Anesthesia Tech

General Summary of Position Assists the anesthesia provider. Prepares operating rooms for surgery. Provides technical services and assists in operating room, emergency room, and other departments as assigned.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations. Assists the anesthesia provider in preparing patients for anesthesia. Thoroughly cleans anesthesia gas machines and ventilators at least once per week. Assures that all gas machines are surfaced-cleaned daily. Assures that special carts and trays are thoroughly cleaned at least once per week. Maintains Anesthesia Work Room and other storage areas in a clean and organized manner. Assures that soaking solutions are replaced according to protocol. Assures that reusable equipment such as LMA are properly sterilized. Inspects each anesthetizing location to assure the presence of all designated equipment at the beginning of shift. Inspects special carts and trays daily to assure that they are properly supplied according to the stacking lists. Replaces equipment as needed. Keeps supervisor informed of unusual loss or breakage. Assures that supply inventory is organized and clearly labeled. Assures that stacking lists are kept current. Recommends changes in inventory par levels and items based on current usage. Assists in periodically reviewing and updating supply requisition forms. Requisitions supply order on a weekly basis, being current with the computer program for supplies (MSN). Requisitions outside orders after consulting with supervisor. Assures that adequate supplies are distributed to designated areas. Maintains copies of supply requisition and log of MSN requisition numbers and submits to supervisor at the month end. Performs annual inventory in conjunction with supervisor. Maintains Anesthesia equipment. Cooperates with Clinical Engineering in maintaining established P.M. inspections. Routinely checks condition of equipment such as NIBP cuffs, EKG cables and leads, oximeter probes, temperature cables, warming blankets, pressure infusers, etc. and effect minor repairs or parts replacement. Performs daily battery checks on battery-operated equipment. Keeps supervisor informed of equipment problems. Makes rounds in special units to collect Anesthesia equipment. May be responsible for listing readings for chemical and blood warmer thermometers, reporting results to blood bank, and maintaining monthly quality check on blood warmers. May function as a Care Associate/CNA, providing direct bedside care to patient under the supervision a Registered Nurse, as required:. Stays familiar with and meets the standards of a Care Associate. Provides relief coverage for Care Associates. Participates in training and orienting new Care Associates. In conjunction with OR Supervisor, assigns daily work assignments to OR Care Associates. Assists the OR Care Associates with the more complex Anesthesia cases. May assist in the training of new anesthesia technicians and CNA students. May provide clerical support to Anesthesia Office. Types correspondence and reports. Photocopies information. Maintains department records, reports and files. Answers the telephone, directs calls, and takes and delivers messages. Ensures that office supplies are organized at the end of the day shift. Opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures. Cleans room, equipment, and stretchers using proper asepsis techniques. Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and after terminal cleaning. Discards used disposable anesthesia equipment in the appropriate manner. Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams. Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts. Reports any changes in patients' conditions to nursing staff. Assures that drug inventory is organized and clearly labeled. Checks drug inventory and replaced all drugs to par levels each morning and after each case. Records drugs used on each case into Pyxis system. Recommends changes in inventory par levels and items based on current usage patterns. Assists in periodically reviewing and updating Drug Requisition Form. Keeps supervisor informed of problems regarding availability of drugs. Maintains copies of drug requisitions and submits to supervisor at month end. Maintains log for drug cars with twist locks. Transports blood and specimens to and from Laboratory. Transports patients to and from OR/PACU/Recovery as needed. Delivers laboratory coats to Laundry Room weekly if needed. Assists in the set up of invasive monitoring devices and equipment, calibrating if necessary, and performs other technical duties. Performs safety checklist on anesthesia machine and ensures it's proper function. Changes breathing circuits and masks. Prepares and checks suction devices. Sets up laryngoscope hand and blades. Prepares endotracheal tube and stylets. Disposes of dirty syringes and needles according to infection control policies. Draws up and labels non-controlled drugs as directed. Exchanges and/or restocks anesthesia drug trays in compliance with both anesthesia and pharmacy policies. Assists in the training of new anesthesia technicians and CNA students. Assists the anesthesia provider in preparing patients for anesthesia. Identifies patient by hospital ID band. Assists in transferring or positioning from stretcher to OR table. Places non-invasive monitoring devices. Assists in preparation of sites for intravenous catheters and invasive monitors. Assists with cricord pressure and passes instruments and equipment. Assists anesthesia provider during regional anesthesia techniques. Assists anesthesia provider in other areas including MRI, Cath Lab, GI diagnostics. Cleans room, equipment and stretchers using proper asepsis techniques. Drains anesthesia machine of liquid anesthetic. Maintains adequate and updated drug and supply inventory on a daily basis. Follows standardization of special anesthesia cart to assure that appropriate drugs and supplies are available to the anesthesia team. Maintains department records, reports and files as pertains to supplies and equipment maintenance. Performs inventory of anesthesia supplies and equipment as required (twice a year) and acts as liaison with biomedical department to assure scheduled preventative maintenance. Routinely checks equipment and replaces or repairs defective parts. Contacts hospital supply contractors for major repairs or replacements, i.e., blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, infusers, and laryngoscopes. Runs blood specimens for analysis on the department's I-Stat machine in compliance with both anesthesia and pathology/clinical lab policies. Maintains and completes the necessary quality control documents and functions. Under the direction of the anesthesia provider: Ensures that anesthesia equipment and supplies are available. Disposes suction canister.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• High School Diploma or GED required

Experience

• 1-2 years Anesthesia technician experience required and
• 1-2 years 1 year related technician experience required
• One year of relevant professional-level work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.

Licenses and Certifications

• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant by the Maryland Board of Nursing Upon Hire preferred and
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification Upon Hire preferred and
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required and
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to operate anesthesia and other related equipment.
• Ability to set up, prepare and ensure proper functioning of specialty equipment and supplies for surgery.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

This position has a hiring range of $19.17 - $33.08

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