Nurse Practitioner Pre-Anesthesia Services

At Northbay Health, The Nurse Practitioner (NP) of Pre-Anesthesia Services will provide comprehensive preoperative assessment and optimization for patients scheduled for surgery, working collaboratively with anesthesiology, surgical teams, and primary care providers. The NP is directed by standardized protocols and procedures. There is ongoing collaboration between the NP and the supervising physicians.

Primary Job Duties

1. Conducts thorough pre-anesthesia history and physical examinations, including review of comorbidities, medications, allergies, and prior anesthesia/surgical history.

2. Orders and interprets appropriate preoperative labs, EKGs, imaging, and diagnostic testing based on patient risk factors and procedure type.

3. Risk-stratifies patients using ASA classification and identifies the need for additional cardiac, pulmonary, or specialty clearance.

4. Optimizes chronic conditions (e. g., diabetes, hypertension, anticoagulation management) prior to surgery in coordination with PCPs and specialists.

5. Provides patient education on preoperative instructions, medication management (including anticoagulants/antiplatelets), and anesthesia expectations.

6. Documents clearly and thoroughly in the EHR to communicate risk factors and optimization plans to the anesthesia and surgical teams.

7. Manages anticoagulation bridging protocols and coordinates perioperative medication holds/resumes.

8. Identifies and escalates high-risk patients requiring anesthesiologist or specialist consultation prior to surgery.

9. Participates in clinic quality initiatives, case cancellation reduction efforts, and day-of-surgery delay prevention.

10. Participates in the development of standards of care and standards of practice for Preoperative Services.

11. Participates in data collection and outcome measurement to ensure quality care is being provided.

12. Acts as a resource for staff.

13. Assists in the development and implementation of special projects and programs and assists in the monitoring of results.

14. Works collaboratively with team members to ensure appropriate and efficient flow of patients through clinic appointments.

15. Delivers and promotes excellent patient experience, as well as delivers excellent service to internal and external customers.

16. Performs all tasks and procedures delegated consistent with the supervising physician's specialty or usual and customary practice.

Qualifications

1. Education: Master's graduate of an accredited nursing program including a Nurse Practitioner Program. Evidence of training related to specialty focus mandatory.

2. Licensure/Credentials: Current California licensure as a Nurse Practitioner.

Board Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, or Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Maintains a current Furnishing Number for medications. Maintains a current DEA license for schedule II drugs and above or can achieve within 60 days of hire. AHA or equivalent BLS required.

3. Experience: Minimum of two years' experience as a NP practicing in a related field. Minimum of one year's experience in the designated specialty area.

4. Skills: Demonstrates ability to evaluate patient's physical and emotional status. Demonstrates ability to provide patient care based on age-related needs. Demonstrates current knowledge and skill in providing appropriate care for patients in the following age groups: adult, adolescent, pediatric and geriatric. Ability to use computer, MS Word, Outlook.

5. Standards of Performance: Demonstrates performance by adhering to established policies and procedures and exhibiting the defined characteristics associated with attendance and punctuality. Attendance is an essential function of the job.

6. Physical Skills/Effort: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly standing, has periods of sitting, bending, computer keyboarding, and lifting not greater than 50 lbs.

7. Hours of Work: Variable hours Monday–Friday, 0800–1700, with flexibility for meetings or department needs.