Anesthesia Technician

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position is an integral member of the Anesthesia care team and is responsible for performing technical functions relating to the administration of anesthesia, and ensuring adequate supplies are maintained. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to state law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Prepares and sets up equipment for anesthesia procedures.
• Assists Anesthesiologist with monitoring, induction, and intubation of patients.
• Cleans and sterilizes anesthesia instruments and equipment.
• Orders anesthesia supplies and equipment, and ensures the workroom, carts, and satellite operating areas are well stocked.
• Maintains department equipment by evaluating performance, inspecting for defects, performing minor repairs within scope and scheduling repairs with contracted vendors.
• Orients, teaches, and oversees volunteers in the operating room and anesthesia workroom.
• 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.
• May perform cell saving and intra-operative autologous blood salvage and administration.
• May assist anesthesiologist with transporting and monitoring patients to the O.R.
• May assist with the setup, disinfection and administration of transesophageal or transthoracic echocardiogram.
• May perform Point of Care testing including maintaining, performing quality controls for and administering rotational thromboelastometry testing.
• May respond to and assist anesthesiologist with induction and intubation of cardiac arrest and/or Trauma 1 patients.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.

• Ability to provide care to the population served.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

• Ability to make decisions regarding the ordering of supplies and maintenance of equipment.

• Ability to make independent judgments in assessing the needs of the anesthesiologist.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Required

• One (1) year of health care related experience, or the equivalency.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Certification as an Anesthesia Technician/Technologist.
• Certification as an Autologous Blood Transfusionist.
• Anesthesia or operating room experience preferred.
• Associate's degree in science, or the equivalency.
• Completion of an Emergency Medical Technician or Medical Assistant program or registration as a Health Care Assistant.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds any may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects. The incumbent may face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated body fluids, used needles, razor blades, knives, bone shavings, pieces of glass, and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job and must wear protective attire at all times. The position also requires standing or walking for long periods of time.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Lifting, Listening, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking