Anesthesia Technician 40 Hrs 3p -11p

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Anesthesia Technician assists the anesthesia team prior to, during, and following patient procedures in various Operating rooms across St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Individuals in this position are proficient in the maintenance and restocking of anesthesia supplies and equipment in the operating room, and when available, responds to codes with anesthesia.

The Anesthesia Technician checks and supplies anesthesia carts and machines, checks, and replaces anesthesia gas tanks, disassembles used anesthesia equipment, disinfects machines and supply carts, replaces used products and supplies transducers for invasive hemodynamic monitoring. This position has significant patient contact while assisting in transport and procedures. This position works collaboratively with Anesthesia, Nursing staff, and off-site resources. In addition, the incumbent assists with the preparation of anesthesia supplies both preoperatively and post operatively by cleaning, maintaining, ordering, and inventorying of anesthesia supplies.
Participates as the primary assistant to Anesthesia for procedures in the Operating Room at various locations across St. Elizabeth Medical Center including but not limited to Endo, Labor, and Delivery, PACU.

Position: Anesthesia Technician

Department: Operating Room

Schedule: Full Time, 40, Hours, 3p -11p

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Preoperative:

• Ensure anesthesia carts are supplied and machines are in each room prior to the beginning of the surgery schedule and between procedures. Checks and replaces anesthesia gas tanks as needed.

• Retrieve special anesthesia supplies that are anticipated and/or requested by the person administering the anesthetic before and during surgery.

• Assists in the preparation of complex equipment and supplies for hemodynamic monitoring. This varies based on location and may include peripheral arterial and pulmonary artery catheter transducers, EKG, pulse oximeter, and nerve simulators.

• Ensures monitoring equipment and supplies are ready.

• Ensures the anesthesia machine is ready for use including troubleshooting and correcting problems. May perform daily anesthesia equipment inspections including suction, electrical plugs, gas connections, oxygen, and nitrous oxide cylinders.

• May assist in positioning patients for procedures.

• Intraoperative:

• Assures equipment for delivering salvaged and banked blood products with Cell Saver or Rapid infuser are readily available when needed.

• Assist in positioning the patient for spinal anesthesia.

• Assist in dressing and securing IVs and Arterial lines.

• Assist Anesthesia during intubating and extubating procedures as directed.

• Restock all used supplies as needed during a surgery.

• Dispose of contaminated materials and disinfect equipment in accordance with general operating room policies and procedures concerning biohazardous waste.

• Make frequent Rounds in the Operating Room and outside locations following each procedure.

• Postoperative:

• Clean anesthesia equipment in the Operating Room and outside locations following each procedure.

• Clean, maintain, and package used anesthesia materials and equipment.

• Inventories and orders anesthesia supplies.

• Run errands as requested by anesthesiologists/CRNAs/charge RN/other team members as appropriate to facilitate the preparation and conduct of anesthesia. Perform additional duties as requested by other team members.

• Trouble shoot broken equipment and if necessary notifies clinical engineering.

Other Duties:

• Assist Anesthesia during emergencies and code blue procedures as instructed.

• Assists with required standards for quarterly maintenance of anesthesia equipment as directed by Supervisor.

• Maintains IV solution/supplies per par levels in all peri-operative & procedure areas.

• Disinfects and maintains all bronchoscopes used during intubations by following correct terminal cleaning procedures.

• Changes soda lime canisters as needed; Assures that all biohazard material is handled and disposed of properly utilizing universal precautions.

• Utilizes opportunities for teaching of team members.

• Assures that equipment and supplies are utilized at appropriate levels and returned to their proper location after use.

• Assist in surgical suite cleaning process to reduce turnover time when appropriate.

• Assures immediate availability of the difficult airway cart. Validates contents daily to assure par stock levels are available.

• Promotes that HANDWASHING, in particular, is the single most important technique to reduce cross-contamination.

• Ensures disinfectants are used in proper concentration. Understands disinfectants must remain in contact with all surfaces for a specific period to allow penetration of all microbial cell walls and deactivation.

• Many tasks require job knowledge or response to physician/patient needs, therefore, authority to respond to anesthesia staff needs within the framework of the technician responsibilities is given.

• All information relative to job or duties are transmitted to senior/supervising staff in a timely manner.

Reporting Requirements:

• Report potential impacts to patient safety to anesthesia staff, lead technician, OR Nurse manager or Vice-President of Perioperative Services.

• Notify appropriate staff of changes and events in surgical area that affect the regular

O.R. scheduling.

• Remove and report all malfunctioning equipment to chief / senior technician.

• Acting in the best interest of the institution and the patients under it's care, employee will report any violation(s) to patient and fellow employee(s) safety and rights.

• Technicians are accountable to anesthesia staff, residents, OR nurse manager, and supervising personnel to carry out all tasks assigned within the framework of their duties, and communicate all essential information in a timely manner.

• Highly organized with attention to detail, capable of working independently, excellent interpersonal skills, adaptable and able to respond quickly and adequately to constant change.

• Minimum high school graduate or equivalent, current BLS certification required. Graduate anesthesia technology program preferred

• Minimum one year anesthesia tech experience in multi-disciplined OR in acute care hospital setting preferred, or one year in critical care or stepdown unit as CNA.

• Strong follow through and understanding of the principle of universal precautions. Strong mechanical skills required

• Physical demand, vision, and work environment requirements attached

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans