Anesthesiology Technician

WVU Medicine

About The Position

The Anesthesiology Technician supports anesthesia care by maintaining, organizing, stocking, setting up, and cleaning anesthesia equipment and supply environments in accordance with departmental and regulatory standards. The role requires knowledge of anesthesia practices and aseptic technique and is performed under the supervision of licensed anesthesia care providers in a variety of clinical settings. Duties include setting up manufacturer-made maintenance IV fluids, fluid warmers, and pressure transducers, and may include performing Point of Care tests within the role’s scope of practice. The technician prepares equipment and supplies for scheduled and emergent procedures, helps providers with patient monitoring, intubations, line placement, therapeutic pain management, and other procedures, and supports emergency situations. The role also includes inventory management, equipment checks and repair coordination, cleaning and reprocessing, documentation, and assisting with orientation and training. An associate degree from an Anesthesiology Technology Program is required, or a high school diploma or equivalent with two years of qualifying experience. BLS certification must be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Requirements

Associate degree from an Anesthesiology Technology Program, or a high school diploma or equivalent plus 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 manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs) to operate and clean equipment.
Ability to perform technical duties in complex clinical situations.
Ability to work in an operating room providing patient care, with proficiency in biologic hazards, infection control, and standard precautions.
Ability to prioritize and multitask based on acuity of patient care needs.
No known history of malignant hyperthermia.
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.

Responsibilities

Practice aseptic technique and properly dispose of single-use items; set up and spike manufacturer-made maintenance IV fluids and may prepare disposable supplies for a sterile anesthesia field.
Evaluate equipment needs for patients transferred between critical care units, the operating room, and Phase I Recovery; assist with connecting appropriate monitoring equipment after procedures.
Ensure basic anesthesia and emergency airway equipment is available; assist anesthesia providers with intubations and other procedures by obtaining supplies, instruments, and lines; safely handle bulk and cylinder gases.
Assist the inserter during line placement.
Check expiration dates on disposable supplies and ensure malignant hyperthermia supplies are available in the assigned location.
Clean up hazardous spills in accordance with SDS instructions and complete incident documentation.
Set up disposable supplies and assist with therapeutic pain management applications, including blocks and epidurals.
Set up suction devices; replace anesthesia machine tanks and recording paper as needed; confirm equipment, power and gas sources, cords, and emergency power connections are in working order; report safety concerns to Biomed and the hands-on provider; ensure equipment is clean before patient care.
Provide anesthesia support during emergencies and routine case turnover; clean anesthesia equipment after cases and terminally clean and dust it at the end of the day.
Anticipate equipment and supply needs for scheduled and emergent procedures, set up equipment proactively, and answer anesthesia pages during the workday.
Set up IVs, fluid warmers, and pressure transducers, and acquire computer pumps.
Monitor consumable supply inventory; stock anesthesia carts; keep the anesthesia area clean and uncluttered; may transport a medication tray to and from Pharmacy; 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, initiate repair actions, and maintain equipment repair and loaner logs.
Stock IV bins and use anesthesia exchange carts to stock anesthesia blue bells.
May perform Point of Care testing within scope of practice and perform required quality controls for Point of Care testing devices.
Provide information for budget preparation on needed equipment and supplies, contribute to cost initiatives, and facilitate applicable departmental components.
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 may serve in an assigned charge role.
UAP may have limited access to medications, including transporting non-controlled substances and the malignant hyperthermia kit at a licensed care provider’s request.
Partner with new hires, model scope of practice, and assist with training orientee duties.