Certified Nurse Anesthetist

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Duties and responsibilities

• Performs pre-anesthesia evaluations, prepares anesthesia plan, delivers all forms of anesthesia, and follows up on all general anesthesia cases.
• Provides emergency airway and resuscitation management throughout the facility.
• Assists with quality assurance activities facility-wide and specific to the Surgery department and conducts routine maintenance and cleaning of anesthesia equipment.
• Translates the principles of professional nurse anesthesia practice into appropriate patient care.
• Performs the pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, including the collection of preoperative consults and data, from which an appropriate anesthetic plan is formulated.
• Ensures the anesthetic risks, benefits, and options are described to the patient.
• Administers inhalation, regional, intravenous, local and topical anesthetics and continuously evaluates the patient's physical status and responses to anesthesia.
• Consistently monitors and accurately records on the anesthesia record.
• Performs post-anesthetic management of patients to optimize the recovery from anesthesia and minimize pain.
• Provides patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession, while working effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
• Appropriately responds to all codes and airway rescues.
• Practices with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care while demonstrating effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Qualifications

• Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist)
• Education: Masters or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia from a school of professional nursing anesthesia accredited by COA at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Licensure and Certification: Full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNA or equivalent, in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia, and full and current certification by NBCRNA or an equivalent Nurse Anesthetist certification recognized by COA.
• Experience: One year of specialized APN (CNA) experience equivalent to the APN (CNA) II grade level.