How To Become Anesthesiologist Assistant?
Anesthesiologist assistants are medical professionals who help to manage anesthesia for patients. They work closely with anesthesiologists and surgeons to ensure that the patient is receiving the best possible care during surgery or other medical procedures.
Anesthesiologist assistants are trained to administer anesthesia, monitor patients’ vital signs and heart rhythms during surgery, assist with blood transfusions during surgery, prepare patients for surgery, monitor their recovery after surgery, and educate them about their procedure. Anesthesia can be administered in various ways including intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), or orally. Some anesthesiologist assistants also perform minor surgical procedures such as incisions and biopsies under direct supervision from an experienced physician or surgeon.
In order to become an anesthesiologist assistant you must first complete a bachelor’s degree program in nursing or another related field such as biology or chemistry. Most schools require students to complete at least one year of clinical experience before applying for a graduate program in nursing or another related field such as biology or chemistry. It is also recommended that students complete some basic science courses before entering school so they have a good understanding of how drugs affect the body and how biological processes work.
How To Become Anesthesiologist Assistant
Anesthesiologist assistants provide anesthetic care to patients under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists. Becoming an anesthesiologist assistant requires extensive education, experience and certification.
In this article, we discuss what an anesthesiologist assistant is, the duties and average salary of an anesthesiologist assistant, how to become one and provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding the field.
Key takeaways
- An anesthesiologist assistant, also known as an anesthetist, are health professionals who work under licensed anesthesiologists to design and implement unique anesthesia care plans for patients who undergo anesthesia.
- Anesthesiologist assistants in the United States make an average of $127,425 per year.
- Certified anesthesiologist assistants must obtain a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree from an accredited anesthesia program and obtain a certification from the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
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What is an anesthesiologist assistant?
An anesthesiologist assistant, also known as an anesthetist, is a skilled health professional who provides anesthetic care under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. They use special tools to monitor anesthesia and its effect on patients. Other tasks include general supportive measures that allow the main anesthesiologist to perform their job better.
Anesthesiologist assistants do most of their work while standing and often work evenings and weekends. While in the operating room, they follow strict procedures and standards to keep a sterile environment and promote healing and recovery.
Anesthesiologist assistants must complete six years of higher education (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) and typically find employment in hospitals’ surgery and emergency care departments. Most states require that an anesthesiologist assistant earns certification as a certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA).
Related: Learn About Being a Medical Assistant
What does an anesthesiologist assistant do?
In supporting an anesthesiologist, an anesthesiologist assistant gathers patient data, evaluates patient mental and physical health and helps administer unique care plans for individual patients. They also stay with patients before, during and after procedures, ensuring quality care at every stage of the process. In some cases, anesthesiologist assistants receive supervisory authority within laboratory settings.
Other supportive tasks include:
- Testing anesthesia delivery systems
- Establishing patient monitoring devices and intravenous access
- Assisting in the application and interpretation of advanced monitoring techniques such as pulmonary artery catheterization or echocardiography
- Assisting in the induction, maintenance and emergence of a patient’s anesthetic
- Securing the patient’s airway through a mask, endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway
- Interpreting and recording the patient’s physiological and pharmacological status
As with any medical staff, AAs are also responsible for basic medical functions when needed. These include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other basic life support methods.
Related: Anesthetist vs. Anesthesiologist: Definitions and Differences
Anesthesiologist assistant salary and job outlook
The national average salary for an anesthesiologist assistant is $127,425 per year, according to Glassdoor. Because the field requires a relatively high level of specific medical knowledge, experience and education, these professionals are often in high demand.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job outlooks for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, careers that are closely related to anesthesiologist assistants, are expected to grow by 45% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Related: How Much Do Anesthesiologist Assistants Earn? (Plus Other FAQs)
How to become an anesthesiologist assistant
Becoming an anesthesiologist assistant requires extensive education, training and experience. It requires individuals to perform well under high amounts of stress and in emergency situations. Those that seek to pursue this career path usually follow the following four steps:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree.
Individuals often start their educational journey by earning a four-year degree in chemistry, biology or a related field. However, this is a competitive industry, and it shows in the education system. For example, those who attend accredited institutions with pre-med programs are more likely to get into medical school. Advanced medical programs may require a high GPA to enter, with some minimums being 3.4 or greater.
Related: 10 Undergraduate Majors To Prepare for Medical School
2. Obtain experience in an operating room.
Many graduate programs require previous experience setting before applying. Some programs require applicants to spend a certain amount of hours shadowing an anesthesia care team within an operating room or another acute care setting. Students earn this requirement either on their own or from a previous school program. Some individuals contact their local emergency room, asking if they have any opportunities for students.
3. Earn a graduate degree.
Similar to other medical professions, in order to be an anesthesiologist assistant, you must obtain a master’s degree. When choosing a program, students often consult the American Academy of Anesthesiology Assistant (AAAA) for a list of accredited institutions with an anesthesiologist assistant program. These master’s programs require at least two full academic years to complete, or 24-28 months.
Some schools offer a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on anesthesia, however, this is a very different program.
Related: CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: Career Differences and Similarities
4. Obtain a certification.
After completing an accredited anesthesiologist assistant program, a student may become a CAA by passing the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants examination. To re-certify, a CAA must complete 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years and register the activities with NCCAA. Additionally, CAAs must take the Continuing Demonstration of Qualification (CDQ) exam every six years.
In 2023, the NCCAA will restructure and modernize the exam and fee schedule, and CAAs will take the CDQ exam every 10 years instead of every six years.
Related: 12 Health Care Jobs That Pay Well
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Frequently asked questions about anesthesiologist assistants
Those interested in being an anesthesiologist assistant often ask the same questions. This section outlines some of the most common, including:
Where are anesthesiologist assistant programs located?
As of 2022, the AAAA lists 10 accredited schools that offer master’s degrees for anesthesiologist assistants:
- Case Western Reserve University: Austin, Texas*; Cleveland; Houston; and Washington, D.C.
- Emory University: Atlanta
- Indiana University: Indianapolis
- Medical College of Wisconsin: Milwaukee
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED): Rootstown, Ohio*
- Nova Southeastern University: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Denver-Centennial, Colorado*; Jacksonville, Florida*
- Ohio Dominican University: Columbus, Ohio*
- South University: Savannah, Georgia
- University of Colorado: Aurora, Colorado
- University of Missouri-Kansas City: Kansas City, Missouri
*Association of Anesthesiologist Assistant Education Programs (AAAEP) Provisional Program. Provisional members are AA programs which are or will be applicants for CAAHEP accreditation.
What specific requirements do programs look for?
There is a wide range of acceptable bachelor’s programs and each offers different options for classes. Although they may differ, anesthesiologist assistant programs seek the following qualifications:
- Two semesters of biology with a lab component
- Two semesters of vertebrate anatomy and physiology with a lab component
- Two semesters of general chemistry (organic or biochemistry with a lab component)
- Two semesters of general physics with a laboratory component
- Two semesters of advanced college mathematics, including calculus
Depending on the subject matter, some other credits count toward the classes listed. For more information, visit the website for the individual school in which to apply.
Related: 15 Careers in the Operating Room (Plus Average Salaries)
What are the legal requirements for an anesthesiologist assistant to practice?
In some areas, an anesthesiologist assistant may need licensure. Those without licenses practice under the authority of a licensed anesthesiologist with delegatory authority. In this case, anesthesiologists may delegate specialized tasks to the assistant as long as they remain readily available in the immediate vicinity. The licensed anesthesiologist retains full responsibility of patient care.
What is the difference between delegatory authority and licensure?
A board of medicine, through state law, regulates the standards required in issuing licenses. Although difficult to obtain, anesthesiologist assistant licensure solidifies an individual’s authority to practice within their state.
Alternatively, delegatory authority, either initiated by a board of medicine or a state’s medical practice act, grants the ability to practice under specific circumstances. Most states recognize delegatory authority as long as the licensed anesthesiologist on-site remains responsible for patients and proves that the assistant has the proper qualifications to work.
No matter which state the assistant practices in, their state board of medicine retains full authority over the practitioner.
