Anesthesia Tech

Anesthesia Technician

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, one of the nation's top health care services providers, spanning five counties in Southeastern Michigan. SJMHS represents more than 2,700 physicians and 14,000 nurses and staff, and includes 6 Hospitals, 5 Outpatient Health Centers, 8 Urgent Care Facilities and over 25 Specialty Centers. Employees of St. Joseph Mercy Health System enjoy competitive compensation, a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, PTO, life insurance and disability, a retirement savings plan with employer contribution, opportunity for growth and advancement throughout SJMHS and Trinity Health, and free, on-campus parking.

General Summary

Anesthesia technicians are integral members of the anesthesia patient care team who assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in a variety of specialized and complex invasive and non-invasive anesthesia procedures. The anesthesia technician provides patient care in collaboration with licensed anesthesia providers by preparing the patient and assisting in monitoring the patient's condition during various anesthesia procedures. They take into consideration age specific, developmental, and cultural needs of the patient. The anesthesia technician also insures the acquisition, preparation, and application of the equipment and supplies that are required for the administration of anesthesia. The anesthesia technicians have on-call responsibilities and are available to the Department of Anesthesiology 24-hours a day, seven days a week for needed technical assistance and support.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Assists anesthesia professional staff as requested.

• Anticipates need for invasive procedures according to daily OR schedule.
• Assists in preparation and draping of patients for invasive monitoring procedures.
• Assists and anticipates needs of anesthesiologists in invasive monitor insertion and procedures such as pulmonary artery catheter, central venous access, fiber optic intubation, and/or difficult airway situations.
• Assists with the preparation of patients for the induction of anesthesia, including, but not limited to placement of blood pressure cuff, ECG leads, pulse oximeter, and connection of transducing devices as well as assisting with positioning of patients.
• Performs daily checks of all anesthetizing location to insure appropriate equipment is available and functioning properly.
• Under direct supervision of a licensed anesthesia provider, assists with the initiation of regional anesthesia procedures such as epidural, spinal, regional, sympathetic, or intravenous regional blocks.
• Gains competence in ultrasound machine. Assists with ultrasound guided nerve block.
• Under limited supervision, starts an intravenous line when requested by a licensed anesthesia provider. (If certified to do so)
• Assists with difficult airway procedures including preparation of equipment (Fiberoptic and Glidescope), assistance with airway procedures and maintenance of equipment.
• Assists licensed anesthesia provider with volume infusions, running rapid infusion pump, as directed during intraoperative volume resuscitation.
• Monitors EKG, arterial line, pulmonary artery wave forms during placement of such.
• In an emergency situation, under the direct supervision of licensed anesthesia provider, may check blood with Registered Nurse according to established policy.
• Actively participates in emergency situations, including CPR, according to established policy.
• Demonstrates dependability of participation in department anesthesia technician call coverage.
• Responds to requests from staff in a timely fashion.

2. Provides technical support to the anesthesia professional staff in the pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative areas for the delivery of safe, efficient, ad cost-effective anesthesia care.

• Maintains the availability of necessary equipment in each operating room.
• Prepares and assembles transducer lines and equipment necessary for arterial, central venous, and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring as necessary or requested.
• Demonstrates detailed technical knowledge and trouble-shooting ability for anesthesia delivery system, Scavenger system, gas analyzer, EKG, pulse oximeter, and rapid infusion devices.
• Performs well under extreme pressure or life threatening emergencies.
• Makes available, assembles, and assists with operation of specialized equipment such as humidification units, warming devices, fiber optic endoscopic equipment and rapid infusion devices.

3. Maintains and organizes the anesthesia environment, equipment, and supplies to facilitate departmental functioning.

• Maintains the cleanliness and organization of the anesthesia work stations on a daily basis.
• Maintains, inspects, and replaces as necessary a safe and secure sharps disposal system.
• Maintains supply stock in workrooms and all anesthesia work stations in rotational status.
• Inventories, orders, and maintains departmental supply stock consistent with department demand.
• Maintains carbon dioxide absorbers as scheduled.
• Recognizes and adheres to universal precautions in all clinical activities.
• Handles equipment and items correctly to insure ever present usability and safety of supplies and materials.
• Has knowledge of where all supplies are kept and is able to retrieve and store accordingly.
• Reports equipment in need of repair.
• Checks on return of equipment that has been in repair.

4. Performs all job duties of an anesthesia technician I.

• Stocks operating room with all necessary anesthesia equipment and supplies.
• Cleans all anesthesia equipment in the operating room and POCA after each procedure.
• Cleans anesthesia machines and assures related equipment is readily available for anesthesiology personnel.
• Interfaces with other departments in the retrieval of anesthesia equipment.
• Retrieves used or contaminated instruments and equipment from anesthesia cases for cleaning and disinfection.
• Restocks standardized, back-up, on-call, and heart carts according to established policy assuring that necessary and critical equipment is readily available.

5. Performs Pyxis Anesthesia Medication Refill

• Fills medications for use by patients.
• Reviews computer reports to determine appropriate medication levels.
• Fills patient medication orders for Pyxis Anesthesia Carts from computer generated report. Returns unused medications to appropriate storage location.

This document is intended to describe the generalized duties and responsibilities, the specialized job functions, and the essential requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of all supplemental duties, responsibilities, or non-essential requirements or reflect any accommodations made under the American's with Disability Act, the Michigan Handicapper's Act, or SJMHS's Return to Work Program.

Required Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Prior experience as an Anesthesia Technician required.
• One year formal education preferred with background in medical terminology, health sciences, EKG class or pharmacology would be helpful.
• Hospital critical care units preferred.
• Annual BLS certification required.
• Certification by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians is desired.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are 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, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.