The Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist provides clinical, administrative, educational, and supervisory duties for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties of the Chief CRNA include, but are not limited to: Performs pre-anesthetic evaluations, collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to prepare the anesthesia plan, delivers of all forms of anesthesia, and provides intra and post-operative care of patients. Provides emergency airway and resuscitation management throughout the facility and establishes effective working relationships with all levels of staff throughout the MEDVAMC. Clinical responsibility will be a collaboration between Chief Nurse Anesthetist and the Executive of Anesthesiology Service. The Chief 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 response to anesthesia. Performs post-anesthetic management of patients 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. 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. Participates in the development of the anesthesia patient care audit processes which involves the in-depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. Demonstrates skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of surgical procedures and the ability to adapt and modify anesthesia techniques to optimize patient care. Demonstrates the ability to perform the clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques. Effectively blends technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. Applies new developments and theories to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. Demonstrates the ability to share expertise within or beyond the facility through leadership or as an active participant in interdisciplinary groups (e.g. committees, task forces, projects, formal teaching, publications or other professional activities). Responds to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration, of emergency fluids and medications and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. Emergency treatment directed by patient's request as noted in the advance directives listed in VISTA. Formal and informal teaching of clinical staff, patients, and families. Demonstrates leadership by sharing knowledge with colleagues and/or students to enhance professional growth, development and practice. Performs as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or anesthesia care providers. The individual is responsible for maintaining competencies by attending relevant continuing education programs and maintaining active professional involvement within the academic community. Oversees documentation of education and ongoing competencies for the Care Line for various lab testing, including iStat and TEG. Ensures ongoing CAP surveys completed for lab equipment in a timely manner. Applies current research data by contributing to Healthcare Care System policies, procedures, and protocols. Participation in clinical research as appropriate. Administrative and Management duties concerning interviewing, hiring, clinical oversight and discipline; attending meetings; upholding standards and policies; compliance in meeting requirements for the Joint Commision; recommending needed anesthesia equipment, textiles, staffing or operational space to administration. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Day shift with some On-Call requirement Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration 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, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with the VA. Certification. On and after May 4, 1993, certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to non-certified nurse anesthetists employed by VA as a nurse anesthetist prior to May 4, 1993 and continuously thereafter. Any nurse anesthetist who leaves VA employment or vacates the nurse anesthetist occupation for another VA position, must meet the current requirement of certification for re-appointment as a nurse anesthetist. Nurse Anesthetists will maintain recertification by meeting the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist's requirements as a condition of employment. Preferred Experience: Managerial or Supervisory experience Experience with Conflict Resolution Five years of CRNA Experience Grade Requirements: Recency and Quality of Experience. Recency or quality of training and experience in anesthetic techniques should be carefully reviewed when determining the appropriate grade. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate possession of knowledge, skills and abilities related to the current practice of nurse anesthesia. The importance of specific types of experience or training may vary according to the intended assignment. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Chief Level: Nurse IV Education and/or Experience: At this level, emphasis is placed on strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities. The Chief Nurse Anesthetist /Administrative Nurse Anesthetist makes recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of VA policies or programs concerning critical matters or major issues within the anesthesia arena. They are assigned positions/studies where limited guidance exists as to the method of evaluation for the potential experience identified or, where possible, new experiences need to be identified. Regularly provides anesthesia care in unusually extensive and complex surgical procedures that are of prolonged duration and involve high-risk patients, including development of individualized programs of post-op anesthesia care. A specific assigned Chief Nurse Anesthetist/Administrative Nurse Anesthetist may be a first line supervisor and/or have administrative responsibility for anesthesia staff. Individuals assigned to this level generally require approximately 5 years of progressively responsible leadership assignments in clinical, administrative, educational and/or research related to nurse anesthesia practice.Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Nurse Anesthetists at this level must have the ability to perform long and short-term planning goals for their anesthesia department. Chief Nurse Anesthetist /Administrative Nurse Anesthetist functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Ability to perform scheduling and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel to include conducting performance evaluations in order to effectively execute responsibilities. b. Knowledge to accept substantial and continuing responsibility and accountability for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program. c. Ability to serve on committee meetings, departmental reviews, problem-focused studies, problem solving, interventions, and process oversight in order to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel. d. Skill in design and management of budget and cost benefit analysis in order to ensure optimal stewardship of resources. e. Ability to exercise independent judgment, perform tasks of unusual difficulty along special technical, supervisory, or administrative lines. These practitioners may develop protocols of anesthesia practice. f. Ability to provide analytical techniques and problem solving related to drug interaction and pathological changes during the anesthesia course. g. Ability to provide leadership in the application of the nursing process to patient care, organization processes and/or systems, improving outcomes at the program or service level. h. Knowledge to participate in the audit of anesthesia care, recommending changes where indicated. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity (including color vision and depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear, distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (4-6 hours), standing (4-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), pushing (1-2 hours), lifting (>45 pounds), carrying (

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Naomi Zeno
• Phone: 6032669415
• Email: [email protected]