Anesthesia Tech II

Trinity Health•Ann Arbor, MI

About The Position

Anesthesia technicians are members of the anesthesia patient care team, assisting anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists with specialized invasive and non-invasive procedures. In collaboration with licensed anesthesia providers, the technician prepares patients, assists with monitoring during anesthesia procedures, and considers patients’ age-specific, developmental, and cultural needs. The role also ensures the acquisition, preparation, and application of equipment and supplies needed to administer anesthesia. Technicians participate in department call coverage and may be needed by the Department of Anesthesiology at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for technical assistance and support. The technician provides technical support in pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative areas; maintains and troubleshoots anesthesia equipment; organizes workstations and supplies; supports medication-cart stocking and inspection; and trains and evaluates other anesthesia technicians. Duties are performed under varying levels of supervision, with clinical procedures carried out under the direction of licensed anesthesia providers as specified. General supervision is received from a manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
12 months of related experience.
Annual BLS certification.
Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, anesthesia providers, and other patient-care personnel, including in stressful or emergency situations.
Analytical skills to follow instructions, organize and prepare supplies and procedures, and monitor anesthesia equipment.
Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 100% of work time while performing technical tasks and anticipating provider needs.
Ability to lift, bend, push, and pull to move patients and large equipment.
Manual dexterity to grasp, hold, and assemble monitoring equipment.
Ability to remain on one’s feet for prolonged periods.
Mechanical aptitude to operate a variety of highly technical medical equipment.
Ability to accept delegation and work as part of a team, communicating professionally, assisting coworkers, and anticipating coworkers’ and patients’ needs.
Physical strength and stamina to carry weights of up to 15 pounds several hundred feet during a shift.

Nice To Haves

One year of formal education; coursework or background in medical terminology, health sciences, EKG, or pharmacology would be helpful.
Experience in hospital critical-care units preferred.
Certification by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians desired.

Responsibilities

Assist anesthesia professional staff and anticipate needs for invasive procedures based on the daily operating-room schedule.
Help prepare and drape patients for invasive monitoring procedures and assist with monitor insertions, central venous access, pulmonary artery catheters, fiber-optic intubation, and difficult-airway situations.
Prepare patients for anesthesia induction, including placement of blood-pressure cuffs, ECG leads, and pulse oximeters; connect transducing devices and assist with patient positioning.
Perform daily checks of anesthetizing locations to ensure equipment is available and functioning properly.
Assist licensed anesthesia providers with regional anesthesia procedures, including epidural, spinal, regional, sympathetic, and intravenous regional blocks; develop ultrasound-machine competency and assist with ultrasound-guided nerve blocks.
Start intravenous lines when requested by a licensed anesthesia provider, if certified to do so.
Prepare and maintain equipment for difficult-airway procedures, including fiber-optic and Glidescope equipment, and assist with airway procedures.
Assist with volume infusions and operation of rapid infusion pumps during intraoperative volume resuscitation as directed.
Monitor EKG, arterial-line, and pulmonary-artery waveforms during placement; participate in emergency response, including CPR, and, under direct supervision, check blood with a Registered Nurse according to policy when needed.
Participate reliably in anesthesia technician call coverage and respond to staff requests in a timely manner.
Provide technical support in pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative areas and keep necessary equipment available in operating rooms.
Prepare and assemble transducer lines and equipment for arterial, central venous, and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring.
Troubleshoot anesthesia delivery systems, scavenger systems, gas analyzers, EKGs, pulse oximeters, and rapid infusion devices; make specialized equipment available and assist with its operation.
Maintain and organize anesthesia environments, workstations, equipment, and supplies; maintain the cleanliness of workstations and equipment-cleaning areas and safely manage sharps-disposal systems.
Inventory, order, rotate, and restock departmental supplies; maintain carbon dioxide absorbers as scheduled and remove expired medications and supplies.
Follow universal precautions and handle equipment and supplies safely; report equipment needing repair and check that repaired equipment is returned.
Maintain required records and logs, including quarterly Quality Assurance reports.
Perform Anesthesia Technician I duties, including stocking operating rooms, cleaning anesthesia equipment and machines after procedures, retrieving equipment and contaminated instruments for cleaning and disinfection, and restocking standardized, backup, on-call, and heart carts.
Refill Pyxis Anesthesia medication carts using computer-generated reports, return unused medications to proper storage, and complete required competencies before working in advanced areas.
Deliver and register controlled and non-controlled medications and IV solutions for automated dispensing in accordance with departmental procedures and security and accountability practices.
Generate designated computer reports and operate related computer equipment.
Train new anesthesia technicians, document their progress, report results to the manager, and assist with technician evaluations.
Inspect Pyxis Anesthesia carts under Pharmacy direction in accordance with applicable accreditation and professional guidelines.
Attend and participate in departmental meetings and activities.
Support patient and customer satisfaction, provide competent and culturally responsive patient care, maintain cooperative working relationships, and help identify and resolve problems constructively.
Maintain the confidentiality of patient, physician, employee, and visitor information and behave in accordance with SJMHS Mission, Vision, and Values.
Perform duties safely, protect personal and coworker safety, and promptly report preventable hazards and unsafe practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.