Melissa Hentschel

Responsible for the preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate post-operative care of the patient requiring anesthesia for surgical, medical, therapeutic or diagnostic procedures. Provide anesthesia services to patients, review medical history, assist in selecting the type of anesthesia, administer anesthetic, monitor patient during procedure,and provide immediate post-anesthetic care.

• Worked in collaboration with anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians and other medical professionals to deliver anesthesia for medical and surgical procedures.
• Cared for patients before, during and after medical procedures or surgeries by performing patient assessment, prepared patients for anesthesia, administered and maintained anesthesia to ensure proper sedation and pain management, oversaw patient recovery from anesthesia and cared for patient’s immediate post-operative needs.
• Administered anesthetics in accordance with clinical privileges; performed medical non-surgical procedures, i.e., IV insertion, intubation, induction of anesthesia, emergence of general anesthesia; placement of arterial lines, maintained hemodynamic and electrolyte balance, administered epidural bolus/ infusions and secured airways in routine and acute medical situations.
• Worked in operating room and performed general local mac in other offsite areas where patients required sedation for procedures.
• Prepared patients; reviewed medical history, explained procedures, administered anesthetics, monitored patients during surgery and kept record of course of anesthesia.
• Prepared drugs, Accounting for factors such as patient weight, sex and general body type to calculate anesthetic dosages; maintained accounting of controlled substances
• Maintained and evaluated anesthesia equipment to sure safe operating conditions.
• Responded to critical situations arising during treatment and worked with healthcare team to ensure patient safety.
• Evaluated patients pre-operatively by interviewing and examining patient; assessed data and selected appropriate anesthetic.
• Managed emergency situations by initiating or participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Performed in top 97% for Quality Assurance measures.
• Participated in department Quality Management functions.
• Promoted NorthStar Anesthesia’s Core Values.

• Performed quick, concise physical assessments of patients, reviewing their medical history and collaborating with Anesthesiologist about anesthetic plan of care.
• Discussed process of surgical procedure to allay patient fears, taking them through to PACU area.
• Prepared necessary equipment, administered patient specific doses, maintained appropriate levels of anesthesia and vigilantly monitored and adjusted anesthetic to ensure patients are hemodynamically stable, comfortable and safe.
• Selected/inserted invasive monitoring modalities, performed point of care testing, utilized advanced airway techniques, facilitated smooth emergence from anesthesia, implemented appropriate fluid management, and maintained accurate anesthetic record in EPIC.
• Transported patient to and from operating room, monitored en-route and communicated full report to PACU nurse.
• Provided 24/7 emergency coverage to entire hospital for things such as intubations and ACLS Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) assistance. Coordinated skilled emergency response and medical interventions to stabilize patients and treat specific symptoms.
• Shared expertise through mentoring and precepting new CRNAs, SRNAs and Anesthesia Residents; also offered assistance to colleagues as well as providing break relief.
• Maintained accurate controlled substance record and abided by policies of handling/storing of drugs.
• Actively participated in departmental meetings and maintained continuing education hours.
• Maintained membership in good standing with American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists associations.

• In tandem to staff position, assumed leadership role on regular basis for overseeing daily operation and administrative tasks of South Tower anesthesia department.
• Acted as liaison between Anesthesiologists, staff CRNAs, and Anesthesia Residents to provide oversight on daily assignments, coordinating staff with OR case load, addressing staff concerns, and facilitating efficient anesthesia administration.
• Performed as main line of communication with Anesthesiologists, management teams of South Tower Operating Rooms and Suite 100 surgical areas to discuss patient safety concerns and upcoming issues through "morning huddle" and "afternoon huddle".
• Communicated directly with Anesthesia prescreening team to help resolve any patient issues that may delay upcoming day's OR schedule.
• Facilitated coordinating Anesthesia Resident assignments and reassignments at change of shift, as necessary.
• Increased staff awareness of representatives that come to 'trial" new products and helped to find appropriate cases for staff to give feedback.
• Maintained positive and collegial environment between department of surgery and anesthesia.
• Worked closely with Oakland University School of Anesthesia faculty to maintain optimum levels of communication to effectively and efficiently complete student assignments and projects
• Performed anesthesia duties in accordance with all applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment