Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Nurse Anesthetists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. The AANA has compiled current listings of approved training institutions, which are published annually in the December issue of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal. The American Hospital Association in their 'Guide to the Health Care Field' also publishes listings of approved training institutions annually in August. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Current active certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Entry Level: Nurse II Experience and Education. None beyond the

Basic Requirements:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist
Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care
Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data
Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient
Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status
Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care
Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession
Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care
Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care
Full Performance Level: Nurse III Experience and Education
In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below
These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures
At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated
Typically candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following: Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures
In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care
Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence
Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care
Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures
Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment
Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations
Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience
Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia
Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers
Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records
Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care
References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard
This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs
and over); Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs.); Light Lifting (under 15 lbs.); Light Carrying (under 15 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours); Both hands required; Walking (4-6 hours); Standing (4-6 hours); Kneeling (1-2 hours); Repeated bending (1-2 hours); Both legs required: Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye t 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing aid permitted.

Duties

'Clarksburg, in the Mountaineer Country region, offers visitors a rich mix of retail, industrial, professional and governmental services and one of the best preserved historical downtowns in the state.
Clarksburg is considered a Large Town with a population of 41,453 and 2,918 businesses.
The VA Clarksburg Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 5 (VISN 5), which includes medical centers and clinics in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.CVA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties will include, but are not limited to: Performing and documenting a preanesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including requesting consultations and diagnostic studies; selecting, obtaining, ordering, and administering pre-anesthetic medications and fluids; and obtaining informed consent for anesthesia.
Developing and implementing an anesthetic plan.
Initiating the anesthetic technique which may include general, regional, local, and IV sedation.
Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities for continuous evaluation of the patient's physical status.
Selecting, obtaining, and administering the anesthetics, adjuvant and accessory drugs, and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic.
Managing a patient's airway and pulmonary status using current practice modalities.
Facilitating emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, obtaining, ordering and administering medications, fluids, and ventilator support.
Discharging the patient from a post-anesthesia care area and providing post-anesthesia follow-up evaluation and care, as needed.
Responding to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.
Implements acute pain management modalities.
Perform arterial puncture, arterial cannulization and arterial pressure monitoring devices if indicated.
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, from 07:00 am to 03:30 pm; this position has on call duties; applicants must be available after duty hours for on call duties Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance.
Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Recruitment Incentive: Approved Relocation Incentive: Approved This position is covered under the AFGE Bargaining Unit Agreement.
Per the AFGE Master Agreement,'