Travel: Certified Anesthesia Technician-DAYS

Shift: DAYS/6A-2:30P

Rate:***/hr

Licenses and Requirements:

1. Certification as an Anesthesia Technician required.
2. BLS/ACLS via AHA certification preferred.

ASAP Start

Blocked scheduling accommodated:

No

Weekend Requirement:

No

On Call Requirement:

No

Floating Requirement / Locations:

No

Job Summary: The Anesthesia Technician is responsible for providing comprehensive support to anesthesia providers in the operating room and other clinical areas. This role encompasses preoperative preparation, intraoperative support, postoperative duties, emergency response, and general maintenance of anesthesia equipment and supplies to ensure safe and efficient patient care. The technician must possess strong technical knowledge of anesthesia machines, monitoring systems, and sterile techniques while being able to respond quickly and effectively to clinical needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Preoperative Duties

1. Prepare and set up anesthesia equipment, including ventilators, patient monitors, and infusion pumps, ensuring all devices are calibrated and operational.
2. Assemble and test anesthesia machines, checking for leaks, pressure irregularities, and proper function of all components.
3. Prepare and organize necessary medications, IV solutions, and airway management tools under supervision.
4. Check and restock anesthesia supply carts with essential items, including syringes, circuits, masks, and drugs, ensuring all are within expiration dates.
5. Maintain stock levels for transport equipment, including:
6. Oxygen masks
7. Nasal cannulas
8. Oxygen tanks
9. IV fluids and tubing
10. Ensure all equipment and supplies meet sterile and safety standards, conducting routine quality control checks.

2. Intraoperative Support

1. Assist anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and CAAs with patient positioning and airway management, ensuring proper alignment and safety.
2. Provide direct support in intubation and extubation procedures, including preparing laryngoProducts, endotracheal tubes, and securing airway devices.
3. Monitor and troubleshoot anesthesia equipment during surgery, immediately addressing any malfunctions or alerts.
4. Assist with blood transfusions and intraoperative medication administration by preparing necessary equipment and verifying medication labels.
5. Manage and handle specialized monitoring devices, ensuring accurate readings and continuous patient observation.
6. Facilitate rapid and efficient room turnovers by:
7. Cleaning and disinfecting anesthesia workspaces
8. Wiping down anesthesia machines, including cords and touch surfaces
9. Changing circuits and disposing of used ones properly
10. Closing fresh gas valves and gas analyzers to prevent leaks
11. Cleaning and restocking anesthesia carts
12. Cleaning IV poles, hotline boxes, and Bair Hugger units.
13. Checking and ensuring suction setups are operational
14. Restocking necessary supplies after each case promptly and efficiently

3. Postoperative Duties

1. Clean, disinfect, and restock used anesthesia equipment according to hospital protocols and infection control guidelines.
2. Assist with patient recovery and transfer post-surgery, ensuring all equipment is properly removed and accounted for.
3. Safely dispose of used materials, including biohazardous waste, according to hospital and regulatory policies.
4. Document equipment maintenance, stock usage, and any equipment malfunctions to ensure proper tracking and accountability.

4. Emergency Response

1. Provide immediate assistance in emergency situations such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or difficult airway cases.
2. Rapidly supply necessary emergency equipment, including crash carts, defibrillators, and advanced airway devices.
3. Support resuscitation efforts by assisting with manual ventilation, medication preparation, and securing IV access.
4. Maintain readiness by ensuring emergency carts and supplies are fully stocked and functional at all times.

5. Monitoring Equipment Management

1. Identify, set up, and troubleshoot various monitoring components, including:
2. Electrocardiogram (EKG)
3. Non-invasive and invasive blood pressure monitors
4. Pulse oximetry (SPO2)
5. Temperature monitoring devices
6. Arterial and central venous pressure transducers
7. Capnography (CO2 monitoring)
8. Assist in zeroing invasive monitoring lines and ensuring proper waveform interpretation.
9. Provide transport monitors with the appropriate cables for continued patient observation during movement.
10. Perform basic troubleshooting on malfunctioning monitors and escalate issues when necessary.

6. Anesthesia Gas Machine Management

1. Troubleshoot and maintain anesthesia gas machines, ensuring proper function of:
2. Compressed medical gases
3. Flowmeters and vaporizers
4. Ventilator systems
5. Scavenger system for waste gas removal
6. Breathing circuits and reservoir bags
7. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) valves
8. Calibration and absorber system changes
9. Oxygen monitoring and sensor functionality
10. Suction setups and connections
11. Conduct daily quality control measures, including:
12. Machine self-checks
13. Leak testing
14. Inspection and adjustment of all valves
15. Sodalime replacement when exhausted

7. Sterile Field Preparation and Maintenance

1. Adhere to strict sterile techniques as per AORN guidelines.
2. Assist anesthesia providers in establishing and maintaining a sterile field during line placements and surgical procedures.
3. Demonstrate proper gowning, gloving, and patient draping techniques.
4. Maintain awareness of the sterile field and navigate the OR environment without contamination.

8. Intravenous Therapy Support

1. Prepare and manage hotline setups for blood and fluid warming, ensuring proper tubing connections and temperature regulation.
2. Assist with arterial and central line placements by:
3. Providing correct catheters, sterile gauze, and additional supplies
4. Assisting in "zeroing" transducer lines
5. Ensuring ultrasound availability for guided placement
6. Set up and manage hotline and cell saver systems for fluid and blood conservation during major procedures.

9. Stock and Supply Management

1. Maintain anesthesia supply levels across ORs and emergency carts.
2. Regularly restock mobile anesthesia carts, including:
3. Travel carts
4. Pediatric carts
5. Regional block carts
6. Standard OR anesthesia carts

10. Mobile Case Support

1. Assist anesthesia providers in off-site cases by preparing necessary supplies and equipment.
2. Ensure knowledge of anesthesia gas machine locations and gas outlet connections at mobile sites, including:
3. Cardiac cath lab
4. MRI
5. Interventional radiology
6. CT scan
7. ICU
8. Labor & delivery (OB)

11. Induction/Intubation Assistance

1. Prepare and set up all necessary intubation equipment, including:
2. Endotracheal tubes (ETTs)
3. Laryngeal mask airways (LMAs)
4. LaryngoProducts and fiberoptic Products
5. Magills forceps
6. Video laryngoProduct systems (e.g., GlideProduct)
7. Assist with difficult airway cases and provide size-appropriate supplies.
8. Perform cricoid pressure when required.

12. Pediatric Anesthesia Support

1. Operate and maintain specialized pediatric anesthesia equipment, such as:
2. Pediatric GlideProduct
3. Syringe pumps for precise medication administration
4. Buretrol IV setups
5. Assist in pediatric IV placement, induction, and airway management.
6. Ensure pediatric patients receive appropriately sized equipment, including:
7. Blood pressure cuffs
8. Pulse oximeters
9. Laryngeal blades and ET tubes

13. General Responsibilities

1. Maintain compliance with hospital safety protocols and regulatory standards.
2. Keep up-to-date with advancements in anesthesia technology and procedures.
3. Train and mentor new anesthesia technicians and OR staff in equipment use and maintenance.
4. Respond promptly to anesthesia personnel requests for supplies, support, or emergency interventions.

Qualifications & Skills:

1. Strong understanding of anesthesia equipment, procedures, and sterile techniques.
2. Proficiency in troubleshooting and minor maintenance of anesthesia machines and monitoring systems.
3. Excellent organizational, time-management, and communication skills.
4. Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
5. Certification as an Anesthesia Technician required.
6. BLS/ACLS certification preferred.