CRNA

Scope of Practice

  • All Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) must hold an active South Dakota nursing license to practice nursing.
  • SDCL 36-9-3.1 outlines the legal scope of practice for CRNAs who practice in the state of South Dakota, in-person or via telehealth. 
  • Nurses and employers are encouraged to use the Board's APRN Scope of Practice Decisioning Algorithm as a guide to making decisions on whether a specific task, intervention, or activity is in a CRNA's scope.

Telehealth

  • All health care providers, including nurses, are expected to adhere to the requirements in SDCL 34-52 when providing services to patients located in South Dakota through telehealth. SDCL 34-52 includes the definition of telehealth and the requirements for treatment of patients, provider-patient relationship and exceptions, consultation recommendations, examination, prescribing, informed consent, and medical records.

Collaboration Requirement

  • CRNAs are required to collaborate with a physician, dentist, podiatrist, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or a physician assistant when providing anesthesia services; or other health care providers when engaging in chronic pain practice.
  • Collaboration is defined in SDCL 36-9-1 (7), as "the act of communicating pertinent information or consulting with a licensed physician or other licensed health care provider with each provider contributing the provider's respective expertise to optimize the overall care delivered to the patient.”

Prescribing                                                                                                          

Nothing in SDCL 36-9-3.1 prohibits the practice of a CRNA to administer CS drugs, or to order CS preoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively in accordance with chapter 34-20B or per institutional policy.

Additional Links 

Pain Management & Radiography

  • Prior to a CRNA performing pain management procedures or using fluoroscopy, the CRNA, who is not practicing in a licensed facility or institution, must complete a board-approved educational program specific to pain management and fluoroscopy and send the completion certificate to the board.  
  • Education content must include:
    • Radiation physics, radiobiology, radiological safety, and radiation management, applicable to the use of fluoroscopy.
    • Physiology of pain, pain assessment, and treatment options, and demonstration of competence to perform a procedure(s).
  • Pain management procedures may include use of medications, regional anesthetic techniques, therapeutic injections, sympathetic blocks, and other pain relief modalities performed or administered in compliance with accepted standards of practice.
A CRNA who performs pain management procedures or uses fluoroscopy in an institution or health care setting, such as a hospital or surgical center, licensed under SDCL chapter 34-12, and who has met radiological requirements in ARSD 44:75 and 44:76, must meet the institution's requirements prior to using fluoroscopy or performing pain management procedures.

Pre-approved Education Courses:

Applicable Rules

  • ARSD 20:48:04:10 - Clarifies that CRNAs may order, interpret and supervise radiographic procedures, including fluoroscopy, according to ARSD chapter 44:03.
  • ARSD 20:48:04:11 -- Specifies pain procedures CRNAs may perform with required education.
Page Updated: 4/5/2024 10:10:07 AM