Certified Anesthesia Assistant

Location: UNC Health Rex Surgery Center

Status: Full-time, Exempt

About the role

The Certified Anesthesia Assistant manages all anesthetics with encouraged and supported autonomy, while practicing in an ACT setting. The incumbent CAA will use high patient acuity allowing the new and/or experienced CAA to fully implement their clinical skills and education, and continue to expand within any area of expertise that may be desired.

This role may work at one or more of the following locations:

• Rex Surgery Center of Cary in the Cary/Raleigh area. Cases are general outpatient procedures with a focus on orthopedic, ENT, urology, and pediatrics.
• WakeMed Surgery Center - Cary. A brand new state-of-the-art surgery center with the highest safety standards in the state. This facility performs general, urology, gynecology, podiatry, and orthopedic cases. The site offers 1 operating room and 3 procedure rooms.
• Ortho NC ASC, the furthest north of all ASCs, where CAAs focus mainly on orthopedic procedures.
• WakeMed North Raleigh Surgery Center, attached directly to the WakeMed North Hospital campus. This location is a brand new surgery center that focuses on a wide variety of cases including but not limited to general surgery, orthopedic, ENT, gynecology, urology, and healthy pediatrics.

Responsibilities

• Examine patients’ history for allergies or illnesses that would affect anesthesia.
• Evaluate and prepare patients, provide education about surgeries/procedures and recovery, and discuss possible side effects.
• Liaise with other members of the healthcare team such as MDs, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
• Determine appropriate amount, type, and method of anesthesia administration.
• Perform anesthetics; administer medication to patients for pain relief.
• Supervise and assist other CAAs.
• Oversee recovery and pain management of patients.
• Inform patients of post-surgical and pain management procedures.
• Assist in patient procedure preparation.
• Provide support to other healthcare teams.
• Advise patients on medication type and dosage.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a Certified Anesthesia Assistant with a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Must possess a North Carolina state license.
• BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications required.

Skills

• Ability to provide safe pre- and post-anesthetic care using innovative and proven techniques.
• Ability to assess patients’ medical history and plan anesthesia administration for the best outcome.
• High patient acuity with the ability to provide compassionate care to every patient.
• Ability to work in a team, but also autonomously when needed.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly under pressure.
• Proficient with technology including medical equipment and computers.
• Maintain a friendly, collaborative attitude and professional demeanor at all times.

Work Environment

• Must have the ability to stand for longer periods of time and be accustomed to frequent and prolonged movement.
• Involves frequent contact with patients, physicians, leadership, facility, and medical office staff.
• Ability to perform work in a hospital where the environment may be stressful and often disruptive.