As a CRNA, you're responsible for a host of duties in and outside of the operating room. Because your education encompasses both the duties of a Registered Nurse as well as the responsibilities associated with being an anesthesiologist, there are many qualities that are solely unique to this profession. The following list primarily sticks to the responsibilities within the clinical setting of a healthcare facilities. According to the American Association of Nursing Anesthetics (AANA), the following clinical responsibilities are considered universal. However, it's imperative to understand these responsibilities may be added to or retracted based upon state and employer discretion.
Primary Clinical Responsibilities of a CRNA
The following clinical responsibilities are applicable to all CRNA's, regardless of the facility in which they're employed:
Primary Clinical Responsibilities of a CRNA
The following clinical responsibilities are applicable to all CRNA's, regardless of the facility in which they're employed:
- Preanesthesia Assessment – Throughout this responsibility, a CRNA reviews the medical history and specific procedure requirements for each patient. It's throughout this assessment an effective patient plan is created based upon the unique factors associated with a patient.
- Labs and Diagnostic Requests – In order to ensure a patient receives the perfect type and amount of anesthetic medicine, certain laboratory or diagnostic tests must be performed. It's the responsibility of the CRNA to determine which of these tests should be executed and to review its results.
- Preanesthetic Medication Selection – Based upon information gathered from the aforementioned responsibilities, a CRNA is capable of determining which preanesthetic medications are ideal for a specific patient to increase safety and efficiency.
- General Anesthesia Medications – For patients who require general anesthesia, it's the responsibility of the CRNA to determine the appropriate drug and dosage amounts based upon unique patient factors and elements.
- Regional Anesthesia Techniques – As a CRNA, you're responsible for determining which regional anesthesia technique should be used. These include: epidural, subarchnoid, caudal, upper/lower extremity, topical, local infiltration, therapeutic nerve blocks, transtracheal, periocular block, intracapsular, intercostal and many others.
- Airway Management Techniques – To ensure a patient remains stable, a CRNA must employ several airway management techniques based upon the level of sedation and type of procedure.
- Pulmonary Artery Catheter Placement – It's the responsibility of the CRNA to place the pulmonary artery catheter should one be required based upon the procedure.
- Central Venous Catheter Placement – Should one be required based upon the procedure, a CRNA is responsible for placing and monitoring this essential catheter.
- Other Responsibilities – There are other clinical responsibilities you'll likely be in charge of, which include: sedation techniques, invasive monitoring, noninvasive monitoring, fluid management, blood/plasma expander, acute/chronic pain therapy and post-anesthesia care and subsequent patient discharge from the recovery room.