The Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is integral to the healthcare, education and research missions at OHSU. In this extraordinary time, we have proudly stepped up our efforts to meet these commitments. We provide clinical services at OHSU hospitals and collaborate with the VA Portland Health Care System and Hillsboro Medical Center. We specialize in providing excellent perioperative care and anesthesia services to our patients using state-of-the-art technology and pharmacologic tools with an emphasis on patient safety. Pre-operative assessment is facilitated by electronic data collecting systems and is integral to minimizing patient risk. Along with our hospitalist partners we are optimizing the use of telemedicine while maintaining sufficient capacity to see higher risk patients. The preoperative medicine clinic ensures elective patients are appropriately screened for SARS- CoV-2 and has initiated a pre-anesthesia evaluation for patients previously infected. In the operating rooms our anesthesiologists work in care teams with our fellows, residents, and nurse anesthetists as well as independently. Post-operative care is under the medical supervision of our department. We play a prominent role in the caring for patients in the cardiovascular, neurosciences, and newly-launched virtual intensive care units. In the ICU our team includes anesthesiology intensivists, critical care fellows, physician assistants/nurse practitioners, and residents. The role of our team in the ICUs is comprehensive and critical to achieving the highest quality outcomes for our patients.

Visit our website Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine (APOM):https://www.ohsu.edu/school-of-medicine/anesthesiology

A CRNA is a member of the OHSU Professional Staff practicing in accordance with the respective bylaws. The CRNA shall provide services as assigned by the supervisor in furtherance of the university’s missions and goals of teaching, research, patient care, outreach and public service. The CRNA is expected to comply with scope of practice, other laws, regulations, OHSU policy, and other applicable professional standards of practice.  

Clinical Service:

• Provides anesthesia care within the care team model commensurate with education, licensure, certification, and within limits of experience and expertise.
  • In collaboration with and under the direct supervision of a medically directing anesthesiologist:
  • Perform pre-anesthetic assessment on all patients.
  • Interpretation and treatment of all pertinent lab and assessment data.
  • Obtain additional lab data, medical testing and additional consultation as appropriate.
  • Develop and implement an anesthetic plan.
  • Proper selection and placement of invasive and non-invasive modalities for monitoring and evaluating patients throughout the perioperative period.
  • Proper selection and administration of anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, fluids and blood products necessary to manage an anesthetic.
  • Verify that all standard and special anesthesia equipment is operational prior to the anesthetic.
  • Induction, maintenance and emergence from anesthesia.
  • Appropriate transfer of care to the postoperative receiving unit.
  • Communicate clinically significant changes in patient condition on surgical intervention to the medically directing anesthesiologist and jointly develop modifications to the anesthesia plan, as indicated.
• In conjunction with other care team members, is responsible for:
  • Using all equipment appropriately and in a safe manner.
  • Lift, move, and position patients utilizing correct body mechanics
  • Promotes best practice in all areas of patient care.
  • Facilitate operating room capacity, case flow and minimize case delays.
  • Promote infection control and participate in quality and patient safety initiatives.

Scholarly Activities:

• Participates in clinical research projects, as approved by the APOM Vice Chair for Research, conducted throughout the perioperative period.
• Participates in ongoing APOM CQI activities as directed by the Chair or appropriate Vice Chair.

Educational Activities:

• Responsible for the didactic and clinical training of learners,  as approved by the APOM Vice Chair for Education and CRNA site director, throughout the Dept APOM, which may include:
  • Paramedic students
  • Flight nurses
  • Perioperative and ICU nursing staff
  • Residents and Fellows from departments outside of anesthesiology
  • Registered Student Nurse Anesthetists
  • Medical students
  • Administrative and support staff
• Active participation in scheduled continuing education opportunities in the Dept APOM.

Administrative Activities:

• May participate in additional departmental or hospital administration as approved by the Chair, supervising Vice Chair or Chief CRNA.

Other activities:

• May engage in public service through activities with OHSU and non-University groups as approved by the Chair.

License/Degree requirements for position:

• Successful completion of a prescribed curriculum from an accredited school of anesthesia by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists [AANA].
• Holds current license in good standing to practice as a CRNA in the state of Oregon.
• Maintains appropriate continuing education credits for CRNA re-certification as defined by the AANA and the council on recertification of nurse anesthetists.
• Holds current BLS and ACLS certification.
• Master’s degree in Nursing

Job related knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to satisfy standards of performance delineated by law and associated professional practice standards
• Ability to manage heavy workload with multiple priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in the use of computing hardware and software, including personal computing equipment, electronic medical record, word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Regular and consistent attendance at work.
• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively as a member of an anesthesia care team.
• Demonstrates reliability, integrity and honesty.
• Possesses the motivation to continuously improve the quality of care and the work environment throughout OHSU and the Hospital.

Physical Requirements/Demands of the Position:

• Standing: on concrete, vinyl, or carpeting intermittently for hours throughout the day.
• Sitting: chair or stool continuous up to 8 hours per day and intermittently.
• Changing position: intermittently, as needed.
• Walking: inermittently throughout the day on concrete, vinyl, and carpeting.
• Carrying: supplies, equipment, books, papers, etc for intermittent periods and distances throughout the day.
• Lifting: a minimum of 20 pounds (patients, equipment, supplies, books, etc) intermittent throughout the day.
• Pushing/Pulling: equipment, patients, etc intermittent throughout the day.
• Bending: from the waist and knees, frequently throughout the day.
• Reaching/Handling: fine manipulation, repetitive, gross motor requiring full ROM in upper extremeties, including overhead reaching.
• Twisting: all ROM required for intermittent periods throughout the day.
• Climbing: staircase, intermittently throughout the day.
• Crawling: infrequently, but possible on vinyl or carpet surface