Area of Responsibilities
- Manage patient's airway and pulmonary status using endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, or extubation. A. Airway management techniques are documented on the anesthesia record. B. Endotracheal tube placement is assessed with positive ETCO2 readings to maintain standard care. C. Ventilation parameters are recorded on the anesthesia record. Difficulties with intubation are noted on the anesthesia record. E. Drips, fluids, or ventilator support is administered in order to monitor optimum patient homeostasis in the immediate postoperative period.
- Release patient to a PACU and provide post anesthesia follow-up evaluation. A. Patient receiving any type of sedation, pain relief, regional or general anesthesia, or a combination thereof, is transported to a post anesthesia recovery area. B. Patient care information including patient ID, allergies, anesthesia type, drugs used, blood/fluid status, complications, procedure performed, vital signs, preexisting conditions, and airway status is reported to the PACU nurse. C. A visit to the patient on postoperative day one is recorded on the Anesthesia Postoperative Summary sheet.
- Respond to and handle emergency and other anesthesia-related responsibilities within the scope of the Cranial. CRNA is available at all times to respond to emergency calls. B. Patient airway and/or ventilation of the patient in an emergency situation is competently managed. C. Respond to requests for placement of intravenous catheters, hanging epidural drips, and rate adjustment. D. Participate on Continuous Quality Improvement Care Team. E. Teach anesthesia related topics to appropriate personnel, when requested. Provide clinical support services outside of the operating room upon request.
- Select, obtain, and or administer anesthetics, drips, and fluids to maintain patient's physiologic homeostasis and correct abnormal responses to the anesthetic or surgery. A. Anesthetic is individually tailored and vigilantly monitored to meet the needs of the patient. B. Anesthetic is coordinated with the surgical procedures and the immediate postoperative care to improve postoperative outcome and patient satisfaction. C. Abnormal responses to the anesthetic or surgery are handled immediately. D. Continuing education (mandatory) is acquired to refresh, review, and update knowledge and skills and to maintain licensure.
- Update review preanesthetic assessment evaluation of patient with involved Anesthesiologist, including but not limited to requesting necessary studies and administering preanesthetic medication fluid. A. Patients receive a preanesthetic assessment. B. Essential lab studies for most cases are recorded on the preanesthetic evaluation or record. C. Sedative medication is administered to most anesthesia surgery patients. D. A positive and courteous manner is maintained with all patients. E. Patient safety standards and guidelines are followed.
Compliance Statement
Employee performs within the prescribed limits of Tanner Health System's Ethics and Compliance program. Is responsible to detect, observe, and report compliance variances to their immediate supervisor, the Compliance Officer, or the Hotline.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
No prior work experience required
Licenses & Certifications
- GEORGIA CERTIFIED NURSE ANESTHETIST LICENSE
Supervision
- CRNA practice is supervised by the Chief CRNA and Chief of Anesthesia. Administrative oversight is provided by the Director of Surgical Services.
Qualifications
- A master's degree is awarded upon the successful completion of the nurse anesthetist program, which typically runs 24 to 36 months and includes both classroom and clinical experience or experience commensurate with a master's degree of a new graduate.
- All states require the nurse anesthetist to pass a national certification examination. This certification is transferable from state to state.
- Licensed as a registered nurse (RN), and at least one year's work experience as a RN in an acute care nurse setting.
- Must have good communication skills and the ability to instill confidence in patients. They must be interested in the chemistry of pharmaceuticals and have the stamina to focus for long periods of time.
- Prerequisites for a nurse anesthetist program are a Bachelor of Science degree.
Definitions
- A nurse anesthetist is called a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). A CRNA administers any number of agents (anesthesia) to either relieve pain or make patients unconscious for surgical procedures. Administration of anesthesia may be by intravenous (injected into the veins) inhalation, or spinal routes. During the administration of anesthesia, the CRNA closely monitors the patient's response by monitoring temperature, pulse, heart rate, and breathing rate. If any signs of an allergic reaction occur, immediate intervention is needed. During surgery, the CRNA continues to closely monitor the patient for symptoms of distress. This requires taking vital signs and watching for symptoms of shock, breathing problems, and heart irregularities. Patients are monitored until they have recovered from the anesthesia and are stable. Prior to procedures that require anesthesia, the CRNA meets the patient and family members to obtain pertinent information, explain the process, and answer any questions. CRNA's work in many practice settings, including hospitals, obstetric delivery centers, dental clinics, plastic surgery clinics, and military facilities.
Contact With Others
Requires frequent contact with many persons at different levels inside and outside of the organization to carry out organization policies and programs and obtain willing acceptance, consent, or action.
Effect Of Error
Probable error usually detected in succeeding operations and generally confined to a single department or phase of organization activities. Practically all work is subject to verification or check. Occasional work with some confidential data where the effect of any disclosure would be negligible or where the full import is not apparent in the routines performed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Regularly uses assistance of aide or helper or leads the work of one to four co-employees; checks performance of work assigned as to accuracy and time, doing same work, it's more difficult aspects, or other related work
Mental Demands
A wide variety of complex, changing problems, most of which cannot be anticipated, and there is little existing precedent. Requires careful analysis for the effect of solution on other activities and overall coordination in the organization. Accuracy is essential and not subject to further check. Work involves high degree of resourcefulness, independent judgment, initiative, and long-range planning to achieve major functional objectives.
Physical Effort
Medium physical effort - Lifts, carries, or handles lightweight (1 to 25 lbs.) materials or equipment for most of the day. Occasional physical effort with medium weight objects (25-60 lbs.). Very occasional physical effort with heavy objects (over 60 lbs.).Works in reaching or strained positions for about half of day.
Working Conditions
Extreme - Constantly involved in exposure to dirt, odors, noise, or some work is performed with exposure to temperature/weather extremes/occupational risk and probability of coming into contact with blood borne pathogens, other potentially infectious diseases, or biomedical/bio-hazardous materials.
Working Conditions Aspects For Immunizations
- Performs tasks involving contact with blood, blood-contaminated body fluids, other body fluids, or sharps (needles)
- Directly works with Patients less than 12 months of age
Physical Aspects
Continually (at least once per day)
- Manual Dexterity - picking, pinching With fingers etc.
- Feeling (Touch) - determining temperature, texture, by touching
- Hearing
- Reaching - above shoulder
- Reaching - below shoulder
- Visual
- Color Vision
- Speaking
- Standing
- Balancing
- Walking
- Handling - seizing, holding, grasping
Frequently (at least 3 times a week)
- Lifting 25 To 60 lbs.
- Lifting over 60 lbs.
- Carrying
- Pushing/Pulling - up To 25 lbs.
- Pushing/Pulling - 25 To 60 lbs.
- Pushing/Pulling - over 60 lbs.
Occasionally (at least once a month)
- Bending
- Typing
- Crawling
- Running - In response To an emergency
- Lifting up To 25 lbs.
- Climbing
- Kneeling
- Squatting
- Smelling
- Driving - Utility vehicles such As golf carts, Gators, ATV, riding lawnmowers, skid steer, aerial lift
- N95 Respirator usage (PPE)
- Hazmat suit usage (PPE)
