2SE Anesthesia Technician

WVU Medicine

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Anesthesia Technician supports anesthesia care providers in clinical settings by maintaining anesthesia equipment and supply environments and assisting with patient-care procedures. The role requires knowledge of anesthesia practices and aseptic technique, along with responsibility for organizing, stocking, setting up, cleaning, and safely handling equipment and supplies according to departmental and regulatory standards. Duties include setting up manufacturer-made maintenance fluids, fluid warmers, pressure transducers, suction devices, and anesthesia equipment; assisting with monitoring, airway, line-placement, pain-management, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures; and performing select Point of Care testing within the role’s scope of practice. The technician supports routine case turnover and emergency situations, anticipates equipment needs for scheduled and emergent procedures, monitors supplies and equipment condition, and initiates repair actions when needed. The position works under licensed anesthesia care providers and may perform core anesthesia care assistant duties, function in a charge role as assigned, and assist with orientee training. The schedule is 40 hours per week, with possible schedules of five 8-hour shifts, four 10-hour shifts, or two 8-hour shifts and two 12-hour shifts. Weekend call is required a few times a month.

Requirements

Associate degree from an Anesthesiology Technology Program, or a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of experience as an Anesthesia Care Assistant or nursing assistant and/or in direct patient care.
Obtain BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
Ability to follow written and verbal directions and work with people.
Thorough understanding of cardiac monitor procedures and equipment.
Thorough understanding of hemodynamic techniques.
Ability to use manufacturers’ instructions for use for equipment operation and cleaning.
Ability to perform technical duties in complex clinical situations.
Ability to perform work functions in an operating room while demonstrating proficiency in biological hazards, infection control, and standard precautions.
Ability to prioritize and multitask based on the acuity of patient-care needs.
Ability to wear and work in protective gear.
Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and push or pull heavily loaded carts.
Visual and oral acuity, manual dexterity, and technical ability.
Ability to hear audible alarms.
No known history of malignant hyperthermia.

Responsibilities

Follow and practice aseptic technique; dispose of single-use items properly and set up manufacturer-made maintenance fluids and disposable supplies for sterile anesthesia fields.
Evaluate equipment needs for patients transferred between critical care, the operating room, and Phase I Recovery, and assist with connection of appropriate monitoring equipment after procedures.
Ensure basic anesthesia equipment and emergency airway equipment are available; assist providers with intubations and procedures by obtaining supplies, instruments, and lines.
Store, use, and safely handle bulk and cylinder gases.
Assist with line placement by aiding the inserter.
Check expiration dates on disposable supplies and ensure malignant hyperthermia supplies are available in assigned locations.
Clean hazardous spills according to SDS instructions and complete required incident documentation.
Set up disposable supplies and assist with therapeutic pain management applications, including blocks and epidural procedures.
Set up suction devices; replace anesthesia machine tanks and recording paper as needed; verify equipment, power and gas sources, cords, and emergency power connections; report equipment and patient-safety concerns to Biomed and the hands-on provider; and ensure equipment is clean before patient care.
Provide anesthesia support during emergencies and routine case turnover, including post-case cleaning; terminally clean and dust equipment at the end of the day and prepare it for the next day.
Anticipate anesthesia requirements for scheduled and emergent procedures and set up equipment without provider requests; answer anesthesia pages during the workday.
Set up IVs, fluid warmers, and pressure transducers, and acquire computer pumps.
Monitor consumable inventory; stock anesthesia carts; keep the anesthesia area clean and uncluttered; transport medication trays to and from Pharmacy when needed; and reprocess reusable supplies.
Drain and reconnect hoses; check and change soda sorb and tubing; rotate stock and store electrical equipment properly.
Report equipment issues and potential problems, recognize repair needs, initiate repair actions, and maintain equipment repair and loaner logs.
Stock IV bins and use anesthesia exchange carts to stock anesthesia blue bells.
Perform Point of Care testing within scope of practice when needed and complete quality controls for Point of Care testing devices.
Provide information for budget preparation and input on cost initiatives related to the Department of Anesthesia.
Select and prepare difficult-airway equipment and instruments according to patient needs.
Assist anesthesiologists, residents, or CRNAs with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures within role scope; perform core anesthesia care assistant duties as needed and function in a charge role when assigned.
Transport non-controlled medications and the malignant hyperthermia kit when requested by a licensed care provider, where applicable to unlicensed assistive personnel.
Partner with new hires, model scope of practice, and assist with orientee training.