Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Chief

Full Job Description

The Chief CRNA, recognized as Chief APN (CNA) is a first level supervisor and assumes administrative responsibility over the clinical Certified Nurse Anesthetists.

Overall clinical responsibility is a collaboration between the Chief CRNA and the Anesthesiology Service Chief.

Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) (APN (CNA)) Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education. A masters or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia.

Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing anesthesia accredited by Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. License.

All APN (CNAs) must maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNA or equivalent, in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

Basic Certification.

All APN (CNAs) must maintain full and current certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) or an equivalent Nurse Anesthetist certification recognized by the COA.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

The following Education, Experience and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities must be met for Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) IV, Chief Educator/Leadership-Management: Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (CNA) AND Four years of APN (CNA) progressively responsible assignments in clinical, administrative, education and/or research related to CNA practice, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to the APN (CNA) III grade level.

At this level, emphasis is placed on strategic planning and administrative responsibilities.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must have the ability to perform long and short-term planning goals for their anesthesia department.

Chief APN (CNA) functions may include, but are not limited to, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Ability to assume progressive responsibility for planning organizing, directing, and evaluating section and departmental processes and programs.

Ability to supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel and to ensure proper scheduling and staffing.

Skill to perform as a provider and mentor for unusually extensive and complex anesthetic cases.

Knowledge to participate in a continual audit of anesthesia care and to ensure periodic performance and professional practice (focused and ongoing) evaluation requirements are met.

Knowledge to represent departmental interests at interdisciplinary committee meetings, participate in departmental reviews, collaborate in problem solving and develop quality improvement initiatives.

Knowledge to engage in departmental resource stewardship, evaluation of staffing, equipment, and time value management.

Ability to interpret efficiency data as well as implement and evaluate cost-effective operational strategies.

Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks to enhance employee investment offering opportunities for staff leadership development.

Skill to collaborate and support the development of clinical and educational programs and anesthesia protocols to improve patient outcomes and improve service level performance.

Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care.

Skill to provide leadership level commitment to foster a safety lifestyle and continuous process improvement. Preferred Experience: Three years of managerial experience.

Physical Requirements: This position may require potentially long periods of continued Moderate lifting of 15-44 pounds, Use of fingers, Walking for 6 hours, Standing for 2 hours, Repeated bending 6 hours, Both legs required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted,).

Major Duties:

The Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Chief administers anesthesia in both inpatient and outpatient settings to patients of all health complexities.

The aspects of practice include direct patient care, administration, education, and research activities.

Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Collaborate with a variety of health care professionals to achieve common goals for care, safety, and welfare of patients.

Foster high levels of confidence and satisfaction among patients and staff, as well as meet and exceed compliance standards.

Provide anesthetic services within five general categories to include: pre-anesthesia evaluation and preparation; anesthesia induction, maintenance, and emergence; post anesthesia care; peri-anesthetic and clinical support functions; and emergency response techniques.

Develops and implements a comprehensive anesthesia plan of care for patients requiring local, regional, general, and monitored anesthesia both inside and outside the Operating Room (OR) suite.

Ensures anesthetic services delivered throughout the facility are of the highest quality to promote patient safety, satisfaction, and improve outcomes and efficiencies.

Functions as resource for staff education and is willing to be a preceptor and adjunct clinical faculty for health care trainees rotating through the VAMC.

Develops and implements evidence-based practices that are essential to the delivery of the highest quality anesthesia care.

Prescribe appropriate preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative orders and medications.

Makes recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation or development of VA policies or programs concerning critical matters or major issues within the anesthesia arena.

First line supervisor and administrative responsibility for nurse anesthesia staff (i.e., performance reviews, Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPE), peer review).

Administrative responsibility may extend to other healthcare professionals within the department. Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.

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: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized