Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - Anesthesiology

Utilizes both management and leadership skills to recruit and retain an exceptional CRNA team to support the perioperative services of the University of Maryland Department of Anesthesiology and Program in Trauma. Partners with Anesthesiology Chair and Clinical Directors to organize and deliver the highest-quality anesthesia care to surgical and procedural patients. Acting as a senior leader within the Department of Anesthesiology, fosters interprofessional collaboration that recognizes different professional backgrounds and licenses while encouraging all anesthesia providers to use their entire skill set to the benefit of patients. Contributes to the planning of department goals and objectives; makes recommendations to Department Chair, Clinical Directors, hospital leaders, and Senior Administrator. In collaboration with an attending anesthesiologist, evaluates and provides for the successful induction, maintenance, and recovery from anesthesia of surgical and procedural patients.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Required:

*Graduate of a nurse anesthesia education program accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs or its predecessor

*Nurse anesthesia master’s degree, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral degree

*Current certification or re-certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

*Current Registered Nurse licensure and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) by the Maryland Board of Nursing

*Five years’ experience as a CRNA in an academic medical center

*Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

*Preferred: Three years’ experience in a progressively responsible administrative position

*Experience in an academic medical center

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

1. Assists in the management of department and hospital operations.

 

a. Communicates on a regular basis with physician leadership within the Department of Anesthesiology, Program in Trauma, and partnering hospitals concerning issues which may affect CRNA staffing or other areas of perioperative operation.
b. Provides comprehensive oversight of CRNA services, including facilitating schedules and room assignments (including on-call arrangements and emergency/unanticipated changes) that appropriately match skills and the background of anesthesia providers to the planned surgery.
c. Responds to departmental needs of the anesthesia care team in terms of shift assignments, duties outside the operating room and in the teaching and supervision of students and trainees.
d. Conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings; facilitates communication among the members of CRNA team; fosters interprofessional collaboration.
e. Maintains awareness of professional practice standards and relevant regulations of The Joint Commission related to the delivery of anesthesia services. In coordination with physician leadership, assures department and hospital policies and procedures are interpreted, observed, and applied accurately.
f. Assists hospital with The Joint Commission site visit readiness by reviewing policies and procedures, facilitating updates as required; assists in maintaining department policy and procedure manual; prepares CRNA team to explain standards to reviewers.

g. Develops and maintains quality improvement initiatives for CRNAs in coordination with the department’s Safety, Clinical Outcomes, Research, and Effectiveness (SCORE) Program; including QA activities, such as ensuring reviews for specific indicators; serves as a resource for hospital Quality Assurance Committee.
h. Assists the Chair of Anesthesiology and Senior Administrator in preparing and administering CRNA operating budgets; monitors CRNA expenditures assuring adherence to approved budgets.
i. Participates in department and hospital committees as requested.
j. Provides anesthesia care before, during, and after surgery as needed.

2. Interviews, hires, orients, manages, evaluates, and counsels CRNAs as necessary, in accordance with FPI/Department and applicable hospital policies and procedures.

a. Develops and manages CRNA recruitment and recruitment strategies in coordination with Department Chairman and Senior Administrator, actively participating in CRNA recruitment, interviews, selection, and hiring process.
b. In coordination with physician leadership, establishes clear and concise standards of performance for CRNA team.
c. Develops and monitors the orientation and training processes for CRNAs; assists CRNAs in identifying and meeting learning needs related to applicable policies, procedures, and established standards of performance; promotes a positive learning environment and en