The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) safely provides anesthesia to surgical patients for a variety of operations and/or procedures. The CRNA performs pre-anesthesia patient evaluations/histories, prepares anesthesia plans, delivers all forms of anesthesia and follows up on anesthesia cases. The CRNA will consult and collaborate with the entire surgical care team. Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of anesthesia equipment.

Outstanding interpersonal skills are essential, as the successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary staff in the delivery of excellent health care to our nation's Veterans. Marion VAMC provides cutting-edge surgical and procedural care to Veterans having standard surgical complexity procedures, including general surgical, ENT, orthopedic, ophthalmic, GI, vascular and podiatric surgery. Our facility does not do open heart, neurology, OB, or pediatric cases.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and 8:00 am to 4:30 pm by rotation. Weeknights/weekend call.
Financial Discloser Report: Not required

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.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination

Qualifications

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. Nurse Anesthetists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education: (1) A masters in nursing from a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate state-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant:
  (a) The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), an accrediting arm of the National League for Nursing located at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006. Additional information may be obtained from the NLNAC Web site; or (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The CCNE accredits bachelor's and master's degree programs and is located at One DuPont Circle, N.W., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Additional information may be obtained from the CCNE Web site. (c) In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, and unrestricted registration (see basic requirement in subparagraph c below) 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. (2) Graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. The AANA has compiled current listings of approved training institutions, which are published annually in the December issue of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal.
• Registration: 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 VA. The appointing official may waive this requirement if the nurse anesthetist
  is to serve in a country other than the United States and has registration in that country (e.g. Philippines).
• Certification: (1) 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. The CCNA and the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists have designated the AANA's web site as a display agent for their information.
  (2) Nurse Anesthetists will maintain recertification by meeting the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist's requirements as a condition of employment.
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Entry Level: (Nurse II)
Education: A minimum of a Master's degree educational preparation is required.
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
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'sphysical 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)
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.
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 & 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 & theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations.
6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues & peers in a team concept of anesthesia care & blend management skills with technical experience.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard.
The full performance level of this vacancy is (Nurse III). The actual grade an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Nurse II to Nurse III.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard.
The full performance level is (Nurse III). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Nurse II to Nurse III.
Physical Requirements: Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers & both hands; walking & standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far visions correctable in one eye to 20/20 & to 20/40 in the other. Must have depth perception & ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

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.