Anesthesia Technician – Surgery Center

Major Responsibilities:

• Sets up monitoring equipment in the operating room. This includes the operating table, autotransfusion system, electrocardiograph (ECG) and temperature cables, hyper/hypothermia blanket, medication and pressure manifolds, rapid infusion warmer, recorders, defibrillators, the patient monitoring system, and transesophageal echocardiography imaging unit (TEE) machines.
• During surgical procedures, assists in the insertion of arterial pressure lines, central venous and Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, draws arterial and/or venous blood samples for diagnostic testing, checks ventilators for proper operating efficiency, operates monitor and recording systems, and identifies the various types of intubation blades and fiberoptic bronchoscopes as well as any other special equipment or supplies required for difficult intubation.
• Calibrates all pressures and recording systems within the patient monitoring system to ensure and maintain precise readings.
• Assists in transfers of patients to and from the operating room, collects all data sheets and transports them with the patient, and establishes ECG and pressure monitoring at the destination.
• Cleans all non-disposable equipment after each procedure, performs daily maintenance checks and stocks equipment.
• Moves anesthesia equipment to proper surgical suite; checks equipment to verify proper connections, gases turned off, etc.
• Maintains adequate supply of proper equipment such as: needles, syringes, air-ways, endotracheal tube (ET) tubes, scopes and blade, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and other necessary items in anesthesia carts.
• Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions or failures and takes all necessary steps to promptly return the equipment to a safe and reliable operating condition, using backup equipment when necessary.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• High School Graduate.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 1 year of experience in a surgical, medical or related healthcare setting.

Preferred Experience:

• Previous Anesthesia Technician experience in a hospital or surgery center.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Exposed to chemical and radiation hazards and as a result protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
• Must stand the majority of the workday, as well as sit, walk, and lift throughout.
• Must be able to:
• lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Working atmosphere may contain fumes and odors from Operating Room (OR).

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.