Overview
Assist in the preparation and induction of anesthesia, including preoperative checkout/calibration and equipment needs for each case. Assist with patient preparation including pre-operative assessment, positioning, and invasive line setup. Assist with and/or perform insertion of devices (oro/nasogastric tubes, IV and intra-arterial catheters) under supervision. Assist with establishing arterial lines and with central line, Swan Ganz, and TEE placement. Assist with neuraxial techniques (epidural, spinal, regional anesthesia). Establish, monitor, and support management of the airway including difficult airway assistance and topicalization. Assist in documentation of patient data on the anesthetic record. Under supervision, assist with and/or perform procedural sedation as directed. Monitor intra-operative patient status and intervene as instructed (airway management, NG placement, temperature control, ABGs, hemodynamic calculations, glucose testing). Prepare and administer prescribed pharmacological agents to maintain anesthesia adequacy and hemodynamic stability. Respond to and assist with intraoperative crises (cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, failed intubation, hemorrhage). Administer blood and blood products including autotransfusion (Cell Saver). Maintain and stock pediatric, difficult intubation, hemodynamic, and malignant hyperthermia carts. Assist anesthesiologist with emergence from anesthesia (titration, airway maintenance, mechanical ventilation titration, extubation) and postoperative ventilation management. Assist with cases outside the OR (MRI, CT scan, Interventional suites, Cath Lab, Endoscopy)
