Anesthesia Technician

Department Overview

The department consists of 49 operating suites in four separate locations, as well as 19 outside OR Anesthesia delivery locations, three pre-operative areas, and three post-operative areas. These areas support Surgical Specialties and a Level One trauma program with a caseload of >125 cases daily. The department provides both inpatient and outpatient services. The Anesthesia Technician provides assistance to anesthesiologists by maintaining and stocking anesthesia instruments and supplies for the operating rooms, assembling and setting up anesthesia equipment, performs complex and moderately complex laboratory tests, transports blood for massive transfusion protocol, and performs common and complex anesthesia procedures to ensure the best possible patient care is attained.

Functions in all areas of OHSU where anesthesia could be administered in both inpatient and outpatient services on Marquam Hill and South Waterfront.

• Check inventory and, if appropriate, requisitions and restocks supplies; rotate dated items on shelves; participate in equipment and supply evaluations;
• Troubleshoot and maintain equipment and supplies such as ETCO2 gas analyzer, anesthesia machine, EKG monitor, pulse oximeter, and blood gas instrument; make minor repairs or refer to Clinical Engineering for repairs;
• Calibrate equipment such as blood gas instrument and pressure transducers, ETCO2 Analyzer, pressure transducers, and oximetric swans;
• Clean and sterilize anesthesia machines and equipment after surgeries and perform necessary maintenance; perform stat analysis of patient blood samples.

• Induction/intubation; rapid sequence induction; difficult intubation; LMA insertion; nasal intubation; endo-brochial tube placement; bronchial blocker tube placement; awake fiber-optic intubation; IV placement; central line placement; PA catheter placement; antecubital central line placement; use of ultrasound; RIC catheter placement; epidural catheter placement; spinal placement; combined spinal – epidural; nerve blocks following sterile techniques.
• Is a sterile member of the team while assisting with line placements. Performs intra-operative blood recovery and re-infusion per procedures.
• Assists operating room personnel with handling, checking of blood and blood products per procedures. Provides Autotransfusion services and STAT laboratory functions including Point Of Care Tests (POCT) to all OR areas. Releases POCT orders written by anesthesia providers prior to testing. Manages the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) carts and assists in MH crisis.

• Monitors surgery schedule to ensure operating rooms are equipped with appropriate anesthesia supplies and equipment; checks anesthesia machines and monitors prior to surgery assembles and assists with insertion of invasive monitoring lines; sets up anesthesia equipment prior to surgery including arterial transducers, cardiac output computer, and humidified breathing circuits.

• BLS Certification
• National Certification as an Anesthesia Technician OR
• Associates degree or higher in a health-related field from an accredited institution of higher education with coursework in Anatomy, Physiology and Chemistry OR
• 2 years experience as an Anesthesia Technician OR
• Completed 2 years full-time college-level courses including Anatomy, Physiology and Chemistry
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

• Bachelor's degree

Surgical setting requiring a strict dress code and adherence to infection control policies; high degree of standing and walking; above average stress level due to critically injured or ill patients; lifting and moving of equipment and supplies; function and participate in a learning environment; work beyond regular scheduled hours, as needed; assist with trial of new products and equipment.

• Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88%…