Anesthesia Technician

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Anesthesia Technician's 2 primary responsibility is to maintain all anesthesia service areas in readiness for use by Anesthesiologists and Anesthetists. The service areas include all operating rooms and satellite areas in which anesthesia services are provided (e.g. MRI, ICU, OB etc.). The Anesthesia Technician 2 is responsible for anesthesia equipment and supplies as described in this job description and is accountable to the Anesthesia OR Support Supervisor. The Anesthesia Technician 2 must be able to work independently and be able to make decisions and set priorities with some guidance. The Anesthesia Technician 2 is responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all applicable infection control, health and safety policies and procedures as implemented by the department and/or work unit. Additionally, adherence to departmental policies and procedures, including telephone and house standards is required. The Anesthesia Technician 2 may assist Anesthesiologists with patient positioning and transport, preparation of sterile fields, placement of invasive monitoring lines, application of regional, epidural and spinal anesthesia techniques and invasive and noninvasive procedure setups. This position is located at ZSFG.
Department Overview:

The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at UCSF provides outstanding patient care, promotes cutting-edge basic and clinical science research, and educates the next generation of healthcare providers while focusing on the UCSF Principles of Community.

The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care ranks as one of the largest departments in the School of Medicine, with an annual budget of $207 million. The three largest components of the annual revenue budget are Funds Flow Revenue, the affiliation agreement with the city and county of San Francisco, and Extramural Funds, which together represent 85.2% or $171 million. As of 2026, the department has over 200 Faculty members, 61 Staff Physicians, 200 Staff Employees, 20 Fellows, 90 Residents, 17 Non-Faculty Academics, 13 Postdocs, and 8 Nurse Practitioners. The department also works closely with 87 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

In addition to the Moffitt-Long Hospital, very active units of the department exist at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) (inpatient and outpatient, including an active trauma service); San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (inpatient and outpatient); Mount Zion Medical Center (outpatient, including 23 hour stays); Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland; the UCSF Orthopedic Institute; the Benioff Children's, Betty Irene Moore Women's and Bakar Cancer (NIH-designated Cancer Center) Hospitals; and the Bayfront Medical Building (outpatient, Center for Pain Medicine) in the Mission Bay neighborhood.

The Department now has essential roles in patient care outside of the operating rooms, with active participation in Ambulatory Care, Acute and Chronic Pain, and in the Preoperative Clinic. Since 1958, the department has been at the heart of modern anesthesia's explosive growth, and to this day continues to have an enormous impact on surgical practice and the management of pain. The department's research, education, and clinical care earned and have maintained reputations equal to or better than that of any institution in the world. Individual members of our faculty have had a major influence on our specialty both nationally and internationally, including NIH study sections, NIH funding, and FDA and Editorial Boards. Research activities within the department are integrated with and inform clinical practice. For many years, ours has been among the top departments in the United States for NIH research funding in anesthesia.

Responsibilities

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job. The functions should add up to 100%.

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

10
Yes
Assures that proper anesthesia related equipment is available and in the correct configuration for the case. Performs quality control and calibration on anesthesia machines, vital signs control modules and monitors prior to each case. Sets up and assembles sterile components necessary for procedures such as arterial, pulmonary arterial, and central venous pressure lines using aseptic techniques. Sets up and calibrates FloTrac and ClearSight equipment for advanced hemodynamic monitoring. Assures that non-scheduled medications/supplies are available for the case and upon request.

10
Yes
Responds immediately to anesthesiologist's requests during a case. Assist Anesthesiologists with patient positioning and transport, preparation of sterile fields, application of general, regional, epidural and spinal anesthesia. Assist Anesthesiologists with performing laboratory tests such as blood gases (ABG), activated coagulation times (ACT) and Glucometry.

10
Yes
Assists anesthesia providers with emergency cases, complex trauma cases, difficult airway cases, invasive and noninvasive procedures. Assist Anesthesiologists with set up and calibration of difficult airway equipment such as OLYMPUS reusable bronchoscopes and towers, GlideScope and C-MAC Video laryngoscopes, AMBU disposable fiber optic scopes and light sources etc.

10
Yes
Provides first-line maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment in all anesthesia service areas. Is responsible for learning and understanding the intricacies of all the equipment used by the anesthesia department. Performs troubleshooting and minor repairs of equipment in absence of Biomed and IT tech support.

10
Yes
Documents any anesthesia equipment malfunctions in writing; describes symptoms, error codes, and circumstances leading to the failure. Properly tags and removes equipment from service. Submits workorder to Biomed Engineering and IT for repair and follows up on repair status.

5
YesAssists with inventory functions in the anesthesia workroom and satellite areas.
10
Yes
Restocks anesthesia carts adhering to par levels after each case. Restocks specialty carts after each use.

10
Yes
Assures that all stocked medications and dated supplies are within the required expiration dates.

5
Yes
Provides equipment training to fellow anesthesia techs and residents (e.g., set up and functionality of BELMONT rapid infuser, MRI infusion pump, EDWARDS FloTrac and ClearSight equipment etc.). Provides technical support for anesthesia equipment users.


10
Yes
Cleans all anesthesia work areas and equipment adhering to the department decontamination standards. Performs leakage testing for fiber optic scopes and TEE probes. Is familiar with anesthetic agents and cleaning substances. Performs Quality Control on High-Level Disinfectant solution.

10
Yes
Assesses functional condition and maintains a daily inventory of anesthesia patient care equipment including but not limited to: ultrasound machines and probes, IV pumps, IV poles, CADD pumps, pressure bags, fluid warmers, rapid infusers, cables and adapters, portable monitors, humidifiers, nerve stimulators, dopplers, fiber optic scopes and light sources, EEG systems, oximeters, respiratory monitors, ventilators, portable vital signs monitors, TEE equipment, patient warming systems, crash carts etc. Documents any anesthesia equipment malfunctions in writing. Properly tags and removes equipment from service. Reports malfunctioning and missing anesthesia equipment to supervisor immediately.

100%


(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• HS/GED or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Six (6) months to one (1) yar previous experience as an Anesthesia Technician.
• Knowledge of medical/surgical and anesthetic terminology.
• Good communication skills. Ability to be clearly understood. Ability to be friendly, courteous, and work in a cooperative manner.
• Must be able to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Must be able to work independently with good organizational skills.
• Must be able to multitask.
• Must be able to work in urgent/stressful situations.
• Must be able to work in a team environment.
• Good computer skills.
• Basic mathematical skills to quickly and accurately add, subtract, divide, and multiply whole numbers and decimals manually or using a calculator.
• Must be able to see well and read in dim light. Must be able to distinguish colors on the anesthesia monitors.
• Must be able to hear and comprehend at normal conversational levels.
• Must be able to move in confined spaces.
• Must have manual dexterity to manipulate small equipment including, but not limited to, twisting bulbs, turning dials, changing batteries, and pushing buttons.
• Must be able to repetitively lift up to 60 pounds, and push or pull wheeled equipment weighing up to 500 pounds on a level surface; pushing/pulling and maneuvering of the anesthesia carts requires moderate to full body force.
• Must be able to remain standing for protracted periods of time.
• Must maintain patient safety.

License / Certification:

• AHA CPR Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of some college coursework with a background in life science, medicine or related field.
• Anesthesia Technician certification.
• Previous experience or training in related medical field e.g., EMT training/experience, sterile processing technician, central supply experience etc.

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information


The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.


Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.


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