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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Pre-Operative- EDRP Near Dallas, TX

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). 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Significant experience in preoperative anesthesia evaluation for minor to major surgeries on patients with ASA 1 and above status.
• Experience in managing anesthesia for major surgeries on patients with ASA1 & above.
• Experience in supervising & training RRNA's in the preoperative setting and possible operating room setting.
• Experience in placing invasive lines & regional anesthesia.
• Experience in opening & closing encounters.
• Experience in using & evaluating preoperative patient's utilizing telehealth & other forms of remote perioperative evaluations.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: The level that nurse anesthesia practice may be performed is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination upon appointment and advancement is dependent more on acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities than baseline education. As the nurse anesthetist acquires the knowledge and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care is expanded. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignments of candidates:

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 Nurse II, 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.

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: See Additional Information

Responsibilities:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until May 2, 2024 or until positions are filled. The first cut-off date is November 13, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on a as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period.

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, CRNA, in the Pre-operative setting is a specialty of both nursing and medicine. The preoperative evaluation is an environment where numerous risk factors are to be considered for low risk and high risk surgical and non-surgical procedures. The CRNA is responsible to perform a thorough and comprehensive physical examination and history in a timely manner. The duties also are to prescribe, and order, evaluate any labs or radiological tests that maybe needed or facilitated. The preoperative CRNA is to provide preoperative assessments for a variety of specialties such as but are not limited to: General Surgery, Gynecological, Vascular, Dental, Gastrointestinal, Plastic, Ophthalmology, Neurological, Orthopedic, Urological, Dental. The preoperative CRNA is to provide counseling and education to the patient and family about the procedure and options. Additional preoperative duties are to also develop a patient centered plan for analgesia, anesthesia, multi modal pain management, and recovery. Another duty of the preoperative CRNA is to ensure patient understanding. The CRNA's practice according to state statues, regulation, and VA institutional policies.

The CRNA is authorized to perform routine duties on a regular, repetitive basis. These duties may be performed after specific prior discussion with the supervising physician. The CRNA works with an anesthesiologist in the performance of duties. These duties include but are not restricted to:

• Performing, documenting, and ordering pre-anesthetic assessments and evaluations of patient, including requesting consultations and diagnostic studies
• Routinely ordering consults and appropriate labs
• Developing and implementing an anesthetic plan and initiating the anesthetic technique, which may include general, regional, or local anesthesia, as well as monitored anesthesia care (MAC)
• Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate non-invasive and invasive monitoring devices for continuous evaluation of patient physical status in ASA 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 patients
• Selecting, obtaining, and administering anesthetics and adjuvant drugs and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic care of the patient
• Managing a patient's airway and ventilation using current practice modalities
• Facilitating emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, administering, and ordering medications, fluids, and ventilatory support
• Providing post-anesthetic follow-up evaluation and care
• Additional duties as assigned

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

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: Optional Call, Mon - Fri, 7:00am to 5:30pm, 7:00am to 3:30pm, 8:00am to 4:30pm or 8:00am to 6:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP: Authorized Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary