A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has acquired Masters level education and Nursing Board certification in anesthesia. Under the CMS-defined Medical Direction model, the CRNA collaborates with the Anesthesiologist as part of the Anesthesia Care Team in assessing, planning and conducting an anesthetic, as well as recovering our perioperative patients from their anesthetic experience. The CRNA performs their role in a wide variety of patient-care settings, including surgical, obstetric and endoscopy. The CRNA practices within the professional standards set forth in the Arizona Nurse Practice Act and the scope of practice outlined in the NAH clinical privilege and credentialing guidelines as well as the respective department of anesthesiology policies.
Preoperative Anesthetic Assessment
* Performs an anesthesia-focused patient physical exam and history.* Reviews previous anesthetic records, along with most recent lab and diagnostic studies.* Reviews current list of medications, allergic reactions and other drug use.* Considers risk/benefit profile for each anesthetic choice and discusses with Anesthesiologist.* Participates in the informed consent process as part of the Anesthesia Care Team. Airway Management
* Maintains adequate oxygenation and ventilation in our anesthetized patients.* Utilizes specific airway management skills including tracheal intubation, supraglottic airway and mask ventilation, while preventing aspiration of gastric contents.
Pharmacology of Anesthesia
* Maintains current understanding and best practice for managing pharmacologic agents in the delivery of anesthesia, to include inhaled anesthetic agents, IV analgesics, induction agents, neuromuscular blockers and reversal agents.* Maintains knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with regard to dosage administration and side-effect profile.
Intraoperative and Post-Operative Monitoring and Recovery
* Utilizes current best practice in patient monitoring techniques and emergence from anesthesia.
Compliance/Safety
* Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.* If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.
EducationHigh School Diploma or GED- Required Master's Degree in Nursing- Required Post Master's certification from a COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program- Required Certifications and LicensureCurrent Arizona unrestricted RN license and Prescribing license- Required Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)- Required ExperienceHealthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.