Anesthesia Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Sr. Anesthesia Technician (AT) position is an experienced Tech who provides support to the anesthesia providers and other members of the interprofessional healthcare team. This position is fully competent regarding anesthesia, all anesthetizing locations, anesthesia supplies, and other related equipment ensuring that assigned locations and items are ready, available and in good working condition at all times. The Sr. AT position works independently, exercising sound judgment and executing above average clinical skills necessary for assisting with anesthesia-related procedures, troubleshooting of anesthesia-related equipment, and set up, operation and initiation of patient monitoring in all anesthetizing locations e.g., OR, Cath Lab, Endoscopy, etc., as well as, in perioperative units, post anesthesia care units, and intensive care units as deemed necessary or as assigned. This position serves as a mentor to Anesthesia Tech's, utilizing skills and knowledge, helping to train and orient others.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate degree required; either in Anesthesia Technology with certification or in equivalent health-related field if no certification
• In lieu of Associate's degree, must meet experience requirements

EXPERIENCE

• Must meet one of the following: two years of Anesthesia Tech experience with ASATT certification OR three years of Anesthesia Tech experience with an Associate's degree in a health-related field OR five years Anesthesia Tech experience if no degree and no ASATT certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
• Cer.A.T. - Certified Anesthesia Technician (ASATT) - American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians_PSV

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging/difficult procedures and patient care situations. Demonstrates sound judgment, demonstrates time management skills and executes above average clinical skills
• Possess basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Anesthesia Information Systems and Microsoft Office products to maintain patient documents
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing workflow, and actively participating in problem-solving

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and date in a comprehensive manner.
• Role models, by example, open, professional communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution and achieve mutual understanding. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
• Guides and mentors AT’s and participates in training of other team members to help build confidence in skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Initiates recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently and competently performs anesthesia support activities in all monitoring and including but not limited to operating rooms, catheterization laboratories, intensive care units, and other patient care areas where anesthesia is performed.
• Assists the anesthesia providers and other members of the patient care team as needed in the provision of patient care before, during, and after procedures.
• Serves as point-of-care testing super user for different modalities, as applicable.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures equipment is clean and disinfected in work areas between patients, following infection control standards and department procedures.
• Actively participates in organizing the workflow, problem-solving, and managing multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement, providing recommendations and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety. Reports “near misses” and inputs error promptly into TAPS to improve processes and identify trends.
• Serves as resource and trainer for staff in anesthesia support activities such as but not limited to reprocessing flexible scopes and TEE probes in accordance with standards.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures anesthetizing areas and anesthesia services workstations are put back together, organized properly, and ready for use as soon as possible after each case, including, but not limited to, keeping monitor cables stored neatly, ensuring that anesthesia gases are turned off, unused supplies are restocked properly, and equipment is put back in designated places.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in committees and task forces as assigned, ensuring that critical objectives are clearly explained, and action items are appropriately performed. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Technician. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate degree required; either in Anesthesia Technology with certification or in equivalent health-related field if no certification
• In lieu of Associate's degree, must meet experience requirements

EXPERIENCE

• Must meet one of the following: two years of Anesthesia Tech experience with ASATT certification OR three years of Anesthesia Tech experience with an Associate's degree in a health-related field OR five years Anesthesia Tech experience if no degree and no ASATT certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
• Cer.A.T. - Certified Anesthesia Technician (ASATT) - American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians_PSV