Anesthesia Technician

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Anesthesia related duties: Provides anesthesia for patients undergoing surgical, obstetric, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures while monitoring the patient’s condition and supporting vital organ functions. Responsibilities also include diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic, and/or cancer pain as well as provide resuscitation and medical management for patients with critical illnesses and severe injuries.  An organizational related support or service (administrative or clerical) role or a role that focuses on support of daily business activities (e.g., technical, clinical, non-clinical) operating in a “hands on” environment.  The majority of time is spent in the delivery of support services or activities, typically under supervision.  An entry level role that typically requires little to no prior knowledge or experience, work is routine or follows standard procedures, work is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation. 

Job Overview 

This position supports the operating rooms with anesthesia and physiological monitoring equipment in preparation for anesthesia in surgical, obstetric, and diagnostic anesthesia suites. Responsible for cleaning and maintenance of all anesthesia equipment as well as ordering, stocking, distributing, and maintaining inventory of anesthesia supplies. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. High school diploma or equivalent. 

2. Basic Life Support Certification. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Associate’s degree. 

2. Emergency Medical Technician Certification. 

3. One (1) year of related experience in Surgical Services, Operating Room, or PACU. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Assists anesthesiologists and or nursing staff with direct patient care duties including but not limited to assisting with patient transfers, preparation of patient equipment, intubations, and regional anesthesia and placement of invasive monitors. 

2. Changes soda-lime containers according to specific guidelines. 

3. Sets up I.V. solutions, arterial lines and equipment for anesthesiologists use. 

4. Orders daily Anesthesia supplies from the storeroom and Pharmacy.  Orders special equipment and replaces when needed.   

5. Reports to the Operating Room any malfunctions of equipment; assumes responsibility for service maintenance and records of maintenance, including levels of gases and results of testing OR/PACU. 

6. Checks for operational activity of battery run equipment in Anesthesia. 

7. Conducts weekly inventory to maintain quantity of supplies at established level and prepares orders for appropriate departments. 

8. Participates in infection control through regular cleaning of anesthesia equipment and performs housekeeping duties to keep the anesthesia workroom neat and orderly.  Cleans and maintains inhalation equipment, breathing circuits, connecting tubes and adapters. 

9. Assists secretary in performing clerical duties at control desk. 

10. Maintains Anesthesia and Operating Room Library and keeps catalog file up to date. 

11. Conducts routine checks of emergency carts and anesthesia carts; supplies anesthesia carts with scopes, endotracheal equipment and other supplies as indicated. 

12. Checks inventory against established listing pulling outdated drugs or equipment, replacing illegible labels, correcting other deficiencies; notes action taken or needed on listings for Manager’s review and follow up. 

13. Sets up and calibrates invasive monitor transducers. 

14. Operates Glucometer when necessary.   

Physical Requirements:  

1. Regularly lifts, reaches, carries, pushes, and pulls 40-50 lbs or more. 

2. Regularly stands/sits combination of eight (8) hours or length of assignment. 

3. Differentiates between objects such as size, temperature, or texture by touching with fingertips. 

4. Perceives sounds such as phones ringing, beepers, alarms and buzzers on equipment. 

5. Clarity of both near and far vision.  

6. Exposure to infectious disease and possible carcinogenic chemicals. 

7. Exposure of blood-borne pathogens.   

8. Ability to distinguish color, i.e. alarms and buzzers on equipment, and color codes on instrumentation. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Ability to speak and hear effectively and meet telephone and customer service standards.  

2. Knowledge of sterile technique. 

3. Ability to communicate with customers accurately, quickly, and loudly enough in the English language. 

4. Ability to accurately maintain written records in addition to basic familiarity with computers and the ability to navigate at a basic level within web-based applications. 

5. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary systems and infection control. 

6. Maintains sensitivity, maturity and flexibility in coping with difficult situations. 

7. Ability to work with staff of all levels.