Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; CRNA

Overview

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) role at Central Maine Healthcare.

• Demonstrates ability to administer all types of anesthesia, including general, regional, local and intravenous sedation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient, neonate through geriatric.
• Documents pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including all appropriate lab values, study results, consultative information and pre-anesthesia clinical history.
• Demonstrates ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient or family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Documents evidence of informing patient of all risks, potential complications, options and alternatives to anesthesia. Verifies informed consent.
• Develops, implements and documents an anesthetic plan of care, prior to providing anesthesia. Documents planned anesthesia selection for the patient.
• Performs an assessment immediately prior to induction of anesthesia of the patient and documents this in the medical record.
• Maintains the patient’s physiologic homeostasis and corrects abnormal responses to the anesthesia and/or surgery, should these occur.
• Collects and interprets patient physiological data by selecting, applying or inserting noninvasive monitoring modalities.
• Displays ability to intubate most patients with ease, manages the patient’s airway and pulmonary status through the perioperative process.
• Performs a smooth induction of anesthesia for patients requiring general anesthetic.
• Performs smooth patient emergence and recovery from anesthesia by maintaining homeostasis, providing relief from pain and anesthesia side effects.
• Prevents and manages complications through selecting, obtaining, ordering and administering medications, fluids or ventilator support in correct dosages and methods.
• Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Stays with the patient as long as required by the patient's condition relative to his/her anesthesia status and until responsibility for proper patient care has been assumed by other qualified individuals.
• Advises staff responsible for post anesthesia care of specific problems related to patient’s condition.
• Records all pertinent events taking place during the induction of, maintenance of and emergence from anesthesia, including the dosage and duration of all anesthetic agents, other drugs, intravenous fluids and blood/blood components on all patients that have received anesthesia care.
• Documents at least one post anesthetic note while the patient is in the surgical suite or PACU.
• Displays assertive behavior, discussing with the Chief of Anesthesia, supervising anesthesiologist or operating surgeon situations where administering anesthesia may place the patient’s life in jeopardy. Declines to administer an anesthetic to any patient in the instance where he/she feels the anesthesia may pose a threat of loss of life or undue and/or unwarranted risk to the patient.
• Provides follow-up evaluation and care related to anesthesia complications and/or side effects.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patient and family.
• Documents all narcotic usage and performs narcotic double counts as required by organizational policy and procedure.
• Complies with call schedule and arrives for emergency cases within the time frame defined by organizational policies and procedures.
• Responds to emergency situations requiring anesthesia services, knowledge or technique throughout the organization.
• Checks all resuscitative equipment prior to the beginning of the first surgery of the day. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to the Chief of Anesthesia and the Surgical Services Nurse Manager immediately.
• Checks all equipment and agents to be used in the administration of the anesthetic to assure safe working order.…