Sr Anesthesia Tech

Job Requirements

I. General Summary

Supports anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents and CRNA's (Anesthesia Care Team) by the preparation and set up of appropriate equipment and supplies for each surgical case in the Operating rooms (OR's) and satellite areas. Fulfillment of the job duties requires the employee to have access to medication storage areas.

II. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Maintains and organizes the anesthesia environment, equipment, supplies and personnel to facilitate department functions.

A. Sets up anesthesia equipment and understands the function and use of each item (e.g. invasive pressure monitoring, IV's, airway equipment).


B. Obtains and stocks supplies and equipment as requested by the anesthesia care team. Maintains availability of necessary equipment in each OR. Stocks adequate par levels of anesthesia supplies in all anesthetizing locations including: travel carts, emergency airway carts and regional carts.

C. Demonstrates detailed technical knowledge and troubleshooting ability for anesthesia delivery system (anesthesia machines) and monitoring equipment.

D. Cleans anesthesia machines, monitors and equipment following infection control procedures. Contaminated items are disposed of in accordance with infection control policy.

E. Maintains equipment inventory to track repairs, loaners and demos.

F. Knowledge of the location of the material data sheets (MDS) for hazardous materials.

2. Provides perioperative technical support to Anesthesia Care Team for delivery of safe patient care.

A. Knowledgeable of The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation policies and procedures, sentinel events, environment of care and other TJC mandates directly related to anesthesia and patient safety.

B. Makes available, assemble, and assist with operation of specialized equipment such as fiberoptic equipment; rapid infusion devices/blood warmers; patient warming devices; neuromuscular devices and infusion pumps.

C. Differentiates and anticipate between the types of supplies and equipment needed for specific patient populations (e.g. pediatric, geriatric); surgical procedures and anesthesia procedures (e.g. difficult airway, regional anesthesia)

D. Proficient at performing quality control on equipment (ie Glucometer).


E.


3.Assists Anesthesia Care Team in set-up of Operating Room:

A. Sets up OR for cases e.g. preparation of airway equipment (i.e. laryngoscope, ETT); IV solution and tubing set-up; IV warming devices and patient warming devices.

B. Anticipates need for invasive monitoring according to daily OR schedule.

C. Assists in preparation of patients for induction of anesthesia by placing non-invasive monitors (BP cuff, ECG leads, Pulse Oximeter). Anticipate needs during induction, maintenance and emergence of anesthesia. Assists with the transporting of patients as requested.

D. Assists and anticipates needs of licensed anesthesia providers in invasive monitor insertion and procedures such as pulmonary artery catheter, central venous access, regional anesthesia, fiberoptic intubation and is familiar with the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm.

E. Demonstrates principles of aseptic technique when setting up and handling items on a sterile field. Maintains integrity of the sterile field.

F. Ensure patients and patient specimens are correctly identified, patient and personal safety procedures are adhered (e.g. infection control, fire safety, electric and chemical hazards identified), and emergency situations are immediately and competently responded to (e.g. cardiac arrest, difficult airway, malignant hyperthermia etc).

G. Proficient at Cell saving and RIS

3. Utilizes cisco phones for business calls only. All incoming calls are answered professionally in a timely and courteous fashion. Cisco phones will be maintained on campus at all times.

4. Attends shift reports on time; consistently communicates clear sign out reports to the oncoming shift.

5. Contributes to a positive working environment conducive to the development of self and others; cross-trains in other areas, assists other colleagues as directed by supervisor and/or when required, provides training and orientation to staff and new personnel.

6. Proficient to use Hemobank to obtain blood products for Anesthesia

7. Advanced understanding of surgical procedures to anticipate required Anesthesia supplies, equipment, lines, airway needs, and set-up. Includes all level I responsibilities.


8. Increased involvement of inventory and cart management through input of suggested improvements

9. Improves OR turnover through anticipation of OR set-up and proactive communication for needed equipment and supplies.


10. Anticipates and assists peers to expedite transports to improve on-time-first-starts and turn-over-times

11. Infection control knowledge to identify and resolve breaks in aseptic technique. Able to set-up sterile fields.

12. Increased knowledge of Anesthesia equipment and can perform troubleshooting and equipment coordination. Has specialized training and continuing education (CEU's)

13. Safety training for clinical items related to PPE, equipment, etc.

14. Ability to provide POC and iStat labs as directed by the Anesthesia provider(s).


15. Can relate knowledge of anatomy and physiology to OR preparation. Has the ability to understand basic vital signs and lab values.


16. Proficient in prioritization and accelerated skills related to multi-tasking

17. Anticipates items/ equipment that may be needed during a code status. Assist Anesthesia providers and RN as directed

18. Assist and educates others as needed for cleaning practices, and handling of scopes

Work Experience

III. Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent is required. CPR certification is required.

2. At least 2 years clinical healthcare experience as an Anesthesia Tech required.

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills are necessary in order to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems using appropriate methods and organizational resources, and properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.

2. Knowledge and ability to apply established departmental policies, procedures, behavioral and attitudinal norms, and quality assurance programs, safety, security, environmental, infection control standards and National Patient Safety Goals.

3. Ability to establish and maintain courteous and effective relationships with patients, visitors, co-workers and medical staff and demonstrate sensitivity and awareness of patient needs. Providing information in a manner that is comprehendible, supportive and timely manner.

4. Ability to meet or exceed customer and co-workers expectations in delivering service by implementing the Commitment to Excellence philosophy.

5. Ability to demonstrate initiative and proactively diagnose and resolve problems. Ability to demonstrate speed and timeliness in all duties.

6. Ability to respond and/or assist in emergency procedures and situations immediately and competently (e.g. cardiac arrest, difficult airway, malignant hyperthermia etc),

7. Ability to foster an environment conducive to the development of others; teaching, orienting and acting as a role model to junior staff, and being an active team member.

8. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs.

V. Patient Safety

1. Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives:

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.