Anesthesia Care Assistant

Work requires general knowledge of anesthesia practices and aseptic technique needed to organize, stock, set-up, and clean anesthesia equipment, work areas, and inventory locations.

Follows Perioperative Services and Anesthesia’s departmental / regulatory standards in the completion of assigned tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND / OR LICENSURE :

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent.

2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

EXPERIENCE :

1. One (1) year of nursing assistant and / or patient care experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND / OR LICENSURE :

1. Graduate of an approved school of Anesthesia Technology, Surgical Technology, or Respiratory Therapy.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.

They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Follows general principles of aseptic technique in the completion of assigned work tasks. Ensures proper disposal of one-time use items.

May set up disposable supplies for sterile anesthesia field.

2. Monitors the inventory of consumable supplies. Ensures that the anesthesia carts are stocked with disposable supplies and the anesthesia area is clean, uncluttered, and ready for next day use.

Reprocesses reusable supplies.

3. Checks expiration dates of disposable supplies and rotates stock for earliest expiration date use.

4. Performs anesthesia post case cleaning. At end of day terminally cleans and dusts anesthesia equipment returning cleaned equipment to its designated storage location.

5. Ensures basic anesthesia equipment is available in each anesthetic location including emergency airway equipment (i.e.

Ambu bags, working blades, etc.). Assists anesthesia providers with intubations and other procedures by acquiring requested supplies, instruments, and equipment (does not include the set-up and spiking of IV fluids).

6. Cleans up a hazardous spill ensuring SDS sheets are followed. Completes required incident documentation.

7. Transports mobile anesthesia carts to scheduled patient care locations. May assist anesthesia provider with patient transport and positioning.

May transport mobile cart’s medication tray to and from Pharmacy.

8. Sets up suction devices. Switches out anesthesia machine tanks and recording paper when needed. Confirms anesthesia equipment is available for CRNA / resident / MD including confirming power / gas sources & electrical cords are in proper working order;

notifying Biomed & hands-on provider of concerns related to equipment & patient safety

i.e. loose sockets); and ensuring anesthesia equipment is properly cleaned prior to patient care & appropriately connected to emergency power outlets.

9. Drains and reconnects hoses. Checks and changes soda sorb.

10. Informs appropriate persons of equipment issues and potential problems. Recognizes need for repair and initiates repair actions.

Maintains an equipment repair log and equipment loaner book.

11. Stocks IV bins and utilizes anesthesia exchange carts to stock anesthesia blue bells. Gathers and stages anesthesia supplies in procedural areas based on procedure types and patient ages.

12.Assumes responsibility for answering anesthesia pages during workday.

13. Prepares equipment and scopes according to manufacturers’ IFU’s.

14. Transports lab specimens and blood as needed.

15. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) may have limited access to medications including transport of non-controlled substances and MH kit at the request of a licensed care provider.

16. Partnering with new hire and role modeling scope of practice, assists with an orientee’s duties’ training.

17. Performs patient glucose and hemoglobin testing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. No known history of malignant hyperthermia.

2. Ability to wear and work in protective gear.

3. Capability of prolonged periods of standing and walking.

4. Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and push / pull heavy loaded carts.

5. Possess visual and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability; able to hear audible alarms.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

1. Ability to follow directions, both written and verbal, and work with people.

2. Ability to utilize manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFUs) for equipment operation and cleaning.

3. Ability to perform work functions in an operating room providing patient care.

4. Ability to prioritize assignment completion.