Cardiac CRNA

WVU Medicine

About The Position

The CRNA provides anesthetic care for all types of patients and procedures in cooperation with the supervising or medically directing physician and under the standards of the Department of Anesthesiology and in accordance with hospital policies and procedures. The CRNA administers anesthesia to patients rendering them insensitive to pain during surgery/procedures. Provide continuous vigilant observation of patients by monitoring the patient’s physical reaction to sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetic agents and informs the anesthesiologist of any adverse condition that potentially threatens the safety or care of the patient. In addition to the above summary, the Cardiac CRNA will primarily be assigned to the Heart and Vascular Institute, providing anesthesia for Open Heart, Hybrid Cardiac, Vascular, Thoracic and Cardiac CathLab Procedures. The Cardiac CRNA must also be able to perform anesthetics for all other patient subsets that would be managed at Ruby Memorial Main Anesthesia.

Requirements

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of West Virginia is required
Board Certified or Recertified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists required.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support within 30 days of hire
1 (one) years of experience as a CRNA
Must maintain 15 CPC Class-A Continuing education credits annually, based on Cardiac Anesthesia.

Nice To Haves

Advanced experience in invasive hemodynamic monitoring.

Responsibilities

Patient safety shall be of utmost importance.
CRNAs shall maintain excellence in airway management and shall be familiar in the usage of all airway adjuncts. i.e., bullard, fiberoptic scope, ILMA, etc.
CRNAs shall work within their scope of delineated clinical privileges.
Take appropriate precautions to minimize risks of infection of patients, and other health care professionals.
Shall maintain the appropriate confidentiality of patient information at all times.
Participate in the pre-anesthetic evaluation of the patients and the selection of anesthetic agents and techniques.
Perform appropriate techniques of the anesthetic plan such as, but not limited to, insertion of intravenous catheters, insertion of invasive monitoring catheters according to established protocol; endotracheal intubation and extubation; performing arterial punctures for interpretation of arterial blood gases.
Monitor the patient’s physical response to the anesthetic and informs the anesthesiologist of any adverse condition. Manage the anesthesia process to include induction, maintenance, and emergence of general, regional, and monitored anesthesia cases. Recognize abnormal patient responses to anesthesia or to any adjunctive medication or form of therapy. Initiate corrective measures. Determine the need for additional laboratory tests and provide resuscitative care as necessary. Evaluate and manage the patient in the immediate post-operative period.
Administer IV fluids relative to the patient’s medical history and surgical procedure. Administer blood products after obtaining a hematocrit and then consultation with the anesthesiologist.
Appropriately document the patient status in the anesthesia record.
Perform all required safety and performance checks on anesthesia-related equipment and verify the appropriate supplies before initiating care. Procure and assemble equipment and supplies as indicated if anesthesia tech is not available.
In accordance with departmental and regulatory compliance standards, CRNA will review appropriate documentation for informed consent and identify appropriate surgical site during SBAR with circulating RN and holding room RN. Participate in surgical pause in the OR with entire surgical team in accordance with departmental and regulatory compliance standards.
Communicate appropriately with all individuals involved in the peri-operative and post-operative care of the patient.
In a life-threatening emergency, function responsibly by providing anesthesia care in the absence of an anesthesiologist.
Assist with the teaching and evaluation of newly hired CRNAs, GRNAs, SRNAs, and medical students in the clinical area.
Assume responsibility and is accountable for controlled substances according to department and hospital policy and State and federal guidelines.
Maintain all required continuing education credits, credentialing, professional licensure, insurance payor enrollment (as required by WVU Healthcare - UHA), and completion of all required employer training (Computer Based Learning) on time.
May work nights, weekends, and holidays.
May be on call.
Will routinely be assigned to the Heart and Vascular Institute Surgical Suite
May be utilized at Ruby Memorial Main Anesthesia
Will complete annual departmental and Cardiac Anesthesia core competencies.
Will maintain 25 open cardiac and/or hybrid procedures yearly