Anesthesia Technician I

Bassett Healthcare Network is seeking a highly skilled Anesthesia Technician I to join our team. As a key member of our anesthesia department, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of patient care.

• Assist in the delivery of patient care by providing and maintaining equipment and supplies necessary for the safe conduct of anesthesia.
• Work under the supervision of Senior Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and the Chief of the Department of Anesthesia, providing technical support to anesthesiologists and CRNA staff.
• Assist anesthesiologists and CRNAs in providing efficient and effective patient care, including positioning patients for administration of regional anesthesia.
• Demonstrate knowledge of anesthesia equipment and communicate its location to CRNA staff.
• Prepare, maintain, and troubleshoot anesthesia equipment, including emergency maintenance as required.
• Report any defective equipment to CRNA staff and identify malfunctioning equipment, troubleshoot problems, and refer more serious issues to technical repair personnel.
• Adapt equipment, such as the rapid infusion transfusion system, as required for surgical procedures.
• Set up and prime the rapid infusion transfusion system and maintain a regular schedule of proper maintenance and calibration of monitors used in anesthesia administration.
• Accurately perform routine calibrations of monitors on a daily basis.
• Prepare arterial, central venous, and pulmonary artery lines and assist anesthesiologists and CRNAs with inserting monitoring lines.
• Assist in performing Thermodilution Cardiac Output measurements.
• Prepare and maintain Transesophageal monitors for the Open-Heart Program.
• Clean and restock Operating Rooms according to department guidelines, ensuring a clean breathing circuit on the anesthesia machine prior to each case.
• Change and replace dirty suction tubing and yankhauer tip as necessary to ensure a clean and properly working suction is available for each case.
• Examine and clean equipment and equipment cables between cases.
• Replace EKG pads on the end of cables prior to each case.
• Examine and replace soiled blood pressure cuffs prior to each case as necessary.
• Check and refill anesthetic machine vaporizers prior to cases if necessary.
• Inspect and replace Soda Lime CO2 absorption canisters prior to each case and replace them as necessary.
• Assemble and operate auto transfusion systems during surgery.
• Record details of auto transfusion for each patient per policy.
• Understand and comply with proper hospital procedures for the handling and terminal cleaning of soiled anesthesia equipment.
• Clean, sterilize, or disinfect anesthesia and other equipment according to approved aseptic technique and equipment specifications.
• Demonstrate understanding and adherence to hospital policies regarding isolation precautions in the care of patients with a communicable disease.
• Conduct regular waste gas monitoring of all anesthetizing locations and recover room and record results.
• Maintain anesthesia work areas as clean, orderly, and stocked.
• Maintain an adequate level of anesthesia drugs and supplies in anesthesia carts/workroom and supply carts and restock them before each workday and between cases as necessary.
• Be proactive in keeping equipment and supplies in the proper location.
• Submit auto-transfusion data to the Perfusionist on a daily basis.
• Ensure the refrigerator where medications are stored in the anesthesia work room is cleaned monthly and the temperature is checked daily and remains at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Record the temperature in a logbook kept in the anesthesia workroom per hospital policy.
• Share duties in the scheduling of EMT and other professional and non-professional visitors to the department for the purpose of observing and/or gaining clinical experience.
• Assist in the orientation of new employees.
• Be responsible for maintaining clear communication and accurate communication of appropriate information to physicians, nurse anesthetists, coworkers, and patients.
• Communicate when leaving and returning to the unit.
• Share responsibility with Senior CRNAs for contacting and communicating with vendors and equipment maintenance companies.
• Communicate with storeroom, medical electronics, nurse anesthetists, nurse anesthesia students, anesthesiologists, surgeons, operating and recovery room staff, nursing staff, patients, and patient families as necessary to support the smooth functioning of the department.
• Be responsible for recognizing the role that each staff member can play in efficiency and cost containment.
• Be attentive to stock levels of supplies in patient care areas.
• Perform duties in such a way as to safeguard equipment from damage.
• Be proactive in controlling costs by seeking any cost-saving strategies and reporting them to the department manager and Senior CRNA.
• Be responsible for accurate data collection and documentation as required.
• Show awareness of and adherence to Bassett Healthcare policy of patient confidentiality.
• Be responsible for documenting departmental activities as assigned.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate in a team environment, assuring accurate information as required.
• Acquire and maintain current knowledge and skills in area of practice.
• Provide proof of current BLS validation to supervisor.
• Maintain and document testing reagents/supplies and equipment according to established laboratory procedures.
• Review policies and procedures annually for the following: Cell Saver; Handling of the Blood Cooler; Administration of Blood and Blood Products; Use of Blood Warmer; Use of Pressure Infusor; Use of Filters; Postoperative Reinfusion; Intraoperative Hemodilution.
• Sign that you have reviewed policies and procedures with respect to blood products and transfusions.
• Perform similar or related duties as requested or directed.

• High School Diploma or GED, required
• Other Technical training, preferred
• Minimum 6 months previous clinical experience in a health-related position such as a nursing assistant, laboratory assistant, or emergency medical personnel, preferred
• Basic CPR certification, required

This position requires occasional travel and may involve working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively in a team environment and communicate clearly with colleagues and patients.