Summary The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who utilizes specialized clinical nursing skills and is prepared to administer anesthesia care. As independently licensed health professionals, CRNAs are responsible and accountable for their practice. The scope of practice includes direct patient care, administration, educational, and research activities. A recruitment incentive may be available for highly qualified external applicants. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Performs a pre-anesthetic patient assessment based on patient interview, patient history, lab results, and type of surgical procedure to be performed. Patient assignments per Chief Nurse Anesthetist or another designed person. Selects and administers pre-anesthetic medication according to established protocol. Requests and evaluates pertinent laboratory studies, pulmonary function studies, including blood gases, respiratory therapy, and other appropriate studies under established protocol. Inserts intravenous catheters, according to established protocol, Swan-Ganz catheters and central venous pressure catheters under medical supervision, and arterial catheters; perform puncture for blood gases. Utilizes all current techniques in monitoring. Performs endotracheal intubation and extubation. Selects and administers anesthetic techniques (intravenous, regional, various field blocks, or inhalational), medications/ adjunct drugs appropriate to the individual patient's condition and procedure (surgical or non-surgical) within established protocols in the operating suite and any off-site location (i.e. Endoscopy, Radiology, Cardiology, MRI, etc.). Manages fluid, blood and electrolyte therapy within a medical care plan. Initiates and modifies therapies, (i.e. drug and pain therapy) within established protocols. Examines patients in post-anesthesia recovery/hospital units to assess patient's reaction to anesthetic management. Identifies any complications or abnormal patient responses to anesthesia or to adjunctive medication and implement appropriate management techniques. Assists in the treatment and management of emergency airway problems throughout the hospital. Participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by performing airway management including endotracheal intubations. Serves as code captain in the absence of a physician. Provides anesthetic consultation to physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff. Makes post-operative rounds and records to patient's permanent record the presence or absence of anesthesia-related-complications. Takes an active role in the departmental in-service program. Takes emergency calls assigned by Chief Nurse Anesthetist or another designated person Responsible for patient care activities for adult and geriatric patients, modifying treatment plans to accommodate the changes that occur with aging. Safeguards sensitive data per provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations. VA statutes and policies. Sets up, properly uses, reprocesses, and maintains all unit/department-specific equipment in accordance with equipment Standard Operating Procedure, with validation of ongoing competency at least annually. Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to implement The Joint Commission standards to improve patient care outcomes. Provides guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Participates in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. Performs as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. Recognizes clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. Practices nurse anesthesia concepts within a team to deliver anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. Applies new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. Effectively blends technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. 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: Monday-Friday 7:00am- 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Unavailable Telework: Unavailable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentives: Maybe authorized for highly qualified external candidates. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Note: Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to assuming clinical duties.. The BLS requirement is satisfied by successfully completing an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Healthcare Provider Course or Military Training Network (MTN). BLS courses are normally offered within 1-5 days of entry on duty. No online certifications will be accepted. 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. 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 the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited 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). 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level: Nurse II (Entry Level) - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III (Full Performance Level) - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/37, Part II, Appendix G7 NURSE ANESTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD. Preferred Experience: Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Physical Requirements: Physical and mental stamina sufficient to diligently monitor the anesthetized patient for prolonged periods of time and have the ability to manage many stressful situations. 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. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.