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The CRNA practices to achieve common goals for care, safety and welfare of VA patients and provide anesthetic services under the medical direction or medical supervision of an anesthesiologist within four general categories:

1. Pre-anesthesia preparation and evaluation
2. Anesthesia induction, maintenance and emergence in the operating room (OR) and out-of-OR environments
3. Post anesthesia care, including pain management
4. Peri-anesthetic and clinical support functions in the OR and out-of-OR environments

The CRNA works with diverse age groups to include adult and geriatric patients and is able to meet age specific needs of the patient population served. The anesthetist demonstrates the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to perform his/her duties in providing anesthetic care appropriate to the VA patient. The anesthetist demonstrates knowledge of age-associated changes, illnesses and potential disabilities in order to work with geriatric patients.

Work Schedule: Varies based on facility needs
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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:

1. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit for qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part.)
2. Education. A degree in nursing from a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate state-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies (The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. OR A graduate of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, and unrestricted registration AND possess a Certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). AND 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 by the applicant.
3. Licensure/Registration.Possess a 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.
4. Certification. Possess certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment.
5. English Language Proficiency. Nurse Anesthetists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.Preferred Experience: Three years experience preferred
6. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met:

Entry Level: (Nurse II):
Experience and Education. 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'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)
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 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/37, Part II, Appendix G7 dated August 24, 2010

Physical Requirements: May occasionally be exposed to patients who are aggressive or combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. May be required to work closely with others or teams, or work in close proximity with others. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially longer periods of frequent walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, kneeling, pulling, and pushing. Transfer of patients and objects may be required. Must use Safe Patient Handling assistive equipment when moving/transferring patients. May be exposed to patients with infections or communicable diseases and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures or other situations where protective clothing is needed.

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.