Anesthesia Technician I

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The Anesthesia Technician I assists in the delivery of patient care by providing and maintaining equipment and supplies necessary for the safe conduct of anesthesia. The Anesthesia Technician assists during patient procedures performed by the Anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist staff. The Anesthesia Technician works under the supervision of The Senior Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(s) (CRNA) and the Chief of the Department of Anesthesia providing technical support to the Anesthesiologist and CRNA staff.

• Assists Anesthesiologist and CRNA’s in providing efficient and effective patient care.

• Assists in positioning patient according to department policy for administration of Regional

  Anesthesia as observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• Demonstrates a knowledge of the equipment necessary for the conduct of anesthesia and

  communicates its location as observed by Senior CRNA managers.

• Demonstrates the ability to prepare, maintain, and trouble-shoot anesthesia equipment.

  Coordinates emergency maintenance of anesthesia equipment as required. Reports any defective

  equipment to the Senior CRNA managers.

• Identifies malfunctioning equipment, trouble shoots equipment problems, and refers more serious

  equipment problems to appropriate technical repair personnel when there are no established

  guidelines.

• Incumbent adapts equipment, such as the rapid infusion transfusion system, as required for

  surgical procedures. Sets up and primes the rapid infusion transfusion and maintenance of a

  regular schedule of proper maintenance and calibration of monitors utilized in the administration

  of anesthesia.

• Accurately performs routine calibrations of monitors on a daily basis as observed by Senior CRNA

  managers.

• Prepares arterial, central venous, and pulmonary artery lines and assists the anesthesiologist and

  nurse anesthetist with inserting monitoring lines, as observed by Senior CRNA managers.

• Assists in performing Thermodilution Cardiac Output measurements as observed by Senior

  CRNA managers.

• Prepares and maintains Transesophageal monitors for the Open-Heart Program as measured by

  supervisory Senior CRNA observation and feedback from other staff.

• Cleans and restocks Operating Rooms according to department guidelines, prior to each

  scheduled case to:

• Ensure that there is a clean breathing circuit on the anesthesia machine prior to each case.

• Change and replace dirty suction tubing and yankhauer tip as necessary to ensure a clean and

  properly working suction is available for each case.

• Examine and clean equipment and equipment cables between cases.

• Replace EKG pads on the end of the cables prior to each case.

• Examine and replace soiled blood pressure cuffs prior to each case as necessary.

• Check and refill anesthetic machine vaporizers prior to cases if necessary.

• Inspects and replaces Soda Lime CO2 absorption canisters prior to each case and replaces them

  as necessary. This will be measured by supervisory observation and feedback from team

  members.

• Assembles and operates auto transfusion systems during surgery. Records details of auto

  transfusion for each patient per policy as observed by Senior CRNA manager and feedback from

  other staff.

• Understands and complies with proper hospital procedures for the handling and terminal cleaning

  of soiled anesthesia equipment as measured by supervisory Senior CRNA manager observation

  and feedback from other staff.

• The Anesthesia Technician cleans, sterilizes, or disinfects anesthesia and other equipment such

  as monitors, specialty carts, EKG cables, lead wires, etc. according to approved aseptic technique

  and equipment specifications.

• The anesthesia machine and related equipment should have exposed surfaces wiped down daily

  with disinfectants approved by Infection Control department and the equipment manufacturers.

  They should be wiped down after known contaminated cases have taken place in that Operating

  room prior to the next case.

• The anesthesia machine and related equipment should be thoroughly cleaned daily to include

  dusting and cleaning drawer interiors and under monitors on top of the machines.

• Demonstrates understanding and adherence to hospital policies regarding isolation precautions in

  the care of patients with a communicable disease, as observed by supervisory Senior CRNA

  manager.

• Conducts regular waste gas monitoring of all anesthetizing locations and recover room and

  records results as observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• Responsible for maintaining anesthesia work areas are clean, orderly and stocked.

• Maintains an adequate level of anesthesia drugs and supplies (determined by case load) in the

  anesthesia carts/workroom and supply carts and restocks them before each workday and

  between cases as is necessary for the safe conduct of anesthesia as observed by Senior CRNA

  manager and feedback from other staff.

• Is proactive in keeping equipment and supplies in the proper location as observed by Senior

  CRNA manager and other team members.

• **Submits auto-transfusion data to the Perfusionist on a daily basis as measured by feedback

  from the Perfusionist.

• Ensures that the refrigerator where medications are stored in the anesthesia work room in

  cleaned monthly and that the temperature is checked daily and that the temperature remains at

  40 degrees Fahrenheit and that the temperature is recorded in a logbook which will be kept in the

  anesthesia workroom per hospital policy, as observed by the Senior CRNA manager.

• Shares duties in the scheduling of EMT and other professional and non-professionals visiting the

  department for the purpose of observing and/or gaining clinical experience as observed by Senior

  CRNA manager.

• Assists in the orientation of new employees as observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• Responsible for maintaining clear communication.

• Responsible for accurate communication of appropriate information to Physicians, nurse

  anesthetists, co-workers and patients as observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• Responsible for communicating when leaving and returning to unit as observed by Senior CRNA

  manager.

• Shares responsibility with Senior CRNA(s) for contacting and communicating with vendors and

  equipment maintenance companies as observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• Communicates with storeroom, medical electronics, nurse anesthetists, nurse anesthesia

  students, anesthesiologists, surgeons, operating and recovery room staff, nursing staff, patients,

  and patient families as necessary to support the smooth functioning of the department as

  observed by Senior CRNA manager.

• ** Required to rotate shifts to cover vacations and absences. Needs to share beeper call to cover

  emergencies in O.R. and Cardiac O.R.’s. Includes nights, weekends and holiday.

• Responsible for recognizing the role that each staff member can play in efficiency and cost

  containment.

• Is attentive to stock levels of supplies in patient care areas as observed by Senior CRNA

  manager.

• Performs duties in such a way as to safeguard equipment from damage as observed by Senior

  CRNA manager.

• Is proactive in controlling costs by seeking any cost saving strategies and reporting them to the

  department manager and Senior CRNA manager.

• Responsible for accurate data collection and documentation as required.

• Shows awareness of and adherence to Bassett Healthcare policy of patient confidentiality as

  observed by supervisory Senior CRNA and feedback from other staff.

• Responsible for documenting departmental activities as assigned.

• Demonstrates ability to communicate in a team environment assuring accurate information as

  required.

• Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in area of practice.

• Provides proof of current BLS validation to supervisor.

• Maintains and documents testing reagents/supplies and equipment according to established

  laboratory procedures, 100% of the time, as observed by supervisor and POC staff.

• Will review policies and procedures annually for the following: Cell Saver; Handling of the Blood

  Cooler; Administration of Blood and Blood Products; Use of Blood Warmer; Use of Pressure

  Infusor; Use of Filters; Postoperative Reinfusion; Intraoperative Hemodilution. Once completed

  they will sign that they have reviewed policies and procedures with respect to blood products and

  transfusions.

• Performs similar or related duties as requested or directed.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED, required
• Other Technical training, preferred

Experience:

• Minimum 6 months previous clinical experience in a health-related position such as a nursing assistant, laboratory assistant, or emergency medical personnel, preferred

Licensure/Certifications:

• Basic CPR certification, required

Skills:

• Communication
  Listening
  Clinical Skills

Physical Requirements:

• Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 lbs, of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 lbs. of force constantly to move objects
• Occasional typing/clerical/dexterity, seeing/monitor/computer use
• Frequent balancing, climbing, crouching, grasping, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, stooping, talking, walking
• Constant hearing, visual acuity

Hazards:

• Occasional electrical, radiation/radiant energy
• Frequent bodily fluids/bloodborne exposure, chemical

Working Conditions:

• Occasional vibration, wet and/or humid, gases, mists, odors
• Frequent noise

Travel:

• Occasional Travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis