Nurse Anesthetist (Intermittent)

Job Title

Nurse Anesthetist (Intermittent)

Clinical Role

1. Assess, monitor, and provide IV sedation, conduction anesthesia or general anesthesia for patients. 2. Perform preoperative evaluation for surgical patients. 3. Participate in a team approach to ensure appropriate patient assessments, anticipate patient care needs, prevent avoidable complications, and achieve optimal patient conditions. 4. Act in adherence of nursing care in accordance with ethical principles. 5. Function within the scope of practice as delineated by the Chief of Anesthesiology in collaboration with the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS), Surgical Care ICC. 6. Participate in an even distribution of call as determined by the Chief of Anesthesiology/Chief CRNA in collaboration with the ACOS, Surgical Care ICC.

Procedures

All anesthetists working at the VA Health Care System in Fargo, North Dakota, in this position are to have completed appropriate training and demonstrated proficiency in administering the following procedures: Management of procedures for rendering a patient insensible to pain and emotional stress during surgical, obstetrical, and certain medical procedures. The support of life functions under the stress of anesthetic and surgical manipulations. The clinical management of the patient unconscious from other causes. Management of problems in pain relief. Management of problems in cardiac and respiratory resuscitation. Application of specific methods of inhalation therapy. Clinical management of various fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic disturbances Local infiltration anesthesia. Bier block. Regional anesthesia. Saddle block. Other spinal techniques. Insertion of radial artery line. Peripheral nerve block. Placement of epidural cannula for administration of analgesic agents. Central venous pressure line insertion. Swan Ganz insertion. PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line insertion. Basic Life Support Certified (certificate required). Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certified (certificate required). Additional anesthesia procedures may be performed by those anesthetists who have received training and demonstrate competence.

Other Performance Standards

1. Functions as a departmental resource while promoting teams functioning. 2. Acts as a preceptor for student nurse anesthetists, if applicable at the medical center. 3. Participates in in-service program sponsored by the Department of Anesthesia. 4. Completes all assigned training prior to the due date. 5. Other duties as designated by the Chief Anesthesiologist/Chief CRNA.

Practice

The incumbent considers age of the patient when performing health care as it relates to functional capacity/limitations, ability to understand and follow directions, provide objective self-assessment of past medical condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans. The employee possesses knowledge of growth and development, has the ability to assess and interpret age-related data, and is able to communicate based on age related issues.

Supervisory Controls

The incumbent reports to the Chief CRNA/Chief Anesthesiologist aligned under Surgical Care ICC.