Anesthesia And Perfusion Assistant

The Primary Purpose of this job is to provide assistance to the Anesthesia and Perfusion Services departments by performing various tasks involving the setting up of the cardiac OR suites with necessary supplies, setting up pressure monitoring lines and pressure monitoring line trays, providing assistance to Anesthesia personnel as needed, providing assistance to Perfusionists as needed and by stocking the mini-core with Perfusion supplies, assisting with preparing cell savers for QC, pacemaker battery changes, and assisting with preventive maintenance of heater-cooler machines.

• Determine the appropriate centrifuge bowl size for the procedure
• Correctly set-up the disposables onto the machine
• Determine and prepare the appropriate anti-coagulant
• Review the patient chart for necessary and relevant patient information
• Determine if there are contra-indications to autotransfusion from the patient chart information
• Using the devices, correctly process the collected blood
• Correctly label the processed blood
• Correctly complete the patient Auto-Transfusion Record
• Perform periodic quality control testing on the cell washer machines
• Enter the appropriate patient charges for Auto-Transfusion procedure
• Ensure that the order for "Auto-Transfusion" is entered in the chart

• Don PPE and perform sterile set up for all line insertions
• Assist anesthesia provider with insertion of introducers and catheters ensuring appropriate supplies, fluids, solutions and local medications are available and ready for use.
• Ensure all monitoring equipment is assembled, prepared and in good working order for hemodynamic monitoring
• Assist with securing and dressing invasive catheters as needed
• Establish and maintain par levels for all anesthesia supplies utilized in the CVOR's; work with purchasing and sales representatives for supply procurement.
• Coordinate regular maintenance for all anesthesia equipment with clinical engineering.
• Participate / facilitate room turnover procedures ensuring efficient, effective and safe patient care.
• Assist the CVOR team with delivery and procurement of labs and blood products as directed.

Ultrasound equipment:
Assemble probe cover, gel and printing capability for line placement. Assemble and assist with their usage as directed by the ACT.

Video laryngoscopy equipment. Assemble and assist with usage as directed by the ACT.

Fiber optic equipment. Assemble and assist with usage as directed by the ACT.

Difficult airway patients:
Procure, maintain, assemble, and assist with equipment and supplies, including fiber optic, jet ventilation, video, specialty tubes, laser tubes, micro endotracheal tube (ETT), endotracheal tube exchangers/intubating stylets and laryngeal mask airway (LMA's) as directed by the anesthesia care team.

Massive transfusion:
Assemble and assist with usage as directed by the anesthesia care team all equipment for massive transfusion. Includes assembly of the appropriate disposable cassette, filter system and proper infusion tubing for a rapid transfuser. Assemble general blood administration tubing.

Emergency situations arising in any location the OR or in the hospital at large (e.g. ER, patient rooms):
All anesthesia technicians are BLS certified and are expected to assist with chest compressions if requested as well as assist with their other duties. Other duties include securing TEE capability, ultrasound, emergency line placement, emergency intubations and/or difficult airway, MH resuscitation, lab draws, blood administration and any other duties as directed by the ACT.

Computer system, network issues both with hard wire connections and cabling are first addressed by anesthesia technicians and then directed to clinical engineering.

Bedside assistance:
Assist a member of the ACT and CVOR teams in providing patient care including but not limited to the moving of the patient, IV and pressure lines, ventilation tubing, infusion pumps and oxygen circuits. They may assist an ACT member by opening sterile supplies or trays.

Patient transport:
Assist the ACT and CVOR teams in transportation of patients that requires the transportation of emergency equipment or ongoing resuscitation. This is often an extension of care involving emergency situations. Assist with assembly of anesthesia equipment in the new location while the patient remains under anesthesia.