CRNA

Full-time and/or Part--Time CRNA - Nurse Anesthetist - rotating work schedule per surgery department needs.  Full time benefits include: IPERS, Health, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability.  

The Nurse Anesthetist will administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthetist may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other physicians.

Developed/ Revised by:                

Department

Approved by:                                  

Approval date:                                

Position Title:  Nurse Anesthetist – Certified Nurse Anesthetist

Department:  Surgery

JOB RELATIONSHIPS: 

Responsible to:           Chief Nursing Officer

Supervises:                 None

Interrelationships:     All clinical areas, staff and physicians, business leaders/employers, patients and families. 

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Nurse Anesthetist will administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthetist may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other physicians.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Manages patient’s airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation and extubating, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, and respiratory therapy.
• Selects, prepares, or uses equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.
• Selects, orders, and administers anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products.
• Performs pre-anesthetic screenings including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and documents results. Monitors patient’s responses including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
• Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
• Develops anesthesia care plans.
• Obtains informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.
• Assess patient’s medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
• Performs and evaluates the results of diagnostic tests such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Performs or manages regional anesthetic techniques such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.
• Evaluates patients post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses, taking appropriate corrective actions or requesting consultation if complications occur. Administers post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patient’s cardiovascular systems.
• Discharges patients from post-anesthesia care.
• Reads literature, talks with colleagues, and participates in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.

• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Completes other tasks and attends meetings as assigned. 

• Supports the Compliance & Safety Program, Implements and follows the associated policies and procedures as they apply in their work environment.
• Regular and timely attendance is an essential function of this position. 
• Must have ability to work well with others in a team.
• Essential functions are included in this section, but there may be additional delegated duties within the scope of practice.
• Annually manages and reviews policies and procedures for anesthesia department.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:      Master’s degree in nursing with specific emphasis on anesthesia required. Licensed personnel must maintain and provide HCMH with proof of current licensure or certification.

Licensure:       Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist licensure in Iowa or eligible for licensure in Iowa 

Valid driver’s license

CPR certification for Health Care Providers (or equivalent) 

ACLS

PALS

Experience:      At least two years of related experience required.

Skills/Abilities: 

• General knowledge of medical terminology.
• Advanced understanding of anesthesia and other critical nursing skills.
• Demonstrated patient care skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function both independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals. 
• Advanced knowledge of pharmacology, especially as appropriate to specialty area. High level of skill in utilizing appropriate oral and written communication with clients, physicians, nursing staff and community members. 
• Expert skill in diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families or communities, including but not limited to interviewing and counseling clients and delegating/assigning duties to others. 
• Proficient skill in the application of nursing techniques, procedures and instruments according to recognized policies. 
• Demonstrated evidence of considerable ability to exercise independent judgment and to formulate clinical decisions to manage acute and chronic diseases.
• Ability to evaluate critically and think creatively 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (includes but not limited to): 

• Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and reading information from printed sources and computer screens. 
• Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds unassisted, including assisting patients when required. 
• Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual dexterity to perform the requisite health care services. 
• Exerting up to 50 to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly
• Transferring patients to and from various surfaces and equipment.
• Pushing patients in wheelchairs and gurneys
• Lifting and carrying of patient care equipment.
• Handling of patient care supplies and equipment

MENTAL DEMANDS: (varies from rotation to rotation)

• Heavy concentration nearly constant and involves pre-planning and a high degree of organization

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Moderate temperature and humidity, vapors and fumes occasionally
• Frequent handling of medical equipment.
• Frequent patient contact with potential for frequent exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
• Frequent computer use.
• Rotating work schedule.
• Occasional handling of toxic materials.
• Frequent handling of needles, syringes and other medical equipment.
• Frequent handling of controlled substances.
• Frequent monitor use on Telemetry.

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Nitrile gloves, goggles, face shields, protective gowns, masks.