CRNA

Central Maine Healthcare is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western and Midcoast Maine. CMH's hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine's southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center and other high-quality clinical services.

If you are passionate about making a difference and are looking for your next great career opportunity, we look forward to reviewing your application!

Position Summary:

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) administers anesthesia and anesthesia-related care. Monitors and supports vital life functions. Acts as the patient's advocate while the patient is under anesthesia. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities (CQI).

Essential Duties:

• Demonstrates ability to administer all types of anesthesia, including general, regional, local and intravenous sedation.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient, neonate through geriatric.

• Documents pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including all appropriate lab values, study results, consultative information and pre-anesthesia clinical history.

• Demonstrates ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient or family regarding pain management.

• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

• Documents evidence of informing patient of all risks, potential complications, options and alternatives to anesthesia. Verifies informed consent.

• Develops, implements and documents an anesthetic plan of care, prior to providing anesthesia. Documents planned anesthesia selection for the patient.

• Performs an assessment immediately prior to induction of anesthesia of the patient and documents this in the medical record.

• Maintains the patient’s physiologic homeostasis and corrects abnormal responses to the anesthesia and/or surgery, should these occur.

• Collects and interprets patient physiological data by selecting, applying or inserting noninvasive monitoring modalities.

• Displays ability to intubate most patients with ease, manages the patient’s airway and pulmonary status through the perioperative process.

• Performs a smooth induction of anesthesia for patients requiring general anesthetic.

• Performs smooth patient emergence and recovery from anesthesia by maintaining homeostasis, providing relief from pain and anesthesia side effects.

• Prevents and manages complications through selecting, obtaining, ordering and administering medications, fluids or ventilator support in correct dosages and methods.

• Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.

• Stays with the patient as long as required by the patient's condition relative to his/her anesthesia status and until responsibility for proper patient care has been assumed by other qualified individuals.

• Advises staff responsible for post anesthesia care of specific problems related to patient’s condition.

• Records all pertinent events taking place during the induction of, maintenance of and emergence from anesthesia, including the dosage and duration of all anesthetic agents, other drugs, intravenous fluids and blood/blood components on all patients that have received anesthesia care.

• Documents at least one post anesthetic note while the patient is in the surgical suite or PACU.

• Displays assertive behavior, discussing with the Chief of Anesthesia, supervising anesthesiologist or operating surgeon situations where administering anesthesia may place the patient’s life in jeopardy. Declines to administer an anesthetic to any patient in the instance where he/she feels the anesthesia may pose a threat of loss of life or undue and/or unwarranted risk to the patient.

• Provides follow-up evaluation and care related to anesthesia complications and/or side effects.

• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patient and family.

• Documents all narcotic usage and performs narcotic double counts as required by organizational policy and procedure.

• Complies with call schedule and arrives for emergency cases within the time frame defined by organizational policies and procedures

• Responds to emergency situations requiring anesthesia services, knowledge or technique throughout the organization.

• Checks all resuscitative equipment prior to the beginning of the first surgery of the day. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to the Chief of Anesthesia and the Surgical Services Nurse Manager immediately.

• Checks all equipment and agents to be used in the administration of the anesthetic to assure safe working order. Reports all malfunctioning equipment to the Chief of Anesthesia and Surgical Services Nurse Manager immediately.

• Documentation meets current standards and policies.

• Customer Service: Interacts with all individuals in a consistent manner, providing attention, support, and assistance to foster an environment of exceptional personal service.

o Maintains a pleasant and helpful demeanor, and presents a professional appearance toward all internal and external customers at all times.

o Consistently initiates interaction to provide assistance to individuals who may not be direct customers of the employee (i.e. asks patients who appear to be lost if they need assistance in finding their way).

o Takes appropriate action to recover from a service difficulty, ensuring that the necessary action is taken to affect a resolution to the customer’s problem.

o Conducts all work activities with respect for coworkers, including the maintenance of a pleasant and professional environment, fostering calmness during stressful situations.

o Interacts with supervisory personnel in a professional, supportive and courteous manner, venting emotions appropriate to time and place.

o Demonstrates a commitment to service by consistent attendance and punctuality, scheduling absences according to departmental requirements, and incurring unplanned absences only when unavoidable circumstances exist.

Education and Experience:

• Current Registered Nurse License in the State of Maine.
• Graduate of a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the AANA Council on Accreditation
of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs or its predecessor.
• Current certification and recertification from AANA Council on Certification and recertification of
Nurse Anesthetists or its predecessor’s certification.
• Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages helpful and preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Working knowledge of anesthesia equipment.
• Advanced pharmacology knowledge.
• Ability to engage patients and team members utilizing the CMH Experience Standards

i. I am creating a warming, caring, and non-judgmental environment
ii. I am actively listening and seeking information
iii. I am honest, truthful, and consistent
iv. I am respectful, treating all individuals with dignity and empathy
v. I am serving as a role model, taking both initiative and ownership when appropriate
vi. I am working collaboratively and demonstrating teamwork
vii. I am resilient and adapt to change in positive ways.

• Demonstrated ability to direct and triage in a highly fluid dynamic operational environment.
• Ability to collaborate with all layers of the management/ administration team.

CMH actively promotes diversity in its workforce at all levels of the organization. We strive to create and maintain a setting where we celebrate cultural and other differences and consider them strengths of the organization. CMH is an equal opportunity workforce and no one shall discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status with respect to any offer, or term or condition, of employment. We make reasonable accommodations to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.