The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is responsible for providing safe and quality anesthesia, which includes pre-operative and post-operative patient assessments, inducing and maintaining anesthesia levels, and continuous patient monitoring during surgery. They must also efficiently use time and equipment, adhere to safety protocols, and potentially serve as a clinical instructor for students.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be a graduate of an approved school of nursing and an AANA approved school of anesthesia, holding current Pennsylvania licensure and required certifications including BLS, PALS, and ACLS (or completion within one year). No prior experience is explicitly required, but active practice and compliance with state regulations are necessary.
Provides safe and quality anesthesia within the scope of practice and maintains clinical privileges as approved by the Medical Staff Office.
Core Essential Functions
Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
Patient Assessments/Patient Care
Will make a pre-operative and post-operative assessment of the patient scheduled for surgery and will document their findings on the anesthesia record.
Will reassess the patient immediately pre-op and will assess any lab values, related testing, assure all consents are correct, and assure all consultations are present. Identification of the patient will occur in the OR suite by the circulator, surgeon, and CRNA before anesthesia is given. A TIME OUT will occur before the procedure is started.
Will induce and maintain acceptable levels of anesthesia for each patient.
Will provide continuous monitoring of the patient's status and will adjust the anesthetic plan as needed.
Will minimize the risk of infection for their patients.
Interpret data about the patient's status in order to provide individualized patient care.
Equipment Knowledge/Process Knowledge
Uses time and equipment efficiently and effectively.
Check all equipment to be used in the administration of the anesthetic to be sure it is in safe working order. Any malfunctioning equipment will be marked, the Chief CRNA or Chief Anesthesiologist will be notified, and the equipment will be taken out of service until the problem is corrected.
Professionalism
Accept responsibility as a clinical instructor for students.
Immediately report any observations of abnormalities or questionable conditions to the MDA and the surgeon.
Support the mission and standards of the hospital and Anesthesia Department.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
Maintain a positive attitude as well as promote an atmosphere of professionalism to maintain integrity of the department and provide a positive role model for the registered nurse anesthetist students.
Participate in the continual process of self-evaluation and will strive for excellence in their anesthesia area.
Respect and maintain the basic rights of their patients while demonstrating concern during the delivery of anesthesia for personal dignity and human relationships.
“Ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Physical Conditions chart; and the ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Conditions chart (see chart below)”
The above job descriptive information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, as an employee may be assigned other duties other than described in this document.
Specialty Essential Functions
Performs and documents pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including all appropriate lab values, diagnostic studies and preanesthesia clinical history.
Demonstrates ability to administer all types of anesthesia, including general, regional, local and minimal, moderate and deep sedation.
Selects, applies, and inserts appropriate non-invasive and invasive monitoring modalities for continuous evaluation of the patient's physical status. Display's ability to intubate most patients with ease, manages the patient's airway and pulmonary status through the perioperative process.
Performs smooth patient emergence and recovery from anesthesia by maintaining homeostasis, providing relief from pain and anesthesia side effects.
Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
Maintains compliance with all billing, documentation, and policies and procedures as required by payers, credentialing bodies, and facility. Reports any known violations to management whether such violations are intentional or not.
Immediately addresses any breech or threat that may jeopardize safe patient care.
Provides and maintains a safe professional work environment and immediately reports to the hospital any situation that may constitute a violations of this principle.
Participates in meetings as needed. Participates on appropriate hospital committees
Marginal Functions
Defined as duties that are not essential in nature and do not take a considerable amount of time to complete (less than 10%).
Performs other duties as required.
Required Skills and Knowledge
Minimum level of education, skills and abilities necessary in performing the job.
Education
• Graduate of an approved school of nursing. Graduate of an AANA approved school of anesthesia.
Certification / Licensure / Regulation
Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
Current PALS or completion within 1 year of hire/transfer date into department.
Current ACLS or completion within 1 year of hire/transfer date into department.
Actively practicing CRNA with maintenance of continuing education credits necessary for re-certification. Compliance with state regulations regarding advanced practice of nursing in anesthesia.
PA Act 153 Clearances (Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system, Act 33-PA Child Abuse History obtained through the Department of Public Welfare, Act 73-FBI Fingerprint screening)
Prior Experience
• None
Other Skills and Abilities
Able to perform safely in emergency situations. Demonstrates ability to perform a thorough assessment of their patient. Demonstrates knowledge in anesthetic drugs and equipment. Demonstrates good sound clinical skills in daily care.
Demonstrates working knowledge of: Anesthesia machines, Cardiac monitors, Capnography, ETCO2 monitors, Peripheral Nerve Stimulators, IV infusion pumps, Airway tools (Laryngoscope, Eschman, GlideScope, and LMA’s), Bair Huggers, and Fluid Warmers, and other applicable anesthesia equipment.
Preferred Factor
These are job related enhancements that are preferred or would benefit the performance outcome of the job but are not essential or required for the job to exist.
Masters of Science, or Masters of Health Science, or DNP, or DNaP
The above job descriptive information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, as an employee may be assigned other duties other than described in this document.
Essential Working Conditions: Constantly = (5 1/2 to 8 hours or more) or 200 reps/shift
Occasionally = (1/4 to 2 1/2 hours) or 2 - 32 reps/shift
Frequently = (2 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours or more) or 32 - 200 reps/shift
Rarely = (Less than 1/4 hours) or < 2 reps/shift
Sedentary Work -
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
Light Work -
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.
Medium Work -
Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
Heavy Work -
Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly.
Very Heavy Work -
Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds or force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
