8-hour shifts

Full details

The CRNA serves as a member of the anesthesia care team at a Kaiser Permanente facility in Santa Clara, delivering intravenous, spinal and other anesthetics before and during surgical or medical procedures. The role involves watching patient responses and vital signs both during and after anesthesia, acting quickly when corrective steps are needed, and filing a postoperative report on each patient's condition along with accurate records of every anesthetic given.

Pre-anesthesia work is a major part of the position. The nurse anesthetist evaluates patients before procedures, reviews charts including permits, preoperative medications, laboratory results and any relevant variations such as hearing aids, dentures, contact lenses or prostheses, and looks for possible airway difficulties. Findings are documented thoroughly, and patients and families receive explanations of tests, procedures and the major anesthetic risks, with that discussion recorded.

Once a plan is reviewed with the supervising physician and approved, the CRNA carries it out by starting IV lines, selecting and giving anesthetics suited to the patient's safety, surgical needs and history, and mixing drugs to required concentrations. The nurse also handles handoffs to post-anesthesia care staff, monitors blood pressure and other vital signs, reports changes to the anesthesiologist or surgeon, and provides interventions such as infant resuscitation when necessary.

The role also covers procedures performed outside the operating room, such as intubation and arterial line placement, carried out under facility policy, documented competencies and physician orders, with details charted in progress notes. The posting notes that Kaiser Permanente reviews positions routinely and may revise job descriptions or change pay status with notice to affected employees.