At Houston Methodist, the Anesthesia Technologist position is responsible for performing all anesthesia technician job duties and/or specialized responsibilities as a regular part of their normal job responsibilities. This position also assists with Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) equipment management, which includes operation, distribution and tracking of MCS systems. The Anesthesia Technologist position assists with support of patients with ventricular assist devices, if applicable, and intra-aortic balloon pumps. This position assists in transportation of patients to diagnostic testing and procedures and provide support in staying with patients during inpatient and outpatient procedures as a trained MCS healthcare provider. Duties for this position may be varied and may include many of the following: train and mentor staff, participate in the development of skills and performance of staff, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Orients, guides, and mentors team members consisting of Anesthesia Technicians and support staff, to help build confidence and competency in skills, knowledge, and abilities. Serves as a resource and trainer for staff in anesthesia support activities.

• Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Communicates clinical information clearly and professionally as needed to physicians, operating room staff and nurses. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills. Facilitates problem resolution.

• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with ventricular assist devices in intensive and acute care to assess operation of the device.

• Assists with insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump catheters. Rounds on patients with intra-aortic balloons in place to assess operation of the device.

• Works independently, exercising sound judgment and executing above-average clinical skills on challenging anesthesia procedures, patient care situations and in all monitoring and anesthesia locations including but not limited to operating rooms, catheterization laboratories, intensive care units, and other patient care areas where anesthesia is performed.

• Assists the anesthesia providers, perfusion, and other members of the patient care team as needed in the provision of patient care before, during and after procedures. Drives department activities to improve department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Focuses on the quality and patient safety in all tasks surrounding auto transfusion. Recommends improvements as needed.

• Performs intra-operative auto-transfusion according to established policies. Monitors instruments and takes corrective action if necessary. Monitors multiple cases simultaneously when applicable.

• Processes QC specimens to be evaluated. Conducts quality audits, performs, evaluates, interprets, and documents operational checks of equipment within established guidelines.

• Prepares, tests, and operates the following equipment in accordance with standard practices to serve patients: Autologous Autotransfusion (Cell Saver), Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP).

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety. Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs error promptly into documentation system to improve processes and identify trends.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks and provides leadership to team members on effective and efficient utilization of time, minimizing incidental overtime.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in committees and task forces as assigned, ensuring that critical objectives are clearly explained, and action items are appropriately performed. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs as a Technologist and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Associate's degree in Anesthesia program or equivalent health-related field or two additional years of experience in lieu of degree

• Completion of an intra-operative blood salvage training program preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years' experience as an Anesthesia Tech

• One year experience operating a cell saver machine or anesthesia equipment, or clinical laboratory instrumentation preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• Cer.A.TT - Certified Anesthesia Technologist (ASATT) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) AND
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Anesthesia Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Demonstrates ability to collaborate effectively in an interprofessional team

• Demonstrates organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills

• Ability to function independently and as a team member

• Ability to manage a varied and busy work environment

• Demonstrates high level of motivation to teach others and to participate in activities to improve patient care

• Must reflect a professional appearance and demeanor

• Must possess excellent customer service skills

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.