CRNA-Nurse Anesthetist Options

JOB SUMMARY

Delivers direct and indirect anesthesia and anesthesia-related care to patients for perioperative services, obstetrical services, pain management and other areas as needed or requested. Utilizes the nursing process through data collection and assessment; identification and prioritization of patient's needs; and development/implementation/evaluation of an anesthetic plan of care. Demonstrates critical thinking to assure the delivery of safe, quality, age-specific care. Provides management for problems with pain relief; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; pulmonary care; and critically ill patients. Communicates and collaborates with other healthcare team members. Adherers to organizational policies and procedures; regulatory/accrediting body requirements; and professional practice standards.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Current New Mexico and federal DEA certificate
• Current licensure to practice professional nursing the state of New Mexico
• Graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program
• Current certification as a nurse anesthetist from the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists or its predecessor
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provide Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required
• Current New Mexico CRNA license

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of the nursing role and scope of practice as defined by the state of New Mexico Nurse Practice Act and the New Mexico Board of Nursing
• Knowledge of the nurse anesthetist role and scope of practice as defined by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Scope and Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Knowledge of current trends and demonstration of standards for anesthesia care
• Demonstration of effective problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Demonstration of positive customer service

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/SOFTWARE

• Basic computer literacy (keyboarding; order entry; word processing)
• Knowledge of and skill in using all instrumentation/equipment for delivering anesthesia care, such as but not limited to anesthesia machine and monitors; ventilators; IV pumps, defibrillators, glidescope

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs and documents a pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including requesting consultations and diagnostic studies; selecting, obtaining, ordering, and/or administering pre-anesthetic medications and fluids; and obtaining informed consent for anesthesia
• Interviews the patient to discuss their medical history, including anesthesia experiences and drug therapy
• Develops and implements an anesthesia plan of care
• Re-evaluates the patient immediately prior to the induction of anesthesia
• Selects and initiates the planned anesthetic technique, which may include general, regional, and/or local anesthesia and/or intravenous sedation
• Selects, obtains, or administers the anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic; to maintain the patient's physiologic homeostasis, and to correct abnormal responses to the anesthesia or operative/invasive procedure
• Selects, applies, or inserts appropriate non-invasive and invasive monitoring modalities for collecting and interpreting physiological data
• Manages the patient's airway and pulmonary status using endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, or extubation.
• Manages emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, obtaining, ordering, and/or administering medications, fluids, ventilator support in order to maintain homeostasis, to provide relief from pain and anesthesia side effects, or to prevent or manage complications.
• Orders, initiates, or modifies pain relief therapy, through the utilization of drugs, regional anesthetic techniques or other accepted pain relief modalities, including labor epidural and spinal analgesia.
• Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic and advanced cardiac life support techniques.
• Assesses /reassesses the patient's condition and manages the patient's blood, fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance
• Delivers safe nurse anesthesia interventions in an organized, efficient, and prioritized manner to address identified needs.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with team members, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Documents accurately and maintains patient records.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new and tenured personnel.
• Utilizes measures to promote and maintain patient, visitor, and personnel safety.
• Maintains patient, employee, physician and organization confidentiality; respects the rights, privacy, and property of others.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in mandatory in-service, staff meetings, educational programs, hospital committees, and quality improvement activities
• Participates in maintaining department functions
• Demonstrates initiative in personal/professional development
• Presents a professional image
• Assists with the control of costs through the judicious use of human and material resources
• Adheres to hospital, division, and department policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

The demands describe here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

Sitting or standing the majority of time as well as bending, stooping, and lifting. Carrying of items weighing a maximum of 20 pounds. Requires the ability to actively perform CPR.

Visual, Hearing and Dexterity Demands:

• Requires visual attention for sustained periods and the ocular acuity to interpret data on gauges, dials, and other equipment. Color vision as needed in unit for reading monitors and administering tests.
• Requires ability to hear sounds by the ear and auditory/acoustic acuity to interpret sounds on dopplers, blood pressure cuffs, monitors, and other patient care equipment. Must be able to exchange and express oneself by spoken word.
• Requires good dexterity to operate equipment and perform computer skills.

Language Skills:

• Requires the ability read, analyze, and interpret written data, reports, and documents. Ability to respond verbally and effectively present information to patients, visitors, employees, physicians, and other customers. Prevailing language of the organization is English.

Written Skills:

• Requires the ability to write legibly and present information effectively via reports, records, correspondence, and other documents to patients, visitors, employees, physicians, and other customers.

Work Environment:

• Ability to work assigned flexible hours as needed; overtime and on-call work/response as required by unit. Exposure to noise, hazardous waste and chemicals. Ability to cope with interruptions of work and stressful situations.

ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

• Employee will perform his/her duties ethically and in compliance with all Cibola General Hospital policies and procedures.

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