Nurse Anesthetist

Remote

💊 Health

A Nurse Anesthetist ensures patients remain comfortable during diagnostic tests and medical procedures by administering pain relief and sedative medications called anesthetics. Depending on the state and local laws governing the field, Nurse Anesthetists may work independently or under the supervision of a physician. Their education-related duties can also contribute to patient satisfaction and retention rates for hospitals, surgical centers, outpatient clinics and private medical practices.

What does a Nurse Anesthetist do?

A Nurse Anesthetist, sometimes called an Anesthesia Nurse, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or CRNA, administers pain relief and sedative medications to patients prior to medical procedures. Common duties you can add to your Nursing Anesthetist job description include monitoring patients who are under anesthesia, educating patients on anesthesia aftercare and maintaining accurate patient records.

Responsibilities

A Nurse Anesthetist should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Nurse Anesthetist should be able to execute:

Reviewing patient medical history to learn about their general health, allergies and any previous reactions to anesthesia
Selecting the right type and correct amount of anesthesia independently or in consultation with other medical professionals
Administering anesthesia via injection, IV, inhalants or oral medications
Monitoring patient heart rate, blood pressure respiratory rate and other vital signs during and after procedures
Observing patients during procedures and in the recovery room and responding to any side effects or complications
Educating patients on the type of anesthesia that will be used and its potential benefits and risks

Required Skills

A competitive Nurse Anesthetist will have certain skills and qualifications, including:

Knowledge of biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics and the best practices for administering general, regional, monitored and local anesthesia
Ability to operate continuous flow anesthetic machines, infusion pumps, anesthetic vaporizes, oxygen masks, peripheral venous catheter and other supplies, equipment and tools
Math and analytical skills to select anesthesia medications and calculate dosages
Verbal communication skills to provide easy-to-follow instructions and explain complex concepts to patients
Interpersonal skills to set patients at ease and foster trust
Observation skills to spot signs of potential complications and side effects

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