Anesthesia Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Anesthesia Technician assists with direct patient care activities, supporting the Anesthesia Providers during delivery of anesthesia.
• Working in the operating room, the incumbent provides technical services to the anesthesiologist including blood analysis, patient care equipment set-up and inspection, and assistance with basic patient care procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assists the anesthesia providers with intubation procedures: placing anesthesia-related patient monitors, patient positioning, correctly applies cricoid pressure, may be asked to manually ventilate a patient, and any and all other skills asked by an anesthesia provider.
• Assists in peripheral IV, arterial, central venous, and Swan-Ganz catheter placement using appropriate sterile technique.
• Configures monitors for optimal numeric data and waveform interpretation.
• Assists with the monitoring and transport of patients with established invasive lines or ventilation needs to and from the operating room.
• Supports the philosophy and policies and procedures of client, the Patient Care Division, the Department of surgery and the Department of Anesthesiology, incorporating them into clinical and administrative practice.
• Connects and performs basic functions of various anesthesia equipment including: TEE, BIS, cerebral oximeters, rapid infusers, blood gas analyzers, fiberoptic bronClientroducts, cell salvage blood recovery system, transport ventilators, ClearSight and FlowTrac, and anesthesia machines.
• Troubleshooting is performed under the guidance of a senior or lead anesthesia tech.
• Attends, participates, and maintains annual competencies related to all anesthesia equipment.
• Performs cell salvage and transfusion duties per competency standards.
• Remains alert to any abnormal conditions as they arise within the surgical environment and participates in any clinical support required.
• In the event of an anesthesia equipment malfunction or failure, the anesthesia tech will alert a senior anesthesia tech or lead anesthesia tech to troubleshoot the problem.
• Performs blood analysis such as blood gases, electrolytes, glucose, hematocrit, activated clotting time (ACT), and thromboelastography (TEG), and urine pregnancy tests.
• Draws arterial and venous blood samples for lab analysis.
• Correctly labels and distributes samples to appropriate laboratory.
• Accurately transcribes all lab results on appropriate documents and properly files documentation.
• Reviews blood lab values and if necessary, alerts the ordering attending physician of abnormal values that may require intervention.
• Documents values per department policy.
• Performs inspection, testing and cleaning of patient care equipment.
• Ensures that assigned periodicals are completed on a monthly basis. Attends and actively participates in daily team huddles and monthly meetings.
• Rounds on assigned rooms at the beginning and at least one other time during shift.
• Turns over and finals rooms as soon as possible with a team approach.
• Distributes supplies during room turnovers and finals.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of patient related care experience.
• Completion of two (2) years as an Anesthesia aide along with one (1) year of Anesthesia tech progression training.

Required Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.

Preferred Education:

• Associate degree from an accredited allied health field.

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (BLS) or an AHA approved equivalent.