Nurse Anesthetist - Anesthesia (Medical Center)

At Houston Methodist, the Nurse Anesthetist II position, under the direction of the attending Anesthesiologist and Chair of the Department, provides pre-anesthesia, anesthesia and post-anesthesia services in a clinical, research and academic environment. This position affects direct patient care according to the nurse practice act of the State of Texas and Houston Methodist Standards of Care policies and procedures. The Nurse Anesthetist position participates in the educational imperative of the Department of Anesthesiology.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Strong assessment, organizational and problem-solving skill as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components
• Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families
• Demonstrates sound clinical knowledge of technology and treatment applications
• Thorough knowledge and related skills of current anesthesia practices with emphasis on administration of anesthesia for the patient undergoing cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery
• In depth knowledge of pharmacology with emphasis on anesthetic, cardiac and vasoactive drugs
• Thorough knowledge of anesthetic equipment
• Expertise in the placement of invasive monitoring devices including arterial, central venous and pulmonary artery catheters
• Ability to move, manipulate, and safely operate anesthesia equipment during the administration of all types of anesthesia to all sizes of patients
• Ability to adapt to work environment changes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, including HIPPA regulations compliance
• Ability to adjust work schedule to meet varying demands
• Uses critical thinking skills and clinical judgement to work autonomously as defined by the Texas Nursing Board & collaborates with healthcare team members to manage/coordinate patient care

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire:

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business Professional: Yes

On-Call: Yes

Travel: May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area

People Essential Functions

• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and inter-professional health care team to collaborate on the appropriate anesthesia plan. Educates patient and family regarding expectations before and after surgery.
• Provides leadership as clinical resource, inter-professional consult, and patient advocate. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and following up by coaching and critiquing colleagues’ thought processes in complex situations.
• Communicates in an active, positive and effective manner to all health care team members, asking them if they need help, constructively influencing team morale. Contributes towards improvement of department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

Service Essential Functions

• Performs safe and effective care and delegated functions under physician supervision and treatment as defined by the Texas Nursing Board to practice guidelines. Performs thorough and complete pre-anesthesia assessments and develops appropriate anesthesia plans.
• Places and maintains epidural catheters as adjuncts to anesthesia. Places and monitors arterial and central venous catheters including pulmonary artery catheters.
• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving score for patient satisfaction.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Administers anesthesia in accordance with clinical privileges, including induction, maintenance and emergence. Selects, obtains and administers anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic, to maintain the patient’s physiologic homeostasis, and to correct abnormal responses to the anesthesia or surgery. Documents pertinent information on the patient’s medical record.
• Monitors, interprets and evaluates, ongoing data, as appropriate, for the type of anesthetic and specific patient needs. Provides expertise in airway management both in and out of the surgical suite catheters.
• Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
• Actively participates in meeting quality and safety targets and initiatives, reporting near misses and identifying solutions by collaborating with the inter-professional health care team. Uses teachable moments to improve safety.

Finance Essential Functions

• Implements department strategies to achieve financial target on entity scorecard and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, optimizing efficiency, and other areas according to department specifications.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• May serve on a variety of institutional committees and participate as instructors in staff development and continuing education programs for both professional and non-professional staff members.
• Maintains personal professional development through organization membership. Attends workshops and other educational programs, to ensure awareness of current developments and trends.
• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis.

One year of anesthesia experience preferred which includes residency experience

Medical Insurance:

• Medical Plan (choose one of three plans)
• Prescription Drug Plan (included with Medical)
• Dental Plan (choose one of three plans)
• Vision Coverage
• Emergency Medical Transportation (paid by Houston Methodist)

Life Insurance:

• Basic Life Insurance (paid by Houston Methodist)
• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (paid by Houston Methodist)
• Optional Life Insurance (additional coverage for employees and dependents)
• Voluntary Death and Dismemberment Insurance (additional coverage for employees and dependents)
• Compassion Benefit (paid by Houston Methodist)

Disability Insurance:

• Short-Term Disability (paid by Houston Methodist)
• Long-Term Disability (paid by Houston Methodist)
• Workers' Compensation (paid by Houston Methodist)

Retirement Savings Plans:
A minimum of 5% in retirement contributions through two retirement plans:

• 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity with employer matching
• Defined Contribution Plan – Houston Methodist makes contribution

Commuter Benefits:
As a Houston Methodist employee, you have the benefit of free or subsidized transportation and parking. You may choose between transportation (e.g. METRO rail & bus) or parking.

Mental Well-Being Options:
All employees and dependents have access to extensive resources to help with everyday challenges of work and life including an Employee Assistance Program and access to Talkspace, Brightside, Headspace and the Emotional Health and Well-Being Clinic for medical plan members.

Wellness Programs:
Employees may participate in a variety of wellness programs that promote a healthier lifestyle including state-of-the-art onsite gyms at each of our hospitals.

Legal Assistance:
Employees may participate in a plan that provides assistance with legal matters.

Family Building Benefit:

• Assist families through fertility treatments, adoption and surrogacy.
• Lifetime benefit maximum of $20,000 for the family building benefit.
• Specialized vendor to assist you in all aspects of this benefit.

The Back-Up Care Advantage Program:

• Eligible employees receive 20 days per calendar year.
• This benefit provides normal child or elder/adult care services. Days can also be used for virtual tutoring if you don’t have a need for back up care.
• Access to day center-based care or in-home care.
• Provides peace-of-mind in case your normal care arrangements are compromised.

Educational Assistance:

• Tuition Assistance either in the form of direct payments to the school or reimbursement – Houston Methodist provides educational funding for employees for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level education courses that are job related.
• College Scholarships for Children – Houston Methodist offers scholarships for children of employees who are enrolled in approved programs leading to a degree in health care. (To be eligible, employee must be employed for a minimum of two years full-time with Houston Methodist.)
• Student Loan Management - Houston Methodist has a program administrator that offers support for borrowers who are managing student loan debt. Specialized assistance with the public service loan forgiveness (PSLF).

Also: Employee Discounts on Many Services
New employees who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible for benefits coverage from the first day of employment, unless otherwise specified above.

Employees who are classified as part-time or regular full-time are eligible for coverage in our benefits program if scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week. There are differences in benefits coverage between part-time and full-time employees.