Cardiac Anesthesia Provider

Cardiac Anesthesia Providers is a highly skilled health professional who works under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. Through mentoring and training, the provider has an advanced skillset in the management of patients with congenital heart disease in the perioperative setting. The provider works exclusively within the cardiac anesthesia care team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), specifically at the direction of cardiac anesthesiologists in cardiac surgery, catheterization lab procedures, electrophysiologic procedures, and anesthetics for cardiac patient for imaging or noncardiac procedures. Possesses a premedical background, a baccalaureate degree, and a complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school level. Trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. In addition, undergoes additional education and training to care for patients on ECMO, cardiopulmonary bypass, and ventricular assist devices. Employee work schedules are established and maintained on a fair and equitable basis to ensure optimal patient care and the safe, efficient operation of Children's National.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (required) and

Must have completed a CAAHEP accredited Anesthesiologist Assistant School. (required) and

Must have passed the Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants (administered by NCCAA in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners)/be current with recertification exam (required) or

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (required) and

Must have completed an approved nurse anesthesia graduate program, which includes 24-36 months of course work and a minimum of 800 hours of clinical experience (required) and

Complete a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or doctor of nursing anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree (required) and

Pass a national certification examination given by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (required)

Minimum Work Experience

3 years experience as Anesthesiologist Assistant (required) or

3 years experience as Nurse Anesthetist (required)

Required Licenses

Anesthesiologist Assistant - required upon hire

Registered Nurse - required upon hire and

Registered Nurse Anesthetist - required upon hire

Required Certifications

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required 30 Days

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) required upon hire

Required Skills/Knowledge

Pretesting and calibrating anesthesia equipment, monitors and delivery systems.

Collecting preoperative data and performing physical examinations.

Inserting venous, arterial, and other invasive catheters.

Delivering drugs for induction and maintenance of anesthesia.

Placing, delivering, and managing regional anesthesia. Securing and managing the airway.

Managing supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and blood products.

Administering cardiovascular drugs as supportive therapy.

Making anesthetic adjustments using intraoperative monitoring modalities.

Providing a safe transition from the operating room to the recovery area.

Performing functions in post operative pain assessment and management.

Participating in administrative affairs, research, and clinical instruction.

Must be current with CME credits.

Functional Accountabilities

Clinical Skills

* Collect preoperative data and perform physical examinations.

* Manage supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and blood products.

* Administer cardiovascular drugs as supportive therapy.

* Make anesthetic adjustments using intraoperative monitoring modalities.

* Provide a safe transition from the operating room to the recovery area.

* Perform functions in post operative pain assessment and management.

* Participate in administrative affairs, research, and clinical instruction.

Technical Skills

* Place venous, arterial, and other invasive catheters.

* Secure and manage the airway .

* Place, deliver, and manage regional anesthesia.

Professional Enhancement

* Maintain and enhance current knowledge by attending continuing education conferences within the hospital or at the regional or national level.

* Participate in the education of other medical practitioners by acting as a mentor, preceptor and role model.

* Evaluate and use literature and research findings to support practice decisions.

* Design, conduct, and/or participate in research studies.

Organizational Accountabilities-Staff

Organizational Commitment/Identification

* Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization

* Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural/ ethnic differences

* Demonstrate personal and professional integrity

* Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

* Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

* Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

* Partner with all team members to achieve goals

* Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

* Contribute to a positive work environment

* Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

* Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

* Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

* Use resources efficiently

* Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

* Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

* Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

* Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

* Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

* Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

* Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance