope
2. Introduction to Code of conduct
3. Basic principles of medical ethics – Confidentiality
4. Malpractice and negligence - Rational and irrational drug therapy
5. Autonomy and informed consent - Right of patients
6. Care of the terminally ill- Euthanasia
7. Organ transplantation
8. Medico legal aspects of medical records – Medico legal case and type- Records and
document related to MLC - ownership of medical records - Confidentiality Privilege
communication - Release of medical information - Unauthorized disclosure - retention of
medical records - other various aspects.
9. Professional Indemnity insurance policy
10. Development of standardized protocol to avoid near miss or sentinel events
11. Obtaining an informed consent.
1. Quality assurance and management - The objective of the course is to help students
understand the basic concepts of quality in health Care and develop skills to implement
sustainable quality assurance program in the health system.
a. Concepts of Quality of Care
b. Quality Improvement Approaches
c. Standards and Norms
d. Quality Improvement Tools
e. Introduction to NABH guidelines
2. Basics of emergency care and life support skills - Basic life support (BLS) is the
foundation for saving lives following cardiac arrest. Fundamental aspects of BLS include
immediate recognition of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and activation of the emergency
response system, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and rapid defibrillation with
an automated external defibrillator (AED). Initial recognition and response to heart
attack and stroke are also considered part of BLS. The student is also expected to learn
about basic emergency care including first aid and triage. Topics to be covered under the
subject are as follows:
a. Vital signs and primary assessment
b. Basic emergency care – first aid and triage
c. Ventilations including use of bag-valve-masks (BVMs)
d. Choking, rescue breathing methods
e. One- and Two-rescuer CPR
f. Using an AED (Automated external defibrillator).
g. Managing an emergency including moving a patient
At the end of this topic, focus should be to teach the students to perform the maneuvers
in simulation lab and to test their skills with focus on airways management and chest
compressions. At the end of the foundation course, each student should be able to
perform and execute/operate on the above mentioned modalities.
3. Bio medical waste management and environment safety- The aim of this section will be
to help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment and the general public.
Topics to be covered under the subject are as follows:
a. Definition of Biomedical Waste
b. Waste minimization
c. BMW – Segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal (including
color coding)
d. Liquid BMW, Radioactive waste, Metals / Chemicals / Drug waste
e. BMW Management & methods of disinfection
f. Modern technology for handling BMW
g. Use of Personal protective equipment (PPE)
h. Monitoring & controlling of cross infection (Protective devices)
4. Infection prevention and control - The objective of this section will be to provide a
broad understanding of the core subject areas of infection prevention and control and to
5. Antibiotic Resistance-
a. History of Antibiotics
b. How Resistance Happens and Spreads
c. Types of resistance- Intrinsic, Acquired, Passive
d. Trends in Drug Resistance
e. Actions to Fight Resistance
f. Bacterial persistence
g. Antibiotic sensitivity
h. Consequences of antibiotic resistance
i. Antimicrobial Stewardship- Barriers and opportunities, Tools and models in
hospitals
6. Disaster preparedness and management- The objective of this section will be to provide
knowledge on the principles of on-site disaster management. Concepts to be taught
should include-
a. Fundamentals of emergency management,
b. Psychological impact management,
c. Resource management,
d. Preparedness and risk reduction,
e. Key response functions (including public health, logistics and governance,
recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction), information management, incident
command and institutional mechanisms.
Professionalism and Values
The module on professionalism will deliver the concept of what it means to be a professional
and how a specialized profession is different from a usual vocation. It also explains how relevant
is professionalism in terms of healthcare system and how it affects the overall patient
environment.
1. Professional values- Integrity, Objectivity, Professional competence and due care,
Confidentiality
2. Personal values- ethical or moral values
3. Attitude and behavior- professional behavior, treating people equally
4. Code of conduct , professional accountability and responsibility, misconduct
5. Differences between professions and importance of team efforts
6. Cultural issues in the healthcare environment
The objective of this module is to help the students understand the basic principles of research
and methods applied to draw inferences from the research findings.
1. Introduction to research methods
2. Identifying research problem
3. Ethical issues in research
4. Research design
5. Basic Concepts of Biostatistics
6. Types of Data
7. Research tools and Data collection methods
8. Sampling methods
9. Developing a research proposal
Principals of Management
The course is intended to provide a knowledge about the basic principles of Management.
1. Introduction to management
2. Strategic Management
3. Foundations of Planning
4. Planning Tools and Techniques
5. Decision Making, conflict and stress management
6. Managing Change and Innovation
7. Understanding Groups and Teams
8. Leadership
9. Time Management
10. Cost and efficiency
Community orientation and clinical visit
The objective of this particular section of the foundation course is to sensitize potential learners
with essential knowledge; this will lay a sound foundation for their learning across the under-
graduate program and across their career. Innovative teaching methods should be used to ensure
the attention of a student and make them more receptive such as group activities, interactive
fora, role plays, and clinical bed-side demonstrations. 30
1. The community orientation and clinical visit will include visit to the entire chain of
healthcare delivery system -Sub centre, PHC, CHC, SDH, DH and Medical college,
private hospitals, dispensaries and clinics.
2. The student will also be briefed regarding governance at village level including interaction
and group discussion with village panchayat and front line health workers.
3. Clinical visit to their respective professional department within the hospital.
Second Semester
Basic anatomy
1. Introduction to Anatomy: Basic Anatomical terminology
a. Osteology-
Upper limb – clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna,
Practical-
Mannequins to be provided for Teaching Osteology – Bones identification (right and left side)
and prominent features and muscle attachment of the bone, clavicle, scapula, radius, ulna,
humerus, femur, hip bone, sacrum, tibia, fibula. Surface Anatomy, Radiology, and X-ray Chest
PA view.
Physiology
1. The Cell:
a. Acid base balance and disturbances of acid base balances (Alkalosis, Acidosis)
2. The Blood:
a. Composition of Blood, functions of the blood and plasma proteins, classification
and protein.
b. Pathological and Physiological variation of the RBC.
c. Function of Haemoglobin.
d. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
e. Detailed description about WBC-Total count (TC), Differential count (DC) and
functions.
f. Platelets – formation and normal level and functions.
g. Blood groups and Rh factor.
3. Cardio-Vascular System:
a. Physiology of the heart.
b. Heart sounds.
c. Cardiac cycle, Cardiac output.
d. Auscultation
e. Arterial pressures, blood pressure.
f. Hypertension.
g. Electro cardiogram (ECG.)
4. Respiratory system:
a. Respiratory ventilation
b. Oxygenation
c. Definitions and Normal values of Lung volumes and Lung capacities.
5. Excretory system:
a. Normal Urinary output
b. Renal function tests, renal disorders.
6. Reproductive system:
a. Formation of semen and spermatogenesis.
b. Brief account of menstrual cycle.
7. Central Nervous system:
Practical-
1. Determination of Blood Groups.
2. Measurement of human blood pressure.
3. Examination of Respiratory system to count respiratory rate and measure inspiration and
respiration.
Lab Sciences - Bio-chemistry
1. Vitamins & Minerals: Fat soluble vitamins(A,D,E,K) – Water soluble vitamins – B-
complex vitamins- principal elements(Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium,
Potassium, Chlorine and sulphur)- Trace elements – Calorific value of foods – Basal
metabolic rate(BMR) – respiratory quotient(RQ)
2. Acids and bases: Definition, pH, Henderson – Hassel Balch equation, Buffers, Indicators,
Normality, Molarity, Molality.
Practical-
1. Arterial blood gases
2. Blood sugar
Lab Sciences - Pathology
1. Cellular adaptation, Cell injury & cell death.
a. Introduction to pathology.
b. Overview: Cellular response to stress and noxious stimuli. Cellular adaptations of
growth and differentiation.
c. Overview of cell injury and cell death.
d. Causes of cell injury. Mechanisms of cell
injury.
e. Reversible and irreversible cell injury.
f. Examples of cell injury and necrosis.
2. Inflammation.
a. General features of inflammation Historical highlights
b. Acute inflammation
c. Chemical mediators of inflammation Outcomes of acute inflammation
Morphologic patterns of acute inflammation Summary of acute inflammation
d. Chronic inflammation
3. Immunity disorders.
a. General features of the immune system Disorders of the
immune system
4. Infectious diseases.
a. General principles of microbial pathogenesis viral infections.
b. Bacterial infections-Rheumatic heart disease.
c. Fungal infections.
2. Personnel management:
Objective of Personnel Management – Role of Personnel Manager in an organization –
Staffing and work distribution techniques – Job analysis and description – Recruitment
and selection processes – Orientation and training – Coaching and counselling –
disciplining – Complaints and grievances – Termination of employees – Performance
appraisal – Health and safety of employees - Consumer Protection Act as applicable to
health care services.
Third Semester
Applied anatomy and physiology related to anesthesia
1. Respiratory system
a. Structure and function of the respiratory tract in relation to respiratory
system.
Nose - Role in humidification,
Pharynx - Obstruction in airways.
Larynx- Movement or vocal cords, Cord palsies.
Trachea & Bronchial tree - vessels, nerve supply, respiratory tract,
reflexes, and bronchospasm.
Alveoli - Layers, Surfactants
b. Respiratory Physiology.
Control or breathing.
Respiratory muscles - diaphragm, intercostal
Lung volumes - dead space, vital capacity, FRC etc.
Pleural cavity – intra-pleural pressure, pneumothorax.
Work of breathing - airway resistance, compliance
Respiratory movements under anesthesia.
Tracheal tug - signs, hiccup.
c. Pulmonary Gas Exchange and Acid Base Status.
Pulmonary circulation -Pulmonary edema,
Pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary function tests.
Transfer of gases - oxygen &Carbon dioxide.
Acid base status, definitions, acidosis types, Alkalosis types, buffers in
the body.
d. Oxygen: properties, storage, supply, hypoxia. Oxygen therapy
e. Respiratory failure, type, clinical features, causes.
2. Cardiovascular system
a. Anatomy- Chambers of the heart, major vasculature.
Coronary supply, innervation.
4. Blood transfusion
a. Blood grouping, storage, administration
Clinical pharmacology
2. Anesthesia machine
a. Hanger and yoke system
b. Cylinder pressure gauge
c. Pressure regulator
d. Flow meter assembly
e. Vaporizers - types, hazards, maintenance, filling and draining, etc.
3. Breathing system
a. General considerations: humidity & heat
b. Common components - connectors, adaptors, reservoir bags.
c. Capnography
d. Pulse oximetry
e. Methods of humidification.
f. Classification of breathing system
g. Mapleson system - a b c d e f
h. Jackson Rees system, Bain circuit
i. Non rebreathing valves - Ambu valves
j. The circle system
4. Face masks & Airway laryngoscopes
a. Types, sizes
b. Endotracheal tubes - Types, sizes.
c. Cuff system
d. Fixing, removing and inflating cuff, checking tube position, complications.
6. Monitoring
a. Electrocardiography(ECG)
b. Pulse oximetry(Sp02)
c. Temperature- central and peripheral
d. End tidal carbon dioxide( EtCO2)
e. Anesthesia gas monitoring
f. Non-invasive blood pressure (NIPB) and Invasive blood pressure(IBP)
g. Central venous pressure(CVP)
h. PA Pressure, LA Pressure & cardiac output
i. Anesthesia depth monitor
j. Neuromuscular transmission monitor
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part II (studentship)
Students will gain additional skills in the preparation procedures, interaction with patients and
professional personnel. Students apply knowledge from previous clinical learning experience
under the supervision of a registered technical officer. Students are tested on intermediate clinical
preparation skills.
2. Pre-Op Preparation:
a. Pre anesthetic assessment~ History –, past history - disease / Surgery / and
personal history - Smoking / alcohol
b. General physical assessment, systemic examination – CVS, RS, CNS
3. Investigations
a. Routine - Hematological - their significance
Urine
E.C.G.
Chest X - ray
b. Special- Endocrine, hormonal assays
Echocardiography
Angiography
Liver function test
Renal function test
Others
c. Case acceptance: ASA grading - I, II, III, IV. V
5. Intraoperative Management
a. Confirm the identification of the patient
b. Monitoring - minimum
c. Noninvasive & Invasive monitoring
d. Induction - drugs used
e. Endotracheal intubation
f. Maintenance of anesthesia
g. Positioning of the patient
h. Blood / fluid & electrolyte balance
i. Reversal from anesthesia - drugs used
j. Transferring the patient
k. Recovery room – set up and things needed
The internship time period provides the students the opportunity to continue to develop
confidence and increased skill in simulation and service delivery. Students will demonstrate
competence in beginning, intermediate, and advanced procedures in both areas. Students will
participate in advanced and specialized procedures. The student will complete the clinical training
by practicing all the skills learned in classroom and clinical instruction. The students are expected
to work for minimum 8 hours per day and this may be more depending on the need and the
healthcare setting.
Properly identify,
segregate, handle, label,
and store waste.
Total 1420
1. He/she has passed the Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination recognized
by any Indian University or a duly constituted Board with pass marks (50%)in physics,
chemistry, biology/mathematics.
OR
Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology after completing 12th class/ 10 +2 of CBSE
or equivalent with minimum aggregate of 50% marks in physics, chemistry and
biology/mathematics provided the candidate has passed in each subject separately.
2. He/she has attained the age of 17 years as on - (current year) & maximum age limit is 30
years.
No relaxation, whatsoever, will be permissible to this rule under any ground including
indisposition etc.
Assessment:
Assessments should be completed by the academic staff, based on the compilation of the
student’s theoretical &clinical performance throughout the training programme. To achieve this,
all assessment forms and feedback should be included and evaluated.
Third Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
BOTT-014 Pathology 40 80 120
BOTT-015 Medicine 40 80 120
BOTT-016 Principles of Anesthesia 40 100 140
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part II (studentship) - 160 160
TOTAL 120 420 540
Fourth Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
BOTT-017 Clinical Pharmacology 40 60 100
BOTT-018 Clinical Microbiology 40 60 100
BOTT-019 Basic techniques of Anesthesia 40 120 160
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part III (studentship) 180 180
TOTAL 120 420 540
Fifth Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
BOTT-020 Basics of Surgical procedures 30 50 80
BOTT-021 CSSD Procedures. 30 70 100
BOTT-022 Advance anesthetic techniques 50 70 120
BOTT-023 Basic Intensive care 30 100 130
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part IV (studentship) 110 110
TOTAL 140 400 540
Sixth Semester
Sl. No. Course Titles Hours
Theory Practical Total
BOTT-024 Specialized surgery and anesthesia 80 200 280
BOTT-025 Electronics and technology in surgery and anesthesia 50 100 150
OTT Directed Clinical Education – part V (studentship) 110 110
TOTAL 130 410 540
This course introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building
familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics
include: origin, word building, abbreviations and symbols, terminology related to the human
anatomy, reading medical orders and reports, and terminology specific to the student’s field of
study. Spelling is critical and will be counted when grading tests.27 Topics to be covered under
the subject are as follows:
The students will be able to appreciate the role of computer technology. The course has focus on
computer organization, computer operating system and software, and MS windows, Word
processing, Excel data worksheet and PowerPoint presentation. Topics to be covered under the
subject are as follows:
Legal and ethical considerations are firmly believed to be an integral part of medical practice in
planning patient care. Advances in medical sciences, growing sophistication of the modern
society’s legal framework, increasing awareness of human rights and changing moral principles of
the community at large, now result in frequent occurrences of healthcare professionals being
caught in dilemmas over aspects arising from daily practice.28
Medical ethics has developed into a well based discipline which acts as a "bridge" between
theoretical bioethics and the bedside. The goal is "to improve the quality of patient care by
identifying, analyzing, and attempting to resolve the ethical problems that arise in practice". 28
Doctors are bound by, not just moral obligations, but also by laws and official regulations that
form the legal framework to regulate medical practice. Hence, it is now a universal consensus
that legal and ethical considerations are inherent and inseparable parts of good medical practice
across the whole spectrum. Few of the important and relevant topics that need to focus on are as
follows:
1. Medical ethics - Definition - Goal - Scope
2. Introduction to Code of conduct
3. Basic principles of medical ethics – Confidentiality
4. Malpractice and negligence - Rational and irrational drug therapy
5. Autonomy and informed consent - Right of patients
6. Care of the terminally ill- Euthanasia
7. Organ transplantation
8. Medico legal aspects of medical records – Medico legal case and type- Records and
document related to MLC - ownership of medical records - Confidentiality Privilege
communication - Release of medical information - Unauthorized disclosure - retention of
medical records - other various aspects.
9. Professional Indemnity insurance policy
10. Development of standardized protocol to avoid near miss or sentinel events
11. Obtaining an informed consent.
Communication and soft skills
1. Quality assurance and management - The objective of the course is to help students
understand the basic concepts of quality in health Care and develop skills to implement
sustainable quality assurance program in the health system.
a. Concepts of Quality of Care
b. Quality Improvement Approaches
c. Standards and Norms
d. Quality Improvement Tools
e. Introduction to NABH guidelines
2. Basics of emergency care and life support skills - Basic life support (BLS) is the
foundation for saving lives following cardiac arrest. Fundamental aspects of BLS include
immediate recognition of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and activation of the emergency
response system, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and rapid defibrillation with
an automated external defibrillator (AED). Initial recognition and response to heart
attack and stroke are also considered part of BLS. The student is also expected to learn
about basic emergency care including first aid and triage. Topics to be covered under the
subject are as follows:
a. Vital signs and primary assessment
b. Basic emergency care – first aid and triage
c. Ventilations including use of bag-valve-masks (BVMs)
d. Choking, rescue breathing methods
e. One- and Two-rescuer CPR
f. Using an AED (Automated external defibrillator).
g. Managing an emergency including moving a patient
At the end of this topic, focus should be to teach the students to perform the maneuvers
in simulation lab and to test their skills with focus on airways management and chest
compressions. At the end of the foundation course, each student should be able to
perform and execute/operate on the above mentioned modalities.
3. Bio medical waste management and environment safety- The aim of this section will be
to help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment and the general public.
Topics to be covered under the subject are as follows:
a. Definition of Biomedical Waste
b. Waste minimization
4. Infection prevention and control - The objective of this section will be to provide a
broad understanding of the core subject areas of infection prevention and control and to
equip AHPs with the fundamental skills required to reduce the incidence of hospital
acquired infections and improve health outcomes. Concepts taught should include –
a. Evidence-based infection control principles and practices [such as sterilization,
disinfection, effective hand hygiene and use of Personal protective equipment
(PPE)],
b. Prevention & control of common healthcare associated infections,
c. Components of an effective infection control program, and
d. Guidelines (NABH and JCI) for Hospital Infection Control
5. Antibiotic Resistance-
a. History of Antibiotics
b. How Resistance Happens and Spreads
c. Types of resistance- Intrinsic, Acquired, Passive
d. Trends in Drug Resistance
e. Actions to Fight Resistance
f. Bacterial persistence
g. Antibiotic sensitivity
h. Consequences of antibiotic resistance
i. Antimicrobial Stewardship- Barriers and opportunities, Tools and models in
hospitals
6. Disaster preparedness and management- The objective of this section will be to provide
knowledge on the principles of on-site disaster management. Concepts to be taught
should include-
a. Fundamentals of emergency management,
b. Psychological impact management,
c. Resource management,
d. Preparedness and risk reduction,
e. Key response functions (including public health, logistics and governance,
recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction), information management, incident
command and institutional mechanisms.
The module on professionalism will deliver the concept of what it means to be a professional
and how a specialized profession is different from a usual vocation. It also explains how relevant
The objective of this module is to help the students understand the basic principles of research
and methods applied to draw inferences from the research findings.
1. Introduction to research methods
2. Identifying research problem
3. Ethical issues in research
4. Research design
5. Basic Concepts of Biostatistics
6. Types of Data
7. Research tools and Data collection methods
8. Sampling methods
9. Developing a research proposal
Principals of Management
The course is intended to provide a knowledge about the basic principles of Management.
1. Introduction to management
2. Strategic Management
3. Foundations of Planning
4. Planning Tools and Techniques
5. Decision Making, conflict and stress management
6. Managing Change and Innovation
7. Understanding Groups and Teams
8. Leadership
9. Time Management
10. Cost and efficiency
The objective of this particular section of the foundation course is to sensitize potential learners
with essential knowledge; this will lay a sound foundation for their learning across the under-
graduate program and across their career. Innovative teaching methods should be used to ensure
the attention of a student and make them more receptive such as group activities, interactive
fora, role plays, and clinical bed-side demonstrations. 30
Second Semester
Anatomy and Physiology of human body
Anatomy is a key component of all education programmes for OTTs and should have a strong
focus on organ position, orientation and relationships. The topics provide the student with an
understanding of the structure and relationships of the systems and organs of the body which is
essential in patient positioning and accurate delivery of intervention.
Similarly Physiology provides the students with knowledge of the function of systems and organs
and their relationships and underpins the understanding of how surgical intervention can modify
the function and structure of outcomes. Physiology is important to all programmes with
increased depth of content required where OTTs are being required to take a more active role in
side effect recognition and management. This may be in departments where OTTs are
increasingly taking some responsibility in this area or in resource constrained environments
where nursing or medical staff are limited.
1. Structure and function of cell; cell division; tissue: definition and classification (Gross
outline)
2. General Anatomical terms and topography of the body-planes regions, positions,
movements.
3. Skeleton & joints- Long bones, vertebrae, pelvic and shoulder girdles, hands and feet,
skull , face and teeth; parts of classical long bone; outline of different joints and type of
movements.
4. Muscles; Classification, structure and function (Gross outline)
5. Brain & spinal cord with its coverings and cavities including cerebrospinal fluids and
pituitary gland (Macroscopic anatomy and surface anatomy only)
6. Head & Neck; Oral cavity & lips, Pharynx, Larynx, Nasal Cavity and Para Nasal sinuses,
Salivary Glands, Ear; Orbit & its content; Thyroid Gland and Nodal Areas (Macroscopic
Anatomy only)
7. Thorax: Structure of Thoracic cage, Oesophagus, Trachea, Lungs & Pleura, The
Mediastinum including Thymus, Heart and Great Vessels and Diaphragm (Macroscopic
and Surface Anatomy)
8. Abdomen: Structure of Abdomen & Peritoneum, Retro Peritoneal structures (including
Kidney), Stomach, Small Intestine, Colon, Liver, Pancreas, Spleen (Macroscopic and
Surface Anatomy)
9. Pelvic and Perineum: Structure of Pelvis, Rectum & Anus, Bladder, Prostate, Female
Genital Tract, Male Genital Tract and Inguinal Femoral Region (Macroscopic and
surface Anatomy)
Biochemistry:
1. Carbohydrates - Glucose and Glycogen Metabolism
2. Proteins-Classification of proteins and functions
3. Lipids- Classification of lipids and functions
4. Enzymes- Definition, Nomenclature, Classification, Factors affecting enzyme activity,
Active site. Coenzyme, Enzyme Inhibition, Units of enzymes, Isoenzymes and Enzyme
pattern in diseases
5. Vitamins & Minerals- Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), water soluble vitamins, B-
complex vitamins, principal elements (Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium,
Potassium, Chlorine and Sulphur), trace elements, calorific value of foods, Basal
Metabolic Rate (BMR), Respiratory Quotient (RQ), Specific Dynamic Action (SDA),
balanced diet, Marasmus and Kwashiorkor
6. Acids and bases-Definition, pH, Henderson – Hassel Balch equation, Buffers, Indicators,
Normality, Molarity, Molality
7. Hormones
8. Applied Chemistry:
a. Nomenclature of compounds containing Halogen. Alcohols and Phenols. Ethane,
Propane, Ether, Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic acid, Cyanides, Isocyanides,
Nitrogen compounds and amines.
b. Catalysis.
c. Hemoglobin, Blood and respiration.
Principles of management
1. Principles of management:
a. Development of Management: Definitions of Management – Contributions of
F.W. Taylor, Henry Fayol and others.
b. Functions of Management: Planning – Organizing – Directing – Controlling
Planning: Types of planning – Short–term and long plans – Corporate or Strategic
Planning – Planning premises – Polices – Characteristics and sources – principles
of policy making – Strategies as different from policies – Procedures and
methods– Limitations of planning.
c. Organizing: Importance of organization – Hierarchy – Scalar chain –
Organization relationship – Line relationship – Staff relationship - Line staff
relationship – Functional relationship - Committee organization – Management
committees – Depart mentation.
d. Motivation: Motivation theories – McGregor’s theory X and theory Y – Maslow’s
and Herzberg’s theory – Porter and Lawler model of complex view of
motivation– Other theories – Diagnostic signs of motivational problems –
Motivational Techniques.
e. Communication: Types of communication – Barriers of effective
communication– Techniques for improved communication.
f. Directing: Principles relating to Direction process – Principles and theories of
leadership – Leadership Styles – Delegation of authority.
g. Controlling: Span of control – Factors limiting effective span of control – Supper
management, General managers, Middles managers and supervisors – Planning
and controlling relationships – Management control process – Corrective
measures– Strategic control points – Budgetary control – Types of budgets.
h. Co-ordination: Co-ordination and co-operation – Principles of co-ordination –
Techniques of co-ordination charts and records – Standard procedure
instructions.
2. Personnel management:
Objective of Personnel Management – Role of Personnel Manager in an organization –
Staffing and work distribution techniques – Job analysis and description – Recruitment
and selection processes – Orientation and training – Coaching and counselling –
disciplining – Complaints and grievances – Termination of employees – Performance
appraisal – Health and safety of employees - Consumer Protection Act as applicable to
health care services.
3. Financial management:
Definition of financial Management – Profit maximization – Return maximization–
wealth maximization – Short term Financing – Intermediate Financing – Long term
Financing – leasing as a source of Finance – cash and Security Management – Inventory
Management – Dividend policies – Valuations of Shares – Financial Management in a
hospital – Third party payments on behalf of patients. Insurance – health schemes and
policies.
Third Semester
Pathology:
1. Cellular adaptation and cell death
2. Inflammation and repair, infection, circulatory disorders, immune defense
3. Genetics of disease
4. Neoplasia
5. Cell injury and adaptation
6. Atrophy, hypertrophy, metaphase, hyperplasia
7. Classification of tumors, premalignant lesion
8. Types of inflammation & system manifestations of inflammation
9. Disorders of vascular flow & shock (brief introduction)
10. Oedema, hyperemia or congestion, thrombosis, embolism, infarction shock, ischemia,
over hydration, dehydration
11. The response to infection
12. Categories of infectious agents, host barriers to infection
13. How disease is caused
14. Inflammatory response to infectious agents
15. Hematopoietic and lymphoid System
16. Hemorrhage, various types of anemia, leucopenia, leukocytosis, bleeding disorders
coagulation mechanism.
Medicine:
1. Common symptoms of diseases –
a. Pain: pathophysiology, clinical types, assessment and management
b. Fever: clinical assessment and management
c. Cough, chest pain, dyspnoea, hemoptysis
d. Edema, anasarca, ascites
e. Pallor, jaundice
f. Bleeding
g. Anorexia, nausea and vomiting
h. Constipation and diarrhea
i. Hematemesis, malena and hematochezia
j. Common urinary symptoms- dysuria, pyuria, anuria, oliguria, polyuria, nocturia,
enuresis
k. Body pains and joint pains
l. Headache, seizures, fainting, syncope, dizziness, vertigo
m. Disturbances of consciousness and coma
n. Weight loss and weight gain
3. Systems
a. Cardiovascular system- Clinical examination of the cardiovascular system, major
manifestations of cardiovascular disease
b. Respiratory system - Clinical examination of the respiratory system, major
manifestations of respiratory disease
c. Renal and genito-urinary system- Major manifestations of renal and urinary tract
disease
d. Liver and biliary tract disease - Viral hepatitis, alcoholism.
e. Endocrinology and metabolism - Diabetes mellitus, Hyper - and hypothyroidism.
f. Disorders of the Immune System, Connective Tissue and Joints
g. Disorder of haemopoesis - Anemia - iron deficiencies anemia.
Principles of anesthesia
1. Medical gas supply
a. Compressed gas cylinders
b. Color coding
c. Cylinder valves; pin index.
d. Gas piping system
e. Recommendations for piping system
f. Alarms & safety devices.
g. Scavenging of waste anesthetic gases
2. Anesthesia machine
a. Hanger and yoke system
b. Cylinder pressure gauge
c. Pressure regulator
d. Flow meter assembly
e. Vaporizers - types, hazards, maintenance, filling and draining, etc.
3. Breathing system
a. General considerations: humidity & heat
b. Common components - connectors, adaptors, reservoir bags.
c. Capnography
d. Pulse oximetry
e. Methods of humidification.
f. Classification of breathing system
g. Mapleson system - a b c d e f
h. Jackson Rees system, Bain circuit
i. Non rebreathing valves - Ambu valves
j. The circle system
4. Face masks & Airway laryngoscopes
a. Types, sizes
b. Endotracheal tubes - Types, sizes.
c. Cuff system
Practical
1. Supply of compressed gases:
a. Types of gases and their chemical and physical properties.
b. Types of containers.
c. Their checking and maintenance.
d. Types of compressors.
e. Structure and mechanism of various type of gauges, liquid oxygen storage and
supply system.
2. Structure of reducing valves-
a. Mechanism of pressure reducing valves.
b. Their maintenance and safety checks
3. Structure and mechanism of flow meters, maintenance and safety checks
4. Volatile anaesthetic agents.
a. Selection of material to be used for containers of the volatile anaesthetic agents.
b. Structure of different types of vaporizers.
c. Principles of various vaporizers, their maintenance and safety precautions.
5. Types of circuits:
a. Open, Semi closed and closed circuits.
b. Non-rebreathing valves.
c. T-piece circuit and its modifications.
d. To and fro system and circle absorber.
6. Types of valves used in the different circuits. Structure and working of Heidbrink’s valve,
Rubin valve nu-man valve etc.
Fourth Semester
Clinical pharmacology
Clinical Microbiology
1. Morphology
a. Classification of microorganisms, size, shape and structure of bacteria. Use of
microscope in the study of bacteria.
Fifth Semester
Basics of surgical procedures
1. Blood Transfusion
a. History of discovery of blood groups and genetics of blood groups.
b. Types of blood groups and Rh factor.
c. Coombs test.
d. Collection of blood, its preservation and standardization.
e. Various types of blood and blood products(Packed cells, PRP, FFP)
f. Pre-transfusion checks.
g. Transfusion reactions.
h. Fluids and electrolytes
i. Body fluid compartments and the effect of fluid administration on them.
j. Types of fluids (crystalloids and colloids) and their chemical composition.
k. Indications of specific fluids and their complications.
2. General surgical procedure and para-surgical equipment
a. Operating tables: structure, material used, maintenance, control, Hydraulic system
and Electrical system.
b. Different types of diathermy machine. Monopole, Bipolar, Ligasure, Harmonic
Scalpel, CUSA- Principle, hazards, prevention, functioning and maintenance.
c. Types of operation lights and light sources: Features, Care, cleaning, sterilization
and maintenance.
d. Operation Theatre sterilization- Different recent advances.
e. LAR/APR--Positioning of patient, care-Prevention of hazards.
f. Total thyroidectomy—with emphasis on proper positioning.
g. Transthoracic esophagectomy—Different approaches.
h. Venesection and Tracheostomy.
i. Laproscopic Cholecystectomy – Pneumoperitonium - Creation and removing,
principles.
j. Nephrectomy.
k. Breast surgery.
l. Positioning of patient for different operations: Problems and hazards.
m. Hypothermia and hyperthermia.
CSSD procedures
1. Heart as a pump.
2. Cardiac cycle.
3. Cardiac contractility and stroke volume.
4. Cardiac output and its measurement.
5. Various ECG Leads, their placement and Normal ECG.
6. Cardiac Arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, extra systoles)
7. Circulatory shock and its physiology.
8. Cardiac failure.
9. Physics of blood flow and pressure.
10. Measurement of blood flow.
11. Electromagnetic flow meter, ultrasonic flow meter, plethysmography.
12. Regulation of arterial pressure and hypertension (Drugs used for treatment of
hypertension)
13. Arterial circulation including cardiopulmonary bypass.
14. Artificial ventilation and related equipment:
a. Physiology of IPPV (Intermittent positive pressure ventilation)
b. Principles of mechanical ventilation.
c. Various modes of IPPV.
d. Automatic pressure and time cycled ventilators.
e. Operating room ventilators.
f. Other types of ventilators (HFJV, NIV)
g. Complications in patients on ventilators.
h. General care of a patient on ventilator.
i. Disinfection and sterilization of ventilators.
j. Humidification
k. Principles of oxygen administration and methods used to deliver oxygen.
l. Acid base balance.
m. Electrolyte imbalance and its relevance to anesthesia.
Sixth Semester
The internship time period provides the students the opportunity to continue to develop
confidence and increased skill in simulation and treatment delivery. Students will demonstrate
competence in beginning, intermediate, and advanced procedures in both areas. Students will
participate in advanced and specialized treatment procedures. The student will complete the
clinical training by practicing all the skills learned in classroom and clinical instruction. The
students are expected to work for minimum 8 hours per day and this may be more depending on
the need and the healthcare setting.
Level 4- OT Assistant
1. JOB TITLE - Operation Theatre Assistant
2. JOB PURPOSE
Assisting team in pre-operative arrangements.
Assisting during intra-operative with surgeons &
anesthesiologist.
Assisting team post-operative.
Maintenance of machines.
3. ACCOUNTABLE TO - HOD- Anesthesia Department / Senior OT Technologist/ OT
Technologist
4. QUALIFICATION - Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology (2 years)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for the transportation of patients to and from the theatre and wards
Assist staff with the mobilization of the patient within the Operation Theatre
Assist with patient procedures as required
Maintain procedure room/operating theatre equipment so as to ensure a clean, safe and
efficient environment for patients and staff
Assist in the preparation of patient prior to surgery, e.g. pre-operative shave, patient
positioning.
Ensure that the patient is positioned securely and safely on the operating table prior to
surgery and on the patient trolley at the completion of surgery
Provide assistance to medical and nursing staff
Promote patient safety at all the times
Assist in other areas within the theatre complex as workload permits
Maintain good communications with other staff in the theatre complex
Maintain patient confidentiality at all the times
Be familiar with the correct operation of all equipment
Collect and return all necessary equipment for the procedure and patient safety
Report malfunctioning equipment to person as per protocol
Follow the hospital’s Health and Safety policies and procedures
Be aware of the OH&S guidelines for the safe transport of beds and patients throughout
the hospital
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supporting the multidisciplinary team in providing a safe, high quality environment for the
carrying out of surgical procedures by:
Assisting in skin preparation and draping of the surgical field.
Supporting and observing the patient throughout the operation.
Assisting in the measurement and recording of fluid input / output.
Working as part of the multidisciplinary team for the benefit of the patient, appreciating
each member of the team’s needs and role.
Anticipating the needs of the surgical team and responding effectively.
Safely handling, recording and used instruments in line with Policy.
Disposing of clinical waste safely and appropriately in line with Policy.
Capturing and maintaining patient data / documentation and any information required for
auditing / quality issues. Documentation will be countersigned by the Registered
Practitioner.
Utilizing communication skills, preparing the environment and equipment and acting as a
link between the surgical team and other parts of the theatre and hospital.
Assisting the Registered Practitioner in the handover of the patient to the recovery staff,
providing appropriate information and documentation.
Notifies appropriate health physicians when immediate clinical response is necessary based
on emergency in Operation Theater.
Involvement in research and development.
The above mentioned groups account for over 44 job profiles in the allied and healthcare space,
which are as follows-
A. Healthcare Professions
1. Optometry
a. Optometrist
2. Physiotherapy
a. Physiotherapist
3. Occupational Therapy
a. Occupational Therapist
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32 Curriculum for B.Sc. Degree in Operation Theatre & Anesthesia Technology, Punjab Medical Faculty
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35 B.Sc. Operation Theatre & Anesthesia Technology- course overview, MGM School of Biomedical Sciences,
National Initiative for Allied Health Sciences – Technical Support Unit (NIAHS –
TSU)
1. Ms Kavita Narayan, FACHE, Director, NIAHS-TSU at MoHFW, GoI
2. Ms Shivangini Kar Dave , Project Lead Coordinator
3. Ms Natasha D'Lima, Program Coordinator
4. Ms Namita Gupta, Consultant
5. Mr Sutirtha Mazumder, Senior Research Assistant
6. Mr Ashish Arora, Senior Research Assistant (former)
7. Ms Tanu Sri Sahu, Senior Research Assistant
8. Mr Akhilendra Trivedi, Senior Research Assistant
9. Mr Vivek Bhatnagar, Senior Research Assistant
10. Mr Anirooddha Mukherjee, Research Assistant
2. NIAHS TSU,
Facilitation Centre, Near Gate No 5,
Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi 110001.
Phone: 011-23061751, Email: [email protected]