This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

Duties

The practice of anesthesia is a recognized nursing and medical specialty unified by the same standard of care. Nurse anesthesia practice may include, but is not limited to, these elements: performing a comprehensive history and physical; conducting a pre-anesthesia evaluation; obtaining informed consent for anesthesia; developing and initiating a patient-specific plan of care; selecting, ordering, prescribing and administering drugs and controlled substances; and selecting and inserting invasive and noninvasive monitoring modalities. CRNAs provide acute, chronic, and interventional pain management services, as well as critical care and resuscitation services; order and evaluate diagnostic tests; request consultations; and perform point-of-care testing. CRNAs plan and initiate anesthetic techniques, including general, regional, local, and sedation. Anesthetic techniques may include the use of ultrasound, fluoroscopy and other technologies for diagnosis and care delivery, and to improve patient safety and comfort. Nurse anesthetists respond to emergency situations using airway management and other techniques; facilitate emergence and recovery from anesthesia; and provide post-anesthesia care, including medication management, conducting a post-anesthesia evaluation, and discharge from the post-anesthesia care area or facility. The Nurse Anesthetist performs pre-anesthesia evaluations, prepares anesthesia plan, delivers all forms of anesthesia and follows up on all general anesthesia cases. Provides emergency airway and resuscitation management throughout the facility. The Nurse Anesthetist assists with quality assurance activities facility wide and specific to the Anesthesia department The CRNA translates the principles of professional nurse anesthesia practice into appropriate patient care. Performs the pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, including the collection of preoperative consults and data, from which an appropriate anesthetic plan is formulated. The anesthetic risks, benefits, and options are described to the patient. Administers inhalation, regional, intravenous, local and topical anesthetics and continuously evaluates the patient's physical status and responses to anesthesia. Administration of Monitored Anesthesia Care, as well as moderate sedation (previously, conscious sedation), deep sedation Insertion of intravascular monitoring catheters ( arterial and central venous ), and the management of generated data; Management of fluid/electrolyte and hematologic aberrations during surgical or other invasive procedures; Any other procedure, process or technique commonly understood to lie within the scope of practice of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Consistently monitors and accurately records on the anesthesia record. Performs post-anesthetic management of patients in order to optimize the recovery from anesthesia and minimize pain. Provides patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession, while working effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. Appropriately responds to all codes and airway rescues. Practices with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care while demonstrating effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and interdisciplinary teamwork. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am-3:30pm On call Evenings, Nights, Weekends are Mandatory The CRNA will be required to take call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Must be a US Citizen. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Nurse Anesthetists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, and Paragraph 5a. Must have a degree in nursing from a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration and the possession of a Certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Must be a graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at the time the program was completed. Must possess a current, full, active and unrestricted license as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia. The nurse anesthetist must maintain a current, full and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. Must be certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists and must maintain recertification by meeting the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist's requirements as a condition of employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Grade Determinations: Entry Level (Nurse II) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: 1. Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care. 2. Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data. 3. Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient. 4. Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status. 5. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. 6. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. 7. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. 8. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care. Full Performance Level: (Nurse III) (a) Experience and Education. In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care. 2. Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care. 3. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures. 4. Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. 5. Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. 6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. 7. Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. 8. Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. 9. Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. 10. Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/37, Part II, Appendix G7 NURSE ANESTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The CRNA has to be able to carry an 8-10 pound code blue box within the entire facility in order to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques. The CRNA will be required to take call.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: John Holmes
• Phone: 315-569-1577
• Email: [email protected]