The mission of AANA Peer Assistance includes:
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Assessing the nature and impact of the disease of addiction on nurse anesthesia practice.
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Educating nurse anesthetists, students, employers and the public about addiction.
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Investigating the availability and effectiveness of treatment modalities.
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Advocating research into the education, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery of addiction.
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Assisting individuals or organizations when requested in the formulation of guidelines regarding intervention, treatment, aftercare and reentry into the workplace of addicted nurse anesthetists.
Quite a mouthful! The AANA is THE cutting edge professional health care group when it comes to the topic of chemical dependency in the health care professional. We want to see the OSANA carry that tradition into our state for ALL CRNA's and SRNA's! Unfortunately there is a great deal of myth, misbelief and misinformation about this DISEASE, despite the abundance of information gathered through research by numerous groups world wide. Disseminating this current information and evidence based recommendations for treatment and management is one of the main duties of the State Peer Assistance Advisor (SPAA).
So, what are State Peer Assistance Advisors, and what are the qualifications required by the AANAfor this position?
The state peer advisor must:
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Maintain an active unencumbered RN license or demonstrate the ability to comprehend the challenges to the CRNA with impairment issues by virtue of past experiences. Those without a personal experience with addiction must be conversant with the principles and resources of recovery;
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Current American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Membership - Active, Inactive or Retired status;
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Evidence of working knowledge of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) principles and resources, or other fellowship groups;
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If in recovery, he or she must be able to demonstrate to the Peer Assistance Advisors Group active involvement in a recognized recovery program through:
1. Abstinence-based drug-free lifestyle
2. Negative random drug screens
3. Addiction physician specialist involved in continuing care.
4. When pain is part of the life of the SPA in recovery, they should be willing to demonstrate appropriate pain assessment and management for episodes of chronic or acute pain.
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Be able to attend state association meetings to conduct their wellness committee meetings, encourage AIR meetings and provide resource information personally or with a wellness/peer assistance exhibit.
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Conflict of interest issues must be addressed - SPAs who serve on a Board of Nursing or selection board for alternative programs, they may participate in discussion but should remove themselves from a final vote in the matter of a CRNA to avoid a perceived conflict of interest or bias.
I am humbled an honored to be the SPAA for the state of Ohio. I am also honored to discover the PAAC developed these qualifications to enable me to fill this position. This is not something I take lightly, and it is my mission to make sure the SRNA's and CRNA's in Ohio receive the best possible representation I can provide.
Please, don't hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. That's why we have SPAA's. To provide the information and advocacy for ALL our colleagues.
Jack Stem
