Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Position Summary

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) performs a clinical role in providing pain management and anesthesia care. The CRNA is a credentialed position and may practice under various practice models that include autonomous practice, as well as in collaboration with a variety of health providers on the interprofessional team to deliver high-quality, 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

A CRNA may practice autonomously or in collaboration and/or supervision in order to:

• Obtain a comprehensive patient history, perform relevant elements of a physical examination

• Pretest and calibrate anesthesia delivery systems and obtain and interpret information from the systems and monitors

• Implementation medically accepted monitoring techniques

• Establish basic and advanced airway interventions, including intubation of the trachea and performing ventilator support

• Administer intermittent vasoactive drugs and start and adjust vasoactive infusions

• Administer anesthetic drugs, adjuvant drugs, and accessory drugs, including narcotics

• Performance of epidural anesthetic procedures, spinal anesthetic procedures, and other regional anesthetic techniques

• Administer blood, blood products, and supportive fluids

• Provider assistance to a cardiopulmonary resuscitation team in a response to a life threatening situation

• Monitor, transport, and transfer care to appropriate anesthesia or recovery personnel

• Participate in administrative, research, and clinical teaching activities, and

• Perform such other tasks that CRNA has been trained and is proficient to perform

Non-Essential Functions (Responsibilities)

Helps to maintain a safe, clean and orderly work environment.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Understands and supports The GW Medical Faculty Associates and Cedar Hill hospital’s mission statement, vision, and values and guiding principles.

• Carries out safety and infection control procedures to ensure patient, staff and visitor safety.

• Responds to customers in a friendly, prompt, and caring manner, maintaining confidentiality and respect.

• Demonstrates positive behaviors toward patients, families, physicians, and all coworkers.

• Promotes mutual respect and professionalism.

• Participates in Performance Improvement activities by identifying areas needing improvement and taking action to improve, trend, and report through PI process.

Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

A graduate of a CRNA program accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Experience

One to three years of experience in the area recommended. Microsoft Office software is required.

Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Licensure/Certifications

Holds current active state license as a registered nurse in the District of Columbia and complies with any applicable state statutory and regulatory requirements concerning CRNAs.

Is currently certified or recertified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.

Insurable by an appropriate medical malpractice insurer for the limits required by this institution or state.

Demonstrates current competency in the clinical responsibilities specified in this description as well as in credentialing documents.

For reappointment, the CRNA has to:

• Have met all continuing education requirements by demonstrating that he or she has been recertified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.

• Departmental Privilege Delineation - The Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care shall define the CRNA responsibilities/activities which are specific to the field of anesthesiology.

• The Department shall define those activities that require the physical presence of a supervising physician above and beyond regulatory requirements.

• The CRNA responsibilities/activities must be consistent with her or his statement of qualifications, and no procedure or service shall be provided without approval by the Credentials Committee as described in section 4.6.a of the bylaws of the Medical and Dental Staff.

• Identification of practice – the CRNA practitioners, in their relationships with patients, must clearly state that s/he is a CRNA as appropriate.

Supervision Received

Works under supervision of the Executive Director and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Supervision Exercised

Will work in a variety of practice models including autonomous clinical practice through supervised clinical practice.

Equipment To Be Used

Must be able to operate computer and anesthesia equipment, and to learn applicable software.

Typical Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods of time. Requires manual dexterity to provide clinical care as well as operate computer keyboard, and other equipment.

Typical Mental Demands

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; and be able to communicate in a professional manner. Must be able to follow and understand instructions. Must react favorably in all work situations, showing flexibility and dedication to team engagement. Must demonstrate strong and effective facilitation, conflict resolution, and negotiating skills. Must be self-directed, and able to use sound decision making. Must have effective interpersonal skills with patients, families, physicians, and other health care team members; and be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people at various levels within and outside the MFA. Must be capable and willing to accept new challenges, including developing programs from start to finish. Must be able to maintain confidentiality.