At Houston Methodist, the Nurse Anesthetist II PRN position, under the direction of the attending Anesthesiologist and Chair of the Department, functions as an experienced and qualified Certified Nurse Anesthetist providing pre-anesthesia, anesthesia and post-anesthesia services in a clinical, research and academic environment. This position affects direct patient care according to the nurse practice act of the State of Texas and Houston Methodist Standards of Care policies and procedures. The Nurse Anesthetist II position participates in research activities of the department and actively participates in the educational imperative of the Department of Anesthesiology.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide clinical and didactic instruction to nurse anesthesia students with emphasis on the patient undergoing cardiac, thoracic and major vascular surgery. Serves as a resource person to students and other health care professionals. Evaluates and counsels nurse anesthesia students, making appropriate referrals when indicated.

• Communicates in an active, positive and effective manner to all health care team members, asking them if they need help and creating a climate free of fear by communicating and questioning, encouraging and supporting others to do the same, constructively influencing team morale. Improves department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs safe and effective care and delegated functions under physician supervision and treatment as defined by the Texas Nursing Board to practice guidelines. Performs thorough and complete pre-anesthesia assessments and develops appropriate anesthesia plans.

• Place and maintain epidural catheters as adjuncts to anesthesia. Places and monitors arterial and central venous catheters including pulmonary artery catheters.

• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Administers anesthesia in accordance with clinical privileges, including induction, maintenance and emergence. Selects, obtains and administers anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic, to maintain the patient's physiologic homeostasis, and to correct abnormal responses to the anesthesia or surgery. Documents pertinent information on the patient's medical record.

• Monitors, interprets and evaluates, ongoing data, as appropriate, for the type of anesthetic and specific patient needs. Provides expertise in airway management both in and out of the surgical suite catheters.

• Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.

• Acts as investigator, collaborator, consultant, or assistant on research projects as needed. Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement.

• Actively participates in meeting quality and safety targets and initiatives, reporting near misses and identifying solutions by collaborating with the interprofessional health care team. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements department strategies to achieve financial target on entity scorecard and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, optimizing efficiency, and other areas according to department specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in developing, implementing and evaluating didactic and clinical curricula for the nurse anesthesia students. May serve on a variety of institutional committees and participate as instructors in staff development and continuing education programs for both professional and non-professional staff members.

• Maintains personal professional development through organization membership. Attends workshops and other educational programs, to ensure awareness of current developments and trends.

• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher from an accredited School of Nursing

• Completion of Nurse Anesthesia program

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of anesthesia experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR
• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days AND
• APRN - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Texas Board of Nursing AND
• CRNA - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (NBCRNA) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Strong assessment, organizational and problem-solving skill as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components

• Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families

• Demonstrates sound clinical knowledge of technology and treatment applications

• In depth knowledge, experience and related skills of current anesthesia practices with emphasis on administration of anesthesia for the patient undergoing cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery

• In depth knowledge of pharmacology with emphasis on anesthetic, cardiac and vasoactive drugs

• Thorough knowledge of anesthetic equipment

• Expertise in the placement of invasive monitoring devices including arterial, central venous and pulmonary artery catheters

• Ability to move, manipulate, and safely operate anesthesia equipment during the administration of all types of anesthesia to all sizes of patients

• Ability to adapt to work environment changes.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, including HIPPA regulations compliance

• Ability to adjust work schedule to meet varying demands

• Uses critical thinking skills and clinical judgement to work autonomously as defined by the Texas Nursing Board & collaborates with healthcare team members to manage/coordinate patient care

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group is an integral part of Houston Methodist’s overall strategy to become one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. Established as a nonprofit corporation certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Specialty Physician Group enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.