Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetist employment opportunities

The following credentials are required to practice as a Nurse Anesthetist in the State of Ohio, and will be requested at the first employment interview:

  • Current RN license for the State of Ohio.
  • Current certification/re-certification from the NBCRNA.
  • BLS and ACLS certifications are a requirement for all locations. NRP and PALS certifications required dependent on practice areas.

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation and supplemental pay rates
  • Generous benefits program including retirement matching and pension program
  • Paid time off, meeting days, and CEU offerings
  • Flexible work schedules

CRNA practice at Cleveland Clinic

A variety of job opportunities are available to CRNAs at Cleveland Clinic. Job opportunities include, but are not limited to the following departments: Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, General Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesiology and Regional Community Practice. All anesthetic techniques in our broad clinical practice are performed by our anesthesia caregivers according to scope of practice, and the Ohio Revised Code. The department is organized into subspecialty sections, including the Sections of Anesthesia for: Acute Perioperative Care, Ambulatory Surgery, Cole Eye Institute, Colorectal Surgery, ENT Surgery, Urology Institute, General Surgery & Organ Transplantation, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Neurological Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology Orthopedic Surgery, Heart & Vascular Surgery, General Pediatrics, and Congenital Cardiac Pediatrics. The Cleveland Clinic Anesthesia Institute utilizes various practice models which vary based on location and patient population. This encompasses (but is not limited to) a care team model which includes CRNAs, CAAs, Staff Anesthesiologist, Residents, and Student Nurse Anesthetists.

Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology

Cleveland Clinic's Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology provides anesthesia each year for more than 4,000 heart surgeries and 1,500 thoracic procedures. Surgical procedures performed in this area include, but are not limited to transplantation, congenital repairs and corrections, ventricular remodeling, dysrhythmia surgery, and thoracic aorta surgery.

General Anesthesia

The Department of General Anesthesiology provides comprehensive perioperative anesthesia services for all non-cardiac surgical procedures at Cleveland Clinic's main campus. . Over 36,000 anesthesia cases and over 100,000 anesthesia hours will be supported in these anesthetizing locations. The Department organization includes clinical direction of over 50 Post Anesthesia Care Unit beds and 18 Surgical Intensive Care Unit beds.

Pediatric Anesthesia

The Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology provides anesthetic care to over 9,000 patients annually undergoing all types of pediatric procedures within several hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers throughout northeast Ohio. The Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology is based on our Cleveland Clinic's Main Campus with 20 anesthetizing locations, providing comprehensive perioperative anesthesia services for pediatric general surgery, congenital heart, digestive diseases, hematology/oncology, acute pain management, and imaging.

Regional Practice

Cleveland Clinic's Regional Practice of Anesthesia provides anesthesia, pain management and critical care medical services to community hospitals and ambulatory centers throughout Ohio. We are committed to bringing our world class anesthesia care to every patient we serve.

All anesthetic techniques are used by the anesthesia care team in our broad clinical practice. The Department is organized into subspecialty Sections, including the Sections of Anesthesia for: Acute Perioperative Care, Ambulatory Surgery, Cole Eye Institute, Colorectal Surgery, ENT Surgery, Urology Institute, General Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Neurological Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery.

CRNA profiles

Brittany Irwin
Sr. Director of CRNAs/CAAs Cleveland Clinic Anesthesia Institute
216.445.4519

In 1999, Brittany Irwin received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. In 2004, she received a Master of Science in Nursing also from Case Western Reserve University, and a Certificate in Nurse Anesthesia from Cleveland Clinic. Brittany practiced in the Department of General Anesthesia from 2004 to 2006, and then joined the initiative to create a Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Brittany was named Chief Nurse Anesthetist in the Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology in March of 2007, and she remains very active in the anesthetic care of the pediatric patient. Additionally, Brittany has served on the Advance Practice Nursing Council for the Cleveland Clinic, and previously pediatric clinical coordinator for the Cleveland Clinic Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Peggy Contrera
Assistant Director of CRNAs/CAAs Cleveland Clinic Anesthesia Institute
216.470.7170

Peggy Contrera received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. In August 2018, she expects to attain her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Akron. Clinically, Peggy practices in the Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. As a longtime faculty member in the School of Nurse Anesthesia, Peggy has shared her passion for education with students for decades. She has several publications related to the practice of cardiac anesthesia and has been a speaker at continuing education conferences across the country. in August 2017, Peggy was named Assistant director of CRNAs/CAAs for the Anesthesia Institute where she is involved in operations, and leads initiatives in the areas of education, career development, quality, and scholarly endeavors.

Jason Beedlow
Chief CRNA, Department of General Anesthesiology
216.444.8658

Jason Beedlow, CRNA, MSN was appointed the Chief CRNA in the Department of General Anesthesiology on Oct. 1, 2009. Mr. Beedlow attended Kent State University and was awarded a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Upon graduation he practiced in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units at Cleveland Clinic. In 2001 Mr. Beedlow graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a Master of Science in Nursing and received his certificate in Nurse Anesthesia from Cleveland Clinic. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Mr. Beedlow remains an active practitioner in the Section of Urological Anesthesia. Mr. Beedlow also enjoys participating in the Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia as a clinical instructor and lecturer.

Carol Ratcliff
Chief CRNA, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia

Carol Ratcliff received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Kent State University, and her certificate in Nurse Anesthesia from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. After practicing in Akron for three years, Carol Ratcliff returned to Cleveland Clinic's main campus in 1986 to work in the Cardiothoracic department. In 1996 she began assuming some supervisory responsibilities for the CRNAs in the Cardiothoracic department, and in 2000 she became the department's first Chief CRNA. As a CRNA in the Cardiothoracic department she participates in the anesthesia care for all cardiac and thoracic procedures including transplants, aneurysms, complex redo operations, and esophageal and thoracic procedures. Her chief responsibilities include scheduling, orienting new employees, and liaison between CRNAs and other cardiac team members. Carol also participates in the clinical instruction and lecturing of the students in the Case Western Reserve University School of Nurse Anesthesia.

Melissa Patterson
Chief CRNA, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
216.444.2129

Melissa Patterson has served as Chief CRNA for the cardiothoracic department since 2021.  As a CRNA in the cardiothoracic department she participates in the anesthesia care for all cardiac and thoracic procedures including transplants, aneurysms, complex redo operations, and esophageal and thoracic procedures. 

Christie Kinney
Chief CRNA, Department of Pediatric Anesthesia

In 2001, Christie Kinney received her Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University. She went on to earn her RN Certificate from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in 2004. Ms. Kinney then began her career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 2009 after earning a Master of Science in Nursing from the Cleveland Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia. She has specialized in Pediatric Anesthesia since 2007 and has served as the Clinical Coordinator for the Pediatric Rotation for registered nurses training in Anesthesia at the Cleveland Clinic. She enjoys the opportunity to precept and provide guidance to the next generations of Nurse Anesthetists.

Scott Cleary
Chief CRNA, Department of Regional Anesthesia Southern Sector

Susan Watson
Chief CRNA, Department of Regional Anesthesia Eastern Sector

Pilar Hutter
Chief CRNA, Department of Regional Anesthesia Western Sector
216.444.8658

Professional links

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapy employment opportunities

Find career opportunities at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and Family Health Centers for registered and registry-eligible respiratory therapists. To apply, select the "Allied Health" category. This exciting opportunity can be found listed as "Respiratory Therapist – CT Anesthesia." A shortcut to job postings can be found by typing "Respiratory Therapist" or "CT Anesthesia" in the keyword search.

Benefits

  • Competitive wages.
  • A scope of practice built upon clinical autonomy.
  • Clinical innovation in the Heart Center, recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.
  • Six-week comprehensive orientation program.
  • ICU experience.
  • On-site CEUs.
  • Meeting allowance for conferences.
  • Variety of shift possibilities such as three 12-hour, four 10-hour or five 8-hour shifts/week with some self-scheduling options.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, holiday, personal and sick days.
  • Flexible benefit package, with options for health, dental, vision and prescription coverage.
  • Savings Investment Plan.
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Pension plan.

Contact information

For additional information regarding employment opportunities and shadowing contact:

Brittany Conley, RRT, BS, MBA
Manager, CTA Respiratory Therapy
Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Ave., Mail Code J4-331
Cleveland, OH 44195
216.444.2920
conleyb@ccf.org