Nurse Anesthetists :: Job Description

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Nurse Anesthetists

Careers / Nurse Anesthetists

Summary Description


	Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Associate Professor Program Director Nurse Anesthesia

2.	Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

3.	Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Chief CRNA)

4.	Chief Nurse Anesthetist

5.	Chief Nurse Executive

6.	Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

7.	Nurse Anesthetist

8.	Professor/Nurse Anesthetist

9.	Senior Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Senior CRNA)

10.	Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Staff CRNA)

11.	Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Anesthesia Service (Staff CRNA, Anesthesia Service)

12.	Staff Nurse Anesthetist

Job Tasks

	Manage patients' airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, and extubation. Implement advanced life support techniques.

	Select, prepare, or use equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics. Select medical equipment for addressing patient needs. Prepare medications or medical solutions. Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

	Select, order, or administer anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products as necessary. Administer intravenous medications. Administer blood or other fluids intravenously. Prescribe medications.

	Monitor patients' responses, including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.

	Perform pre-anesthetic screenings, including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and document results. Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals. Examine patients to assess general physical condition. Record patient medical histories.

	Respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques. Administer intravenous medications. Treat medical emergencies. Implement advanced life support techniques.

	Develop anesthesia care plans. Develop medical treatment plans.

	Obtain informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures. Process healthcare paperwork.

	Assess patients' medical histories to predict anesthesia response. Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

	Select, order, or administer pre-anesthetic medications. Administer intravenous medications. Prescribe medications.

	Perform or evaluate the results of diagnostic tests such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs). Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment. Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

	Perform or manage regional anesthetic techniques such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks. Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.

	Prepare prescribed solutions and administer local, intravenous, spinal, or other anesthetics following specified methods and procedures. Prepare medications or medical solutions. Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. Administer intravenous medications.

	Administer post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patients' cardiovascular systems. Administer intravenous medications. Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.

	Calibrate and test anesthesia equipment. Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation. Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

	Evaluate patients' post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses, taking appropriate corrective actions or requesting consultation if complications occur. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Select and prescribe post-anesthesia medications or treatments to patients. Prescribe medications.

	Insert peripheral or central intravenous catheters. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Discharge patients from post-anesthesia care. Process healthcare paperwork.

	Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing. Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

	Request anesthesia equipment repairs, adjustments, or safety tests. Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

	Insert arterial catheters or perform arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Instruct nurses, residents, interns, students or other staff on topics such as anesthetic techniques, pain management and emergency responses. Train medical providers.

	Disassemble and clean anesthesia equipment. Clean medical equipment or facilities.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, schools, and clinics. Most APRNs work full time.

	Read More >>

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