Job Summary:

The Nurse Anesthetist will administer anesthesia, monitor patients vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthetist may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Instructs nurses, residents, interns, students or other staff on topics such as anesthetic techniques, pain management and emergency responses.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manages patients airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation and extubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, and respiratory therapy.
• Selects, prepares, or uses equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.
• Selects, orders, and administers anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products.
• Performs pre-anesthetic screenings including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and documents results. Monitors patients responses including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
• Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
• Develops anesthesia care plans.
• Obtains informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.
• Assesses patients medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
• Performs and evaluates the results of diagnostic tests such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Performs or manages regional anesthetic techniques such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.
• Evaluates patients post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses, taking appropriate corrective actions or requesting consultation if complications occur. Administers post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patients cardiovascular systems.
• Discharges patients from post-anesthesia care.
• Reads literature, talks with colleagues, and participates in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• General knowledge of medical terminology.
• Advanced understanding of anesthesia and other critical nursing skills.
• Demonstrated patient care skills.

Education and Experience:

• Masters degree in nursing with specific emphasis on anesthesia required.
• At least five years of related experience required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing, bending and reaching.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.