Nurse Anesthetist

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is responsible for the administration of anesthesia to patients when they are in need of intensive care. The CRNA must understand medical complications associated with the use of anesthesia and how to correct them. The CRNA is responsible for monitoring the well-being of the patient while under anesthesia to ensure no complications arise. Other CRNA duties include: maintaining medical charts, collaborating with a team of health care professionals, including surgeons and primary care doctors, on the patients’ conditions, providing post-operative patient care and evaluation, and assisting in the training of other medical personnel in CPR, anesthesia, and respiratory care.

Requirements

Master's degree or doctorate from an accredited Nurse Anesthesia program plus one (1) year of CRNA experience in an OR setting.
Certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.
CRNA must maintain continuing education credits to maintain licensure.

Nice To Haves

Pediatric OR experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer anesthesia to patients under direct monitoring by anesthesiologists.
Review medical history, evaluate patients, and determine proper methods of anesthesia under the direction of the anesthesiologist.
Assess the condition of a patient and discuss the whole treatment and procedure.
Prepare anesthesia equipment and supplies.
Maintain proper equipment and supplies according to department policies and procedures.
Prepare patients for the entire procedure, including IV placement and other monitoring devices.
Assist with preparing the patient for induction and emergency procedures.
Select, order, and administer medications under the direction of the anesthesiologist.
Perform or evaluate the results of diagnostic tests.
Manage patients’ airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, and extubation.
Monitor patients’ responses, including skin color, pupil dilatation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
Be an active participant in team meetings, teamwork in the operating room, and collaboration with all team members.
React quickly and communicate clearly when patients' conditions change.
Maintain understanding of medical conditions that can impact the administration of anesthesia and the ability to suggest the level and type of anesthesia accordingly.
Manage medical documentation, inventory, patient records, scheduling information, and billing documentation as directed.
Make patient safety a top priority and practice a culture of making zero happen.
Stay abreast of current literature and advances in best practices, and participate in professional conferences pertaining to patient care and the role of CRNA.
Report near-miss events, serious safety events, and other issues that have the potential to cause patient harm.
Perform other duties as assigned.