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Nurse Anesthetist 

UCI Series Concepts

Class Specifications - H.35
Principal Nurse Anesthetist - 9142
Senior Nurse Anesthetist - 9143
Nurse Anesthetist - 9144

October, 1979

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SERIES CONCEPT

Nurse Anesthetists administer anesthetics to patients undergoing 
surgical and obstetrical procedures and perform other related duties as 
required.

Incumbents typically determine the condition of patients prior to a 
procedure by reviewing medical records and assessing the patients' 
status according to pertinent findings; select and secure the 
necessary supplies and equipment; assemble and calibrate machines to 
insure proper functioning; administer pre-anesthetic medications as 
prescribed by a physician; plan for and administer anesthetics; observe, 
monitor and record such vital signs as pulse, heart rate, blood 
pressure, respiration, ventilation, urine output and other parameters; 
help in keeping patients relaxed during the procedure; maintain patients 
in a surgical anesthetic state, adjusting oxygen and gas flow or 
injecting prescribed intravenous anesthetic; determine the need for and 
administer fluids and adjunct drugs; keep the surgeon and responsible 
anesthesiologist informed of the patient's condition; take necessary 
remedial action, and administer oxygen to prevent asphyxiation, 
strangulation, or surgical shock; may perform such critical life support 
functions as endotracheal intubation and arterial line insertion, record 
patient's condition prior to, during, and following the administration 
of anesthetic in accordance with legal requirements; record the type of 
anesthetic used; and perform post-operative follow-up in the recovery 
room.

Classes in the Nurse Anesthetist series are distinguished from other 
nursing classes by the performance of a variety of advanced procedures 
related to the administration of anesthetics.

The series consists of three levels.  Nurse Anesthetist is the 
operational level; Senior Nurse Anesthetist is the lead/advanced 
operational level; and Principal Nurse Anesthetist is the full 
supervisory level of the series.

                          CLASS CONCEPTS

PRINCIPAL NURSE ANESTHETIST

Under general direction, incumbents are regularly assigned technical and 
supervisory responsibility for an organizationally recognized 
anesthesia unit or work shift and in addition may perform advanced 
operational duties normally assigned to the Senior Nurse Anesthetist 
class.

Incumbents interview and select prospective employees; review the work 
of subordinate Nurse Anesthetists; conduct performance evaluations; 
monitor the training progress of employees and the orientation of new 
employees; prepare work schedules and work assignments; evaluate work 
load, equipment and staffing; develop curriculum involving clinical 
anesthesia techniques; and provide instruction to medical students, 
non-anesthesia residents, and paramedic trainees.

SENIOR NURSE ANESTHETIST

Under general supervision, incumbents in addition to performing the 
range of duties outlined in the Series Concept are assigned lead 
responsibilities over a group of three full-time-equivalent Nurse 
Anesthetists; or are specifically assigned the more difficult and 
demanding cases as recognized by the American Society of 
Anesthesiologists.

Lead responsibilities typically include direction and training of Nurse 
Anesthetists and students, ordering of supplies and equipment, and 
participation in the assignment of duties and preparation of work 
schedules.

NURSE ANESTHETIST

Under supervision, incumbents perform operational level duties as 
outlined in the Series Concept.  Most positions are allocated to this 
class.

                      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PRINCIPAL NURSE ANESTHETIST

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and possession of the 
legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by 
the California Board of Registered Nursing; graduation from a school of 
anesthesia accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Schools of 
Anesthesia; certification by the Council for Certification of Nurse 
Anesthetists; and four years of experience; or an equivalent combination 
of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to 
the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

SENIOR NURSE ANESTHETIST

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and possession of the 
legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by 
the California Board of Registered Nursing; graduation from a school of 
anesthesia accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Schools of 
Anesthesia; certification by the Council for Certification of Nurse 
Anesthetists; and two years of experience; or an equivalent combination 
of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to 
the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

NURSE ANESTHETIST

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and possession of the 
legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by 
the California Board of Registered Nursing; graduation from a school of 
anesthesia accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Schools of 
Anesthesia; certification the Council for Certification of Nurse 
Anesthetists; and knowledges and utilities essential to the successful 
performance of the duties assigned to the position.

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