Job Description

The Anesthesia Technician identifies specific needs of the patient and anesthesia care provider in relation to anesthesia supplies needed prior, during and after surgical intervention under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist. The technician assists with patient care in accordance with individual patient needs, physician orders, Hospital policy, and standards of patient care.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Maintains Post Anesthesia Recovery (PAR) levels of anesthesia supplies, orders supply as needed; communicates supply issues to anesthesia personnel.

• Reviews the Operating Room (OR) schedule for equipment needs.

• Sets up OR for the anesthesiologist. Calibrates monitoring devices.

• Assists the anesthesiologist with preparation of anesthesia equipment for every procedure. Helps with turnover of the OR.

• Assists the anesthesiologist with the insertion of IV’s and arterial lines. Maintains sterility at all times. Attaches arterial lines to transducers and calibrates monitors.

• Properly labels and takes arterial blood gases and other blood specimens to the Clinical Laboratory. Records results in the patient’s medical record.

• Responsible for the cleaning, routine maintenance and repair of anesthesia equipment. May set-up other equipment such as blood warmers, hypothermia blanket, etc.

• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

• Checks all resuscitative equipment prior to the beginning of the first surgery of the day. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to the Director of Anesthesia and the Director of Perioperative Services immediately.

• Checks all equipment and agents to be used in the administration of the anesthesia to assure safe working order. Reports all malfunctioning equipment to the Director of Anesthesia and the Director of Perioperative Services immediately.

• Applies aseptic techniques in daily work assignments. Performs general cleaning of department surface areas, racks, shelves, storage cabinets and all storage areas.

• Responsible for surgical data entry in the OR Surgical Data Management System.

• Responsible for assisting with the cleaning and processing of surgical instrumentation on an as needed basis during levels of high surgical productivity.

• Performs tray assemblage, proper packaging and preparation of all applicable supplies for sterilization. Monitors sterility dates on supplies.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Vocational/Technical Diploma, Vocational diploma (Minimum)

Work Experience:

• 2 years of Anesthesia Technician experience (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications:

• CPR certification (Minimum)