What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Anesthesia Assistant (CAA) position at Northside Hospital Inc.?
Overview
Northside Hospital is award-winning, state-of-the-art, and continually growing. Constantly expanding the quality and reach of our care to our patients and communities creates even more opportunity for the best healthcare professionals in Atlanta and beyond. Discover all the possibilities of a career at Northside today.
Responsibilities
Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are highly skilled health professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. CAAs work exclusively within the anesthesia care team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). All CAAs possess a premedical background, a baccalaureate degree, and also complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school level. CAAs are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. The goal of CAA education is to guide the transformation of qualified student applicants into competent health care practitioners who aspire to practice in the anesthesia care team.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides high quality CAA services under supervision and direction of the sponsoring physician(s) to patients in the hospital.
Specific to anesthesiology, the following duties are performed:
Administration of anesthesia under the direction of an anesthesiologist.
Performance of initial acute cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in life threatening situations as directed by a physician.
Establishment of multi-parameter monitoring of patients prior to, during, and after anesthesia, or in other acute care situations. This includes EKG, direct arterial pressure, central venous pressure, arterial blood gas determinations, and hematocrits, in addition to the routine measurement of temperature, respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate. Also, other monitoring as may be developed for anesthesia and intensive care use will be incorporated.
Management of pre- and post-anesthetic care, including ventilator support of patients as assigned by an anesthesiologist.
Management of ventilators and other respiratory care, and parameters as directed by the physician.
Assist in research projects as carried out by an anesthesiologist.
Instructs others in principles and practices of anesthesia, respiratory care, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as directly by the anesthesiologist.
Assistance of the anesthesiologist in gathering routine pre-operative data.
The choices of anesthesia and drugs to be employed are described by an anesthesiologist for each patient except:
Where standard orders for the conduct of a specific anesthetic are described.
Where life-threatening emergencies arise necessitating the utilization of standard therapeutics or resuscitation procedures; an anesthesiologist will be immediately available personally or via telephone and/or beeper in case of need for consultation regarding changes from standard procedures.
Participates in the management of acute and chronic pain therapy as described by the anesthesiologist.
CAA’s will be assigned work schedules in coordination with the CRNAs to assure adequate staff availability during all shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. At least one CRNA or CAA and one anesthesiologist will be present in the institution at all times.
All patients will have a pre-anesthetic evaluation completed and signed by an anesthesiologist. CAA’s are to interview their patient, review the pre-anesthetic evaluation, laboratory results, EKG and x-ray reports, and other pertinent information available in the patient’s chart prior to the induction of anesthesia.
CAA’s may administer all types of anesthesia as provided by the rules and laws of the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners with the exception of caudal, epidural or spinal anesthesia. Choice of agent and technique should be discussed with the responsible anesthesiologist.
Communicates with other physicians as needed to include verbal and written communication.
Serves as a liaison for communication between patients, families, nursing staff, physicians, and ancillary services and managed care/insurance companies.
Reports to the sponsoring physician for clinical oversight. The sponsoring physician, or his/her designee, must always be available to the CAA in the Anesthesia Department. If the sponsoring physician will be out of town or otherwise unavailable, he/she must designate an on-call physician to be responsible for continuing care of the physician’s patients. Supervision of a CAA by an on-call physician will be subject to any limitations then applicable under regulations of the Composite State Board.
Participates and functions as needed with the medical staff in department meetings and committee assignments.
Maintains a current and unrestricted certification from National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiology Assistants.
Attains and maintains current BCLS certification.
Complies with all laws, regulations, and hospital bylaws, licensure requirements and ethical standards as they pertain to the practice of medicine.
Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Immediately reports any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee/patient/visitor injury-accident to Manager of Unit or Department where safety issue is noted.
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED
Holds current active state licensure as an Anesthesiologist Assistant in the state of Georgia and complies with any applicable state statutory and regulatory requirements concerning CAA’s.
Graduate of a Master’s degree in Anesthesia
Currently certified by National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
Insurable by an appropriate medical malpractice insurer for the limits required by this institution or state.
Demonstrates current competency in the clinical responsibilities.
Ability to perform clinically as a nurse anesthetist in the facility setting on a regular basis.
Ability to operate, use, and interpret data from a wide variety of equipment to perform anesthesia care as well as necessary perioperative or operating room care to support the safety and wellbeing of the patient while they are under the direct care of the CAA.
Effective verbal and written communication skills are required to effectively collaborate with various clinical staff and other disciplines.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
Knowledge of infection prevention and control techniques.
Ability to maintain confidential records.
Ability to implement and adhere to facility policies and procedures.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION PREFERRED
One (1) year experience
Certified by National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
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