Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Responsibilities

• Administers anesthesia to safely achieve the desired end-point of any anesthetic – patient comfort and surgical working conditions with minimal physiologic trespass.
• Adheres strictly to established practices of preparing the patient and administering anesthetic.
• Safely and properly practices technical skills including, but not limited to: airway management including endotracheal intubation with or without machine controlled ventilation.
• Placement of intravenous therapy and monitoring lines, placement of intra-arterial monitoring lines and establishment of regional anesthesia with various nerve blocking techniques.
• Checks patient identification and positions patient on operating table according to established guidelines for type of procedure to be performed.
• Studies physical findings of preoperational examination to determine probable effects of anesthetic on patient.
• Develops a professional relationship and supports all staff in order to enhance patient care and efficient clinical operations, acting as a role model for nursing support staff.
• Absides by the policies and procedures of the practice and the Hospital.
• Uses administrative skills to direct the activities of the technical support people assigned by the Hospital to the anesthesia section.
• Orders supplies, inventory control, stocks of individual anesthetizing locations, maintains equipment, and maintains anesthesia activity log.
• Anesthesia care includes the assessment of patient history, physical exam and laboratory studies, selecting the appropriate technical and pharmacological anesthetic approach.
• Ascertains that blood for proper types is available for emergency use.
• Takes patient’s blood pressure, respiration and pulse.
• Explains procedure to patient to secure cooperation and bolster confidence.
• Inserts arterial catheters, lumbar epidural catheters.
• Administers spinal anesthesia as required.
• Is familiar with and adheres to the Policy and Procedure Manual of the Anesthesia Service and the By-laws of the Medical Staff.
• Maintains patient in surgical anesthetic state, adjusting oxygen and gas flow and keeps air tubes in position as necessary or injects prescribed intravenous anesthetic.
• Participates in quality assurance and peer review activities as directed by the Medical Care Review Committee, The Executive Committee of the Medical Staff or otherwise.
• Participates with representatives of other departments in the formulation of mechanisms to provide uniform quality of anesthesia services throughout the Hospital.
• Performs the following anesthesia: Obstetric, Ortho, Pediatric, Trauma, General and Outpatient surgeries.
• Performs under stressful conditions and reacts quickly, efficiently and effectively when patient under surgery shows adverse symptoms.
• Periodically takes patient’s blood pressure, respiration and pulse.
• Watches for significant physical changes, such as dilation of pupils and change in skin color.
• Keeps surgeon informed of patient’s condition.
• Possesses interpersonal skills to relate effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing staff and patients in demanding and stressful situations.
• Records on the patient’s chart the condition of patient prior to, during and following administration of anesthetic and type of anesthetic used.
• Submits postoperative report on patient’s condition when effects of anesthetics have worn off.
• Maintains records of each anesthetic administered.
• Takes necessary remedial action, such as aspiration of throat and administration of oxygen, to prevent asphyxiation, strangulation or surgical shock.
• Uses cognitive skills to carry out the following: interpretation of monitored parameters, employment of appropriate on-line corrections and adjustments.

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing plus graduation from an accredited School of Nurse Anesthesiology.
• Certification as an unrestricted Registered Nurse Anesthetist by AANA and State of Vermont licensure.
• Experience Requirements: Comfortable with independent practice. Comfortable with regional anesthesia, and ultrasound guided blocks. Experience Desired: One to five years experience in direct, independent anesthesia care preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications Required: AANA Certification (NBCRNA) and Licensed by the Vermont Board of Nursing. Currently registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Current Vermont licensure in good standing with no restrictions or stipulations.
• Licenses and Certifications Desired: American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, PALS.
• Skills: General Anesthesia Regional Anesthesia Labor Analgesia Emergency Intubation Intensive Care Support/Management/Stabilization for transfer Ultrasound Guided regional Blocks.