Anesthesia Technician

Anesthesia Technician

Position Summary: Assists anesthetist by setting-up equipment and preparing medications. Orders, stocks, tests and maintains anesthesia supplies, medications, and equipment. Washes and sterilizes re-usable equipment; reports malfunctioning equipment to appropriate personnel. Performs safety checks on anesthesia equipment and assists the anesthetist as needed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities as Assigned:

1. Prepares and sets up equipment for anesthesia procedures.
2. Assists anesthetist with monitoring, induction and intubation of patients.
3. Cleans and sterilizes anesthesia instruments and equipment.
4. Orders anesthesia supplies and equipment, and ensures the workroom, carts and satellite operating areas are well stocked.
5. Maintains department equipment by evaluating performance, inspecting for defects, performing minor repairs within scope and scheduling repairs.
6. Assists in the sterile placement of intravenous infusion lines and invasive pressure monitoring devices and lines including central venous and peripheral arterial access and pulmonary artery catheters.
7. May assist with transporting and monitoring patients to the operation room.
8. May respond to and assist anesthetist with induction and intubation of cardiac arrest and/or trauma patients.
9. Ensures compliance with all health care regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA.
10. Maintains safe and clean working environment and protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control, hazardous waste and other policies and protocols.

Performs other related duties as required and directed.

Lead Duties and Responsibilities (If classified in a Lead Role):

• Assists in quality control and performance improvement activities.
• Contributes to performance feedback, hiring decisions.
• Ensures standards are met (quality, timeliness, customer service, etc.).
• Evaluates and tests new procedures/processes.
• Orients and/or trains new staff.
• Problem solving capabilities.
• Subject matter expert/technical leadership.
• Work flow/distribution of work.
• Assists in assuring compliance with all regulatory and other agency requirements, laws, and statutes pertaining to the operation of the department.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One-year patient care experience in either an operating room or emergency department setting within the last five years.
• BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.

Preferred:

• Certification as an anesthesia technician or technologist.
• One month of job-related experience and/or training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of patient care techniques and the principles of sterile techniques.
2. A basic understanding of regulatory, legislative and The Joint Commission standards related to anesthesia, surgery and infection control for anesthesia tech practice scope.
3. Excellent interpersonal, organizational and customer service skills.
4. Familiarity with electronic medical health care record systems.
5. Ability to handle multiple requests and prioritize appropriately.
6. Ability to work in stressful situations.