JOB SUMMARY:

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist/Anesthesiologist (CRNA) in an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who practices both autonomously and in collaboration with a variety of health providers on the interprofessional team to deliver high-quality, holistic, evidence-based anesthesia and pain care services. The CRNA cares for patients at all acuity levels across the lifespan in a variety of settings for procedures including, but not limited to, surgical, obstetrical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and pain management.

Schedule:

• 0.7 FTE
• Non-Call Shift: 7am-5pm
• Call Shift: 5pm-7am
• Weekend Shift: 7am-7am

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical responsibilities of the CRNA are delineated by his or her clinical privileges and may include:

• Perform and document the preanesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient.
• Review, request, and order (as permitted by state law), laboratory/diagnostic studies.
• Obtain informed consent for anesthesia and related services.
• Select, obtain, order, and administer preanesthetic medication or treatment.
• Develop and implement an anesthesia care plan.
• Select, obtain, prepare, and use equipment, invasive and non-invasive monitors, supplies, and drugs for the administration of sedation, anesthesia, and pain management services; perform safety checks as needed.
• Select, order, obtain, and administer analgesic and anesthetic agents, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids, or blood products necessary to provide anesthesia services.
• Perform all aspects of airway management, including fiberoptic intubation.
• Facilitate emergence and recovery from anesthesia by evaluating patient response, and selecting, ordering, and administering medications, fluids, and ventilator support to maintain patient stability during transfer.
• Initiate and administer post-anesthesia pharmacological or fluid support of the cardiovascular system.
• Initiate and administer respiratory support to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation in the post anesthesia period.
• Evaluate the patient’s response to anesthesia and surgery; take appropriate corrective action during the post anesthesia period.
• Provide post anesthesia follow-up evaluation and care.
• Discharge the patient from the post anesthesia care unit.
• Implement acute and chronic pain management modalities.
• Manage emergency situations by assessing, stabilizing, and determining disposition of patients, including providing airway management, administration of emergency drugs and fluids, and using basic and advanced cardiac life support techniques.
• Place and manage regional anesthetic techniques, as delineated by his or her clinical privileges or granted special privileges, and may include:
  • Subarachnoid
  • Epidural
  • Caudal
  • Plexus, major and peripheral nerve block
  • Intravenous regional anesthesia
  • Upper and lower extremity block
  • Diagnostic and therapeutic nerve block
  • Transtracheal, topical, and local infiltration block
  • Retrobulbar block
  • Intracapsular, intercostal, and ocular block
  • TAP block
  • Insert and manage peripheral, arterial, pulmonary catheter, or central venous lines and catheters.
  • Provide care to patients in intensive care in accordance with facility policy.
  • Provide patient and caregiver education.
  • Perform arterial puncture to obtain arterial blood samples.
  • Consult with respiratory care providers and implement respiratory and ventilator care.

Nonclinical

• Additional nonclinical responsibilities of the CRNA may include, but are not limited to:
  • Quality assessment and quality assurance.
  • Didactic and clinical education of students and staff.
  • Appointment to facility committees and related activities.
  • Interdepartmental liaison responsibilities.

Patient Safety

• Supports patient safety when performing his or her job functions and through participation in facility, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Professional Development

• Participates in required educational programs.
• Participates in monthly departmental meetings.
• Seeks ongoing professional educational growth.
• Maintains current licensure requirements for CRNA practice.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to perform clinically as a nurse anesthetist in the facility setting on a regular basis.
• Ability to operate, use, and interpret data from a wide variety of equipment to perform anesthesia care as well as necessary perioperative or operating room care to support the safety and wellbeing of the patient while they are under the direct care of the CRNA.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are required to effectively collaborate with various clinical staff and other disciplines.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Attends all mandatory in-service classes.
• Completes all annual required educational competencies.
• Maintains certification in BLS, ACLS, PALS.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control techniques.
• Ability to maintain confidential records.
• Ability to implement and adhere to facility policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS (Required):

1. Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree, current active in good standing Montana RN license and APRN license.
2. Masters or Doctorate in Nursing or Nurse Anesthesiology
3. Board Certified by the NBCRNA
4. ACLS, PALS, BLS certification, or able to achieve within one year of hire.
5. Experience in CRNA position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s in Nursing Degree
2. Five years’ experience