Job Summary

The job responsibilities for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists at Lexington Medical Center must be performed under medical supervision. CRNAs provide anesthesia services for all patients from birth through geriatrics. Anesthesia services are provided for all types of patients incorporating pre-anesthesia, intra-op anesthesia, post anesthesia and emergency airway intervention.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: None.
Minimum Years of Experience: None.
Substitutable Education & Experience: None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: Current RN licensed in the state of South Carolina;
Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the state of South Carolina;
Board certified by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Council on Certification;
ACLS and PALS certifications.
Required Training: None.

Essential Functions

• Qualified nurse anesthetists must be able to provide anesthesia care under the direction of a supervising anesthesiologist who has been granted privileges at Lexington Medical Center.
• A CRNA may administer a regional anesthetic only with permission from the attending anesthesiologist.
• The nurse anesthetist may exercise independent judgment within the area of his/her professional competence and may participation directly in the medical management of patients under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or a specified physician. The nurse anesthetist may perform the following medically delegated tasks:
  • General Anesthesia and Analgesia
    • Pre-operative preparation and evaluation
    • Intravenous agents
    • Inhalation agents
    • Intramuscular agents
    • Post-operative evaluation
  • Regional Anesthesia
    • Infiltration
    • Intravenous
    • Upper extremity blocks
    • Lower extremity blocks
  • Procedures
    • Intravenous catheter replacement
    • Intravenous administration of: fluids, blood, plasma, plasma expanders, muscle relaxants, vasoactive drugs
    • Placement of arterial lines
    • Mechanical ventilation
    • Resuscitative techniques and therapy
• Performs and documents pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient.
• Consults with attending Anesthesiologist regarding plan of care
• Performs complete safety and working order check of all anesthesia equipment prior to initiating an anesthetic.
• Selects and applies appropriate monitoring for continuous evaluation of patient status.
• Selects and administers appropriate drugs, fluids, and supplies for the safe conduction of anesthesia.
• Manages the patient airway and pulmonary status using current practice modalities
• Facilitates smooth induction, case management, and emergence from anesthesia by selecting and administering appropriate drugs, fluids, and airway management techniques
• Initiates necessary intravenous access lines including arterial lines appropriate for case management

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds appropriately to emergency conditions and situations making appropriate decisions for airway management, fluid, and drug administration
• Provides accurate report to licensed personnel appropriate for their field of expertise for the safe maintenance and or recovery of the patient
• Provides accurate report to license personnel appropriate for their field of expertise for the safe maintenance and or recovery of the patient
• Actively participates in post anesthesia assessment and department quality assurance program
• Follows the current scope and standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Follows the current Code of Ethics of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Follows Department and Hospital policies
• Presents to work in an appropriate and timely fashion
• Follows hospital policy for meeting service expectations providing courteous and respectful treatment of all customers including but not limited to: co-workers, patients, families, medical personnel, and vendors
• Follows hospital and departmental Anesthesia and Surgery dress code policy displaying a non-defaced badge and professional attire to include but not limited to: clean scrubs, appropriate head wear or cap, and removing shoe covers and masks prior to leaving the perioperative area.
• Employee understands, agrees, and recognizes that the department functions in a 24-hour, 7-day a week capacity and that there is an off-shift and call provision and staff obligation to meet department needs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.