Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

• The CRNA furnishes care related to anesthesia and pain management for individuals undergoing surgery or some type of medical procedure. This includes patients in childbirth and those with chronic pain. These nurses are also experts at critical care and airway management.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Reviews patient’s labs and history, interviews patients.
• Induces anesthesia and performs airway management
• Informs anesthesiologist and surgeons of changes in patient status
• Inserts and monitors invasive lines
• Extubates on emergence from anesthesia
• Institutes pharmacologic or supportive treatment to ensure adequate recovery from anesthesia.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in nursing.
• CRNA experience preferred but not required.
• Induces anesthesia and performs airway management, intubation. Inserts and monitors invasive lines and catheters and performs regional anesthesia and maintenance of ventilation as indicated. Extubates on emergence from anesthesia.
• National Board of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, ACLS, PALS, BLS.
• Reviews patients' labs and history, interviews patients. Informs anesthesiologist and surgeons of changes in status or any possible problems that may be faced in the perioperative period.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work may require a variety of physical activities such as standing, walking, bending, stooping.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• The work environment may be physically confining.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information with patients, family, peers and medical personnel.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.