Anesthesia Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• To assist licensed anesthesia providers in the acquisition, preparation and application of the equipment and supplies required for the administration of anesthesia.
• In this role they contribute to safe and efficient anesthesia care.
• They provide support to anesthesia in routine and complex surgical cases.
• Provide service by preparing and maintain patient monitoring devices and anesthesia delivery systems before, during and after anesthesia.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists anesthesiologist with preparation and placement of brain and nerve function monitors.
• Assists with induction by connecting patient to monitors.
• Assists with intubation.
• Assists with the maintenance of patient’s airway.
• Assists with the insertion of IVs and other invasive lines.
• Assists anesthesiologist during cases inside and outside of the operating room.
• Assists and anticipates needs of anesthesiologist in invasive monitor insertion and procedures such as arterial access, central venous access, fiberoptic intubation and/or difficult airway situations.
• Provides support to the patient care team throughout the case.
• Assists anesthesiologist with volume infusions as directed during intraoperative procedures.
• Prepares age-appropriate anesthesia equipment, monitors, and airway.
• Prepares IV, arterial line, fluid/blood warmer and CVP setups.
• Prepares and assembles transducer lines and equipment necessary for invasive monitoring.
• Prepares age appropriate equipment for fiber optic intubation.
• Provides troubleshooting to correct equipment problems.
• Performs complete standard Anesthesia Apparatus checkout.
• Assists with maintaining and evaluating anesthesia related equipment.
• Evaluates, prepares, and sets up equipment needed to perform out of department anesthesia procedures.
• Sets up, maintains and transports specialty devices used in the clinical area.
• Assist provider with transporting patients to and from the OR.
• Trouble-shoots and corrects monitoring equipment problems.
• Responds immediately to OR room calls that require assistance regarding supplies, pharmaceuticals, blood products, forms equipment or other items required during the surgical procedure.
• Assists in the preparation and draping of patient invasive monitoring/procedures.
• Cleans room and restocks anesthesia machine prior to the patient entering the room.
• Stocks the operating rooms, specialty carts, anesthesia carts, equipment rooms and remote anesthesia areas with disposable/reusable supplies used by anesthesia.
• Inventories and stocks anesthesia supplies consistent with departmental demands.
• Maintains an inventory of properly functioning anesthesia equipment in designated area to track repairs.
• Organizes, cleans and neatly maintains all shelves and drawers where anesthesia supplies are kept.
• Retrieves equipment and inspects for problems.
• Maintains sterile supplies within expiration date.
• Attends institutional and departmental health, safety, and infection control in-services by established deadlines.
• Assists with specific tasks as designated by department leadership.
• Adheres to JC National Patient Safety Goals.
• Serves as a mentor/ preceptor and completes preceptor training after 1 year experience.

Required Education:

• H.S. Diploma or GED.

Preferred Certifications & Licensure:

• BLS – Cert-Basic Life Support.
• CER-A-T – Cert-Cert Anesthesia TECH.
• Technical Diploma – Completion of an anesthesia technician training program approved by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT).

Required Skills & Experience:

• One (1) year healthcare experience providing patient care.
• Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary systems and infection control.
• Advanced working knowledge of equipment for anesthesia and airway management and thorough knowledge of set-up and calibration of pressure transducer and IV fluids.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge relating to anesthesia procedures in order to effectively anticipate the needs of the anesthesiologist.
• Ability to utilize and trouble shoot problems with equipment used in the administration of anesthesia.
• Ability to set priorities and accept instructions and direction from physicians or other clinical personnel.
• Demonstrate speed and timeliness in all duties, particularly in preparation for emergencies and trauma procedures.
• Must be able to communicate and work well with staff in and outside of the department.