Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Job Description

Summary :

The CRNA will administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthetist may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists.

Essential Job Functions / Accountabilities :

Instructs nurses, residents, interns, students or other staff on topics such as anesthetic techniques, pain management, and emergency responses.

Manages and maintains the airway and pulmonary status of patients using techniques such as endotracheal intubation and extubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, and respiratory therapy.

Selects, prepares, or uses equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.

Selects, orders, and administers anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids, or blood products.

Develops anesthesia care plans.

Obtains informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.

Assesses patients’ medical histories to predict anesthesia response.

Performs and evaluates the results of diagnostic tests such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs).

Performs or manages regional anesthetic techniques such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks, and intravenous blocks.

Performs and documents pre-anesthetic screenings including physical evaluations and patient interviews.

Monitors patients’ responses including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output using invasive and noninvasive techniques.

Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.

Evaluates patients’ post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses and taking appropriate corrective actions or requests consultation if complications occur. Administers post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patients’ cardiovascular systems.

Discharges patients from post-anesthesia care.

Prepares prescribed solutions and administers anesthetic following specified methods and procedures. Informs physician of patient's condition during anesthesia. Performs pre- and post-anesthesia patient visits and documents anesthesia notes on patient records.

Supports patient safety when performing job functions and through participation in facility, department, or unit patient safety initiatives.

Documents all actions and interventions that facilitate billing for services.

Participates in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.

All other duties not specifically assigned.

Position Requirements

Education :

Must be a graduate of a School of Nurse Anesthesia accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Association of the Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).

Experience :

2-3 years of experience preferred

Technical Skills :

Competency in the clinical responsibilities involved in providing anesthesia services.

Certifications / Licenses / Registrations / Insurability :

Must have a current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) from the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Must have current certification and continued professional certification (CPC) with the National Board of Certification Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) and State Board of Nursing endorsement.

Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) are required.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification

Insurable by an appropriate medical malpractice insurer for the limits required by this institution or state.