Supports anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents and CRNA’s (Anesthesia Care Team) by preparing and setting up appropriate equipment and supplies for each surgical case in the operating rooms (ORs) and satellite areas. A key requirement for the role is access to medication storage areas.
Responsibilities
- Maintain and organize the anesthesia environment, equipment, supplies, and personnel to facilitate department functions.
- Set up anesthesia equipment and understand the function and use of each item (e.g., invasive pressure monitoring, IVs, airway equipment).
- Obtain and stock supplies and equipment as requested by the anesthesia care team; maintain availability of necessary equipment in each OR.
- Stock adequate par levels of anesthesia supplies in all anesthetizing locations, including travel carts, emergency airway carts, and regional carts.
- Demonstrate detailed technical knowledge and troubleshooting ability for anesthesia delivery systems (anesthesia machines) and monitoring equipment.
- Clean anesthesia machines, monitors, and equipment following infection control procedures; dispose of contaminated items according to policy.
- Maintain equipment inventory to track repairs, loaners, and demos.
- Know the location of material data sheets (MDS) for hazardous materials.
- Provide perioperative technical support to the Anesthesia Care Team for safe patient care.
- Understand The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation policies and procedures, sentinel events, and other TJC mandates related to anesthesia and patient safety.
- Make specialized equipment available, assemble, and assist with operation of fiber‑optic equipment, rapid‑infusion devices, blood warmers, patient warming devices, neuromuscular devices, and infusion pumps.
- Differentiates and anticipates between the types of supplies and equipment needed for specific patient populations (e.g., pediatric, geriatric) and procedures (e.g., difficult airway, regional anesthesia).
- Perform quality control on equipment (e.g., Glucometer).
- Assist the anesthesia care team in OR set‑up, including airway equipment, IV solutions, and warming devices.
- Anticipate need for invasive monitoring per daily OR schedule.
- Prepare patients for induction by placing non‑invasive monitors and anticipating needs during induction, maintenance, and emergence of anesthesia; assist with patient transport as requested.
- Assist licensed anesthesia providers with invasive monitor insertion and procedures such as pulmonary artery catheter, central venous access, regional anesthesia, and fiber‑optic intubation; be familiar with the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm.
- Demonstrate aseptic technique when setting up and handling items on a sterile field and maintain integrity of the sterile field.
- Ensure correct patient and specimen identification and adhere to safety procedures, responding competently to emergencies (e.g., cardiac arrest, difficult airway, malignant hyperthermia).
- Utilize Cisco phones for business calls only and maintain them on campus.
- Attend shift reports on time and communicate clear sign‑out reports to the oncoming shift.
- Contribute to a positive working environment, cross‑train, assist colleagues, and provide training and orientation to staff and new personnel.
- Use Hemobank to obtain blood products for anesthesia.
- Apply advanced understanding of surgical procedures to anticipate required anesthesia supplies, equipment, lines, airway needs, and set‑up.
- Improve inventory and cart management through suggested improvements.
- Improve OR turnover by anticipating set‑up needs and proactive communication for equipment and supplies.
- Assist peers to expedite transports and improve on‑time first starts and turnover times.
- Apply infection control knowledge to resolve aseptic technique breaks and set up sterile fields.
- Provide troubleshooting and equipment coordination for anesthesia equipment; maintain specialized training and continuing education.
- Complete safety training for clinical items related to PPE, equipment, etc.
- Provide point‑of‑care (POC) and iStat labs as directed by anesthesia providers.
- Relate knowledge of anatomy and physiology to OR preparation, understand basic vital signs and lab values.
- Prioritize and accelerate multi‑tasking skills.
- Anticipate items/equipment needed during code status and assist anesthesia providers and RN as directed.
- Educate others on cleaning practices and scope handling.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
- CPR certification (required).
- At least 2 years of clinical healthcare experience as an anesthesia tech (required).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills necessary to work with clinical personnel, resolve problems, and label supplies for inventory.
- Apply established departmental policies, procedures, behavioral norms, and quality assurance programs, including safety, security, environmental, infection control standards, and National Patient Safety Goals.
- Establish and maintain courteous and effective relationships with patients, visitors, coworkers, and medical staff while demonstrating sensitivity to patient needs.
- Deliver service with a Commitment to Excellence philosophy, meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Demonstrate initiative, diagnose and resolve problems promptly, and perform duties with speed and timeliness.
- Respond to emergency procedures and situations competently (e.g., cardiac arrest, difficult airway, malignant hyperthermia).
- Foster an environment conducive to development of others; teach, orient, and serve as a role model to junior staff; be an active team member.
- Provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served, applying principles of growth and development across the lifespan and assessing age‑specific needs.
- Ensure patient safety in all job functions and participate in safety initiatives; correct observed risks and report adverse events and near misses.
- Identify and communicate potential risks in processes, procedures, and devices to responsible parties.