Nurse Anesthetist

Job Summary

Collaborates with the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the healthcare team in providing a comprehensive pre-procedure evaluation and initiates appropriate diagnostic procedures and physician referrals.

Responsibilities

Pre-anesthesia evaluation and preparation; administration of general and regional anesthesia & all levels of sedation techniques; and post-anesthesia care for children, adolescents, and adult patients.

Select, obtain, order, and administer pre-anesthetic medications or treatments related to the care of the patient and seek consultation when appropriate.

Conduct a physical screening assessment to obtain an appropriate health history and document the pre-anesthetic evaluation to obtain a comprehensive informed consent for anesthesia and related services.

Recommend, request, and evaluate pertinent diagnostic studies.

Insert and manage arterial lines, peripheral lines, central intravenous catheters, or pulmonary artery catheters.

Manage emergency situations, including initiating or participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Manage interventional pain therapy utilizing drugs, regional anesthetic techniques or other accepted pain relief modalities.

Perform arterial puncture to obtain arterial blood samples.

Provide consultation and implementation of respiratory and ventilator care.

Select, obtain, or administer the anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids, and blood products necessary to manage the anesthetic.

Evaluate patient response during emergence from anesthesia and institute pharmacological or supportive treatment to ensure patient stability during transfer.

Obtain, prepare, and use all equipment, monitors, supplies, and drugs used for the administration of anesthesia and sedation techniques, perform and order safety checks as needed.

Perform all aspects of airway management, including fiberoptic intubation.

Perform and manage regional anesthetic techniques including, but not limited to, subarachnoid, epidural, and caudal blocks; plexus, major, and peripheral nerve blocks; intravenous regional anesthesia; transtracheal, topical, and local infiltration blocks; intra capsular, intercostal, and ocular blocks.

Provide appropriate invasive and non-invasive monitoring modalities utilizing current standards and techniques.

Recognize abnormal patient response during anesthesia, select and implement corrective action, and request consultation whenever necessary.

Discharge patient from a post-anesthesia care area in accordance with policy.

Initiate and administer pharmacological or fluid support of the cardiovascular system.

Initiate and administer respiratory support to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation in the post-anesthesia period.

Provide post-anesthesia follow-up; evaluate the patient’s response to anesthesia and surgery, take appropriate corrective actions, and obtain consultation as indicated.

Skills and Attributes

Requires critical thinking skills and decisive judgment. Works under direct supervision. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Position Requirements

• Work Experience: No experience required.
• Education: Master’s degree or higher in Nursing required upon hire or Master’s degree or higher in Science with a focus in Nurse Anesthesia required upon hire.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration: RN – Licensed as a Registered Nurse, eligible to practice nursing in Kentucky upon hire.
• APRN – Licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Kentucky upon hire.
• CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist certification through National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) required upon hire.

Physical Demands

Standing: 75% | Walking: 75% | Sitting: 50% | Lifting 0‑25 lbs: 25% | Lifting 25‑75 lbs: 25% | Lifting over 75 lbs: 25% | Carrying 0‑25 lbs: 25% | Carrying 25‑75 lbs: 25% | Carrying over 75 lbs: 25% | Pushing/Pulling 0‑25 lbs: 75% | Pushing/Pulling 25‑75 lbs: 50% | Pushing/Pulling over 75 lbs: 50% | Climbing: 50% | Bending/Stooping: 75% | Kneeling: 50% | Crouching/Crawling: 50% | Reaching: 75% | Talking: 75% | Hearing: 75% | Repetitive Foot/Leg Movements: 25% | Repetitive Hand/Arm Movements: 75% | Keyboard Data Entry: 75% | Running: 25% | Vision: Depth Perception: 75% | Distinguish Color: 75% | Seeing Far: 75% | Seeing Near: 75%

Hazardous Drug Risk Exposure: High-Risk.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer and employees are hired based upon their qualifications and merit. Required by law, the compensation for application is not disclosed at the time of application.