CRNA

This position provides anesthetic care for all types of patients and procedures in cooperation with the supervising or medically directing physician and in accordance with hospital policies and procedures. This position administers anesthesia to patients rendering them insensitive to pain during surgery/procedures. Provide continuous vigilant observation of patients by monitoring the patient’s physical reaction to sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetic agents and informs the surgeon/anesthesiologist of any adverse condition that potentially threatens the safety or care of the patient.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of West Virginia, or applicable state where services will be performed.
2. Board certified or recertified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Maintains Patient safety at all times.
2. Maintains excellence in airway management and shall be familiar in the usage of all airway adjuncts. i.e., bullard, fiberoptic scope, ILMA, etc.
3. CRNAs shall work within their scope of delineated clinical privileges.
4. Takes appropriate precautions to minimize risks of infection of patients, and other health care professionals.
5. Maintains the appropriate confidentiality of patient information at all times.
6. Participates in the pre-anesthetic evaluation of the patients and the selection of anesthetic agents and techniques.
7. Performs appropriate techniques of the anesthetic plan such as, but not limited to, insertion of intravenous catheters, insertion of invasive monitoring catheters according to established protocol; endotracheal intubation and extubation; performing arterial punctures for interpretation of arterial blood gases.
8. Monitors the patient’s physical response to the anesthetic and informs the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist of any adverse condition. Manage the anesthesia process to include induction, maintenance, and emergence of general, regional, and monitored anesthesia cases. Recognize abnormal patient responses to anesthesia or to any adjunctive medication or form of therapy. Initiate corrective measures. Determine the need for additional laboratory tests and provide resuscitative care as necessary. Evaluate and manage the patient in the immediate post-operative period.
9. Administers IV fluids relative to the patient’s medical history and surgical procedure. Administer blood products after obtaining a hematocrit and then consultation with the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist.
10. Documents the patient status in the anesthesia record appropriately.
11. Performs all required safety and performance checks on anesthesia-related equipment and verify the appropriate supplies before initiating care. Procure and assemble equipment and supplies as indicated if anesthesia tech is not available.
12. Reviews appropriate documentation for informed consent and identify appropriate surgical site during SBAR with circulating RN and holding room RN. Participates in surgical pause in the OR with entire surgical team in accordance with departmental and regulatory compliance standards.
13. Communicates appropriately with all individuals involved in the peri-operative and post-operative care of the patient.
14. In a life-threatening emergency, functions responsibly by providing anesthesia care in the absence of an anesthesiologist.
15. Assists with the teaching and evaluation of newly-hired CRNAs, GRNAs, SRNAs in the clinical area.
16. Assumes responsibility and is accountable for controlled substances according to department and hospital policy and State and federal guidelines.
17. Maintains a level of professionalism at all times