Certified Anesthesia Technician (Travel)

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Anesthesia Technician is responsible for providing comprehensive support to anesthesia providers in the operating room and other clinical areas.
• This role encompasses preoperative preparation, intraoperative support, postoperative duties, emergency response, and general maintenance of anesthesia equipment and supplies to ensure safe and efficient patient care.
• The technician must possess strong technical knowledge of anesthesia machines, monitoring systems, and sterile techniques while being able to respond quickly and effectively to clinical needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Preoperative Duties:

• Prepare and set up anesthesia equipment, including ventilators, patient monitors, and infusion pumps, ensuring all devices are calibrated and operational.
• Assemble and test anesthesia machines, checking for leaks, pressure irregularities, and proper function of all components.
• Prepare and organize necessary medications, IV solutions, and airway management tools under supervision.
• Check and restock anesthesia supply carts with essential items, including syringes, circuits, masks, and drugs, ensuring all are within expiration dates.
• Maintain stock levels for transport equipment, including:.
• Oxygen masks.
• Nasal cannulas.
• Oxygen tanks.
• IV fluids and tubing.
• Ensure all equipment and supplies meet sterile and safety standards, conducting routine quality control checks.

2. Intraoperative Support:

• Assist anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and CAAs with patient positioning and airway management, ensuring proper alignment and safety.
• Provide direct support in intubation and extubation procedures, including preparing laryngoProducts, endotracheal tubes, and securing airway devices.
• Monitor and troubleshoot anesthesia equipment during surgery, immediately addressing any malfunctions or alerts.
• Assist with blood transfusions and intraoperative medication administration by preparing necessary equipment and verifying medication labels.
• Manage and handle specialized monitoring devices, ensuring accurate readings and continuous patient observation.
• Facilitate rapid and efficient room turnovers by:.
• Cleaning and disinfecting anesthesia workspaces.
• Wiping down anesthesia machines, including cords and touch surfaces.
• Changing circuits and disposing of used ones properly.
• Closing fresh gas valves and gas analyzers to prevent leaks.
• Cleaning and restocking anesthesia carts.
• Cleaning IV poles, hotline boxes, and Bair Hugger units.
• Checking and ensuring suction setups are operational.
• Restocking necessary supplies after each case promptly and efficiently.

3. Postoperative Duties:

• Clean, disinfect, and restock used anesthesia equipment according to hospital protocols and infection control guidelines.
• Assist with patient recovery and transfer post-surgery, ensuring all equipment is properly removed and accounted for.
• Safely dispose of used materials, including biohazardous waste, according to hospital and regulatory policies.
• Document equipment maintenance, stock usage, and any equipment malfunctions to ensure proper tracking and accountability.

4. Emergency Response:

• Provide immediate assistance in emergency situations such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or difficult airway cases.
• Rapidly supply necessary emergency equipment, including crash carts, defibrillators, and advanced airway devices.
• Support resuscitation efforts by assisting with manual ventilation, medication preparation, and securing IV access.
• Maintain readiness by ensuring emergency carts and supplies are fully stocked and functional at all times.

5. Monitoring Equipment Management:

• Identify, set up, and troubleshoot various monitoring components, including:.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG).
• Non-invasive and invasive blood pressure monitors.
• Pulse oximetry (SPO2).
• Temperature monitoring devices.
• Arterial and central venous pressure transducers.
• Capnography (CO2 monitoring).
• Assist in zeroing invasive monitoring lines and ensuring proper waveform interpretation.
• Provide transport monitors with the appropriate cables for continued patient observation during movement.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on malfunctioning monitors and escalate issues when necessary.

6. Anesthesia Gas Machine Management:

• Troubleshoot and maintain anesthesia gas machines, ensuring proper function of:.
• Compressed medical gases.
• Flowmeters and vaporizers.
• Ventilator systems.
• Scavenger system for waste gas removal.
• Breathing circuits and reservoir bags.
• Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) valves.
• Calibration and absorber system changes.
• Oxygen monitoring and sensor functionality.
• Suction setups and connections.
• Conduct daily quality control measures, including:.
• Machine self-checks.
• Leak testing.
• Inspection and adjustment of all valves.
• Sodalime replacement when exhausted.

7. Sterile Field Preparation and Maintenance:

• Adhere to strict sterile techniques as per AORN guidelines.
• Assist anesthesia providers in establishing and maintaining a sterile field during line placements and surgical procedures.
• Demonstrate proper gowning, gloving, and patient draping techniques.
• Maintain awareness of the sterile field and navigate the OR environment without contamination.

8. Intravenous Therapy Support:

• Prepare and manage hotline setups for blood and fluid warming, ensuring proper tubing connections and temperature regulation.
• Assist with arterial and central line placements by:.
• Providing correct catheters, sterile gauze, and additional supplies.
• Assisting in “zeroing” transducer lines.
• Ensuring ultrasound availability for guided placement.
• Set up and manage hotline and cell saver systems for fluid and blood conservation during major procedures.

9. Stock and Supply Management:

• Maintain anesthesia supply levels across ORs and emergency carts.
• Regularly restock mobile anesthesia carts, including:.
• Travel carts.
• Pediatric carts.
• Regional block carts.
• Standard OR anesthesia carts.

10. Mobile Case Support:

• Assist anesthesia providers in off-site cases by preparing necessary supplies and equipment.
• Ensure knowledge of anesthesia gas machine locations and gas outlet connections at mobile sites, including:.
• Cardiac cath lab.
• MRI.
• Interventional radiology.
• CT scan.
• ICU.
• Labor & delivery (OB).

11. Induction/Intubation Assistance:

• Prepare and set up all necessary intubation equipment, including:.
• Endotracheal tubes (ETTs).
• Laryngeal mask airways (LMAs).
• LaryngoProducts and fiberoptic Products.
• Magills forceps.
• Video laryngoProduct systems (e.g., GlideProduct).
• Assist with difficult airway cases and provide size-appropriate supplies.
• Perform cricoid pressure when required.

12. Pediatric Anesthesia Support:

• Operate and maintain specialized pediatric anesthesia equipment, such as:.
• Pediatric GlideProduct.
• Syringe pumps for precise medication administration.
• Buretrol IV setups.
• Assist in pediatric IV placement, induction, and airway management.
• Ensure pediatric patients receive appropriately sized equipment, including:.
• Blood pressure cuffs.
• Pulse oximeters.
• Laryngeal blades and ET tubes.

13. General Responsibilities:

• Maintain compliance with hospital safety protocols and regulatory standards.
• Keep up-to-date with advancements in anesthesia technology and procedures.
• Train and mentor new anesthesia technicians and OR staff in equipment use and maintenance.
• Respond promptly to anesthesia personnel requests for supplies, support, or emergency interventions.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of anesthesia equipment, procedures, and sterile techniques.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and minor maintenance of anesthesia machines and monitoring systems.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Certification as an Anesthesia Technician required.
• BLS/ACLS certification preferred.