Perioperative Practice Major - Bachelor of Health Science
Want to become an anaesthetic technician and care for patients throughout their surgical journey? Study the Perioperative Practice major in the Bachelor of Health Science, with flexible distance learning options.
Interested in a career in the perioperative environment? Surgery is often a significant step in a patient's journey back to health and wellbeing. As a perioperative practitioner, you'll become an essential member of the healthcare team, supporting patients before, during and after surgery. From anaesthesia and intraoperative care through to recovery, you'll play a vital role in ensuring safe, high-quality patient care at a time when it matters most.
You can study course content online from anywhere in New Zealand and gain valuable clinical experience through placements with our network of hospital providers. While we aim to place students as close as possible to their preferred location, some travel and on-campus attendance will be required. As a graduate of this programme, you can apply for registration as an anaesthetic technician with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. You'll learn from experienced anaesthetic technicians, anaesthetists, nurses, midwives and other healthcare specialists. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and clinical placements across a range of perioperative settings and specialties, the Perioperative Practice major prepares you for a rewarding and lifelong career in healthcare.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Health Science.
Download programme guides
The Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice prepares you for a rewarding career supporting patients before, during, and after surgical and procedural interventions. You'll develop essential clinical skills including patient assessment, airway management, physiological monitoring, and perioperative care, while learning to work collaboratively within fast-paced healthcare teams.
Learning is dynamic and will include classroom-based, online and self-directed learning, as well as reflective practice. Clinical practice and simulation-based learning are important aspects of this major.
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL609 Integrated Human Body Systems (15 points)
- PARA601 Pathology and Pathophysiology (15 points)
- ANAE606 Foundations in Perioperative Practice (30 points)
Year 2
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice (15 points)
- ANAE603 Anaesthetic and Perioperative Practice I (30 points) #
Semester 2 courses
- ANAE604 Fundamentals of Surgery (15 points) #
- ANAE605 Haemodynamics in Perioperative Practice (15 points)
- ANAE701 Anaesthetic and Perioperative Practice II (15 points) #
- ANAE704 Cardiology in Perioperative Practice (15 points)
Year 3
Semester 1 courses
- ANAE702 Anaesthetic and Perioperative Practice III (30 points) #
- ANAE705 Advanced Resuscitation in Perioperative Practice (15 points) #
- PARA704 Clinical Risk Reduction (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
- ANAE703 Anaesthetic and Perioperative Practice IV (30 points) #
- ANAE706 Clinical Reasoning in Perioperative Practice (15 points)
# Contains a clinical practice element.
Workplace experience (clinical placements)
As part of this programme, you complete 1,200 hours of clinical placements in designated services. Clinical placement opportunities exist throughout New Zealand, and we'll do our best to place you in your preferred location. However, you must be prepared and able to undertake placements anywhere in New Zealand to meet clinical requirements. While undertaking clinical placements, you'll need to cover your own travel, parking and accommodation costs.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Study planner for this programme
Download our study planner to see what your studies could look like in the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice.
Perioperative Practice study planner
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
Who can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
You may be eligible if you're:
- Currently practising as a registered nurse or paramedic and you completed your nursing or paramedicine degree from a NZ university
- Currently practising as a registered anaesthetic technician
- About to graduate with your AUT paramedicine degree
You may be able to cross-credit your previous study and add a qualification in perioperative practice in a shorter timeframe, offering you maximum flexibility and two career pathways within the health sector.
Find out more
Several employers offer scholarships to support students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice.
To find out which scholarships are currently available for perioperative practice students, visit the AUT Scholarship database and search for 'perioperative practice'.
Alternatively, you can also email your scholarship enquiry to periprac@aut.ac.nz
Perioperative practice describes the care which is provided to patients during their journey through the operating theatre department as they undergo their surgical operation. This includes anaesthetic care, surgical care and post-anaesthetic care.
When a patient needs an operation there are times when they are required to be unconscious. There are other times when a patient would like to be fully aware, just not in pain. Both of these scenarios are examples of requiring anaesthetic care.
Surgical care is the care provided during the surgical procedure by the whole operating theatre team to ensure the patient is well cared for during a time of vulnerability.
Post-anaesthetic care, is the immediate time after the surgical operation, whereby the patient recovers or wakes up from their anaesthetic.
Throughout this journey, the patient requires a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable health professionals. Anaesthetic technicians are one of these health professions, and they work alongside doctors and nurses to deliver these high standards of anaesthetic and perioperative care.
Responsibilities of an anaesthetic technician
Anaesthetic technicians are highly skilled healthcare practitioners who work as part of the multidisciplinary perioperative team to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care throughout their surgical journey. Their responsibilities may include:
- Supporting anaesthetists to provide safe and effective anaesthetic care before, during and after procedures
- Preparing, checking and maintaining specialised anaesthetic, airway management and life-support equipment
- Assisting with airway management, vascular access, regional anaesthesia and other anaesthetic procedures
- Monitoring patients during anaesthesia
- Contributing to patient safety through equipment checks, clinical documentation and adherence to best-practice standards
- Working collaboratively with a team of healthcare professionals to achieve the best possible patient outcomes
- Supporting patients in the immediate post-anaesthetic period as they recover from surgery and anaesthesia
Where you could work
- District Health Boards (DHBs)
- Private hospital organisations
There are excellent career progression opportunities for anaesthetic technicians, including moving into management, education or advanced clinical roles such as resuscitation teams.
Professional registration
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand, and on registration will have the protected title of registered anaesthetic technician.
Fantastic employment opportunities
Anaesthetic technicians are a valued role within the operating theatre. With a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice you’ll be highly employable nationally. Starting salaries for anaesthetic technicians range from approximately $70,000, commensurate with experience.
Other undergraduate study options
Majors in this degree
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Paramedicine
- Psychology
- Public and Environmental Health
- No major (tailor the degree to your interests and career goals)
Other health science degrees
Postgraduate study options
- Only New Zealand degree that enables graduates to apply to register as an anaesthetic technician
- Excellent employment opportunities in this field
- Prepares you for registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
- Offered at the AUT South Campus, with online learning options
- Two intakes a year: start in Feb or July
- Capable of relating to a diverse range of people
- Self-assured, confident, trustworthy and ethical
- Having effective communication skills
- Physically fit and able to deal with long shifts
- Motivated, resilient and realistic
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
