Anesthesia Tech

Job Summary

The Anesthesia Technician functions as an assistant to members of the anesthesia staff (Anesthesiologists and CRNAs) to facilitate and support delivery of perioperative care to the patient by the Anesthesia Team. The Anesthesia Technician will also assure the practice of the Patient and Family Centered Care Model in an environment that exemplifies best practice.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates in the perioperative anesthesia care of patients to ensure safety and efficiency of care as observed by the members of the anesthesia team, and reports to the Nurse Manager of the Operating Room and the Chief of Anesthesia.
• Participates in the transfer of patients from stretcher/bed.
• Attaches vital signs and related monitoring devices to the patient.
• Collaborates with the Surgical Team in positioning of patients for special procedures (spinal, epidural, sitting, prone).
• Participates in the intubation procedure under the direction and supervision of the anesthetist/anesthesiologist by preparing and holding equipment and applying cricoid pressure to the trachea.
• Collaborates in the safe, efficient transfer of the patient from the operating room to the PACU by having transfer oxygen and ambu bag available immediately post operatively.
• Performs related duties in a prompt and courteous manner, such as transporting blood samples to respiratory for blood gases.
• Maintains appropriate supply of anesthesia equipment and pharmaceutical supplies in all locations where anesthesia and related procedures are administered in the hospital to facilitate prompt anesthesia care for the patient.
• Coordinates requests from the anesthesia team by collecting items needed during each surgical procedure.
• Maintains par levels of gas tanks for the anesthesia units (machines).
• Maintains anesthesia equipment/monitoring units in working condition communicating with the biomedical department and/or equipment service representatives to insure availability of equipment.
• Executes equipment repairs within 24 hours to ensure patient safety and continuance of planned schedule of surgical procedures.
• Monitors a log of daily anesthesia equipment safety checks, performed by anesthesia technician, and documented appropriately, to comply with safety requirements established by the hospital, accreditation requisites and regulatory agencies.
• Assists the Nurse Manager by completing purchase requisitions for needed items when par levels are affected.
• Maintains all equipment and instrumentation in clean organized condition in accordance to the hospital infection management policy.
• Maintains cleanliness of all anesthesia carts and machines.
• Maintains appropriately special instruments and equipment, i.e. fiberoptic bronchoscope, endtidal, CO2 monitors, humidifiers, etc.
• Operates STERIS machine and sterilizers according to operational standards.
• Participates in the special cleaning and/or removal and terminal sterilization of equipment exposed to diagnosed contagious diseases.
• Participates in quality assurance activities for the operating room and the Department of Anesthesia upon request.
• Collects data as required by the quality assurance criteria determined by the Chief of Anesthesia and/or Nurse Manager.

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent required. Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? No.

Experience: 6 months Hospital experience required. Previous Anesthesia Tech Experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Staff adheres to all I C.A.R.E. Standards.
• Check all anesthesia equipment in the proper working condition.
• Maintain par levels of supplies in Anesthesia Cart.
• Maintain cleanliness of Anesthesia equipment and workroom per Infection Control policy.