CRNA

Call frequency: one call per month
Schedule: Flexible Scheduling (8/10/12/24hrs.)

Level 1 Trauma Hospital
Mode of practice: Care Team

The staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) administers anesthesia to any patient undergoing a surgical procedure, as designated by the attending physician. The CRNA is responsible to the Chairman and the Chief Anesthetist for the Department of Anesthesia. Assignments are performed based on the age and developmental level of patients being served. May assist in evaluation of students.

• Performs a pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient. This includes requesting consultations and/or diagnostic studies and ordering pre-anesthetic medications.
• Develops and implements an anesthetic plan of care. Performs an assessment immediately prior to induction of anesthesia of the patient. This shall include a review of the medical record with regard to completeness, pertinent laboratory data, time of administration and dosage of preanesthesia medication, together with an appraisal of any changes in the patient's condition from that noted on previous visits. This note shall include any previous anesthetic experiences and complications thereof noted in the medical record. Initiates the anesthetic plan by selecting the type of anesthesia.
• Manages the patient's emergence and recovery from anesthesia by maintaining homeostasis, providing relief from pain and anesthesia side effects and preventing and managing complications through selecting, obtaining, ordering and administering medications, fluids or ventilator support. The nurse anesthetist or his/her qualified designee is to remain with the patient as long as required by the patient's condition relative to his/her anesthesia status and until responsibility for proper patient care has been assumed by other qualified individuals. Personnel responsible for postanesthetic care are to be advised of specific problems presented by the patient's condition.
• Records all pertinent events taking place during the induction of, maintenance of and emergence from anesthesia, including the dosage and duration of all anesthetic agents, other drugs, intravenous fluids and blood or blood components on all patients that have received anesthesia care. Provides followup evaluation and care related to anesthesia complications and/or side effects. Discharges or releases from the PACU according to established criteria.
• Prepare all equipment and agents to be used in the administration of the anesthetic to be sure it is in safe working order. Report all malfunctioning equipment to the anesthesia technician and/or the Chief Nurse Anesthetist. Checks all resuscitative equipment prior to the beginning of the first surgery of the day. Any malfunctioning or missing equipment will be reported to the anesthesia technician and/or the Chief Nurse Anesthetist immediately.
• Maintains the patient's physiologic homeostasis and corrects abnormal responses to the anesthesia and/or surgery. Collects and interprets patient physiological data by selecting, applying or inserting noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities. Manages the patient's airway and pulmonary status. Operate and analyze advanced monitoring methods, such as pulmonary artery catheterization, electroencephalographic spectral analysis, echocardiography, and evoked potentials.
• Evaluate life threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest, and treat with established protocols.
• Administer induction drugs, maintain and adjust appropriate anesthetic depth, manage additional treatment and deliver continuous anesthesia care and monitoring into and during the postoperative recover phase.

$75,000 for a three year commitment.