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Anesthesiologist Assistant |
Career OverviewAnesthesiologist assistants (AAs) belong to a relatively new profession in the field of health care. Their role is relatively unknown but nonetheless very important.
Working under a physician's supervision, anesthesiologist assistants administer anesthesia to patients, in the operating rooms and recovery rooms of hospitals. They may also work in clinics and outpatient clinics in which anesthesia are in regular use as part of patient treatment.
For the post part, anesthesiologist assistants are responsible for monitoring patients under anesthesia and maintaining their vital status during operations. The immediate supervisor of an anesthesiologist assistant is a physician, who typically supervises an entire floor or hospital department, which may employ several anesthesiologist assistants at a time.
Typically, anesthesiologist assistants are present and assisting when an anesthesiologist, who has full medical training, induces the patient's sleep before the onset of surgery. They are also present as assistants when the anesthesiologist reviews a patient's status after the completion of a surgical operation.
Amongst their general duties, anesthesiologist assistants also review medical and surgical data before and after patient treatment with anesthesiologists in an effort to analyze the effectiveness of the anesthesia used.
Whilst the first training program of anesthesiologist assistants emerged in the mid-1970s and anesthesiologist assistants have been trained and hired by hospitals and outpatient clinics around the country, anesthesiologist assistants are still relatively new to the health care system as a whole. The job is particularly suited to those with a strong interest in medicine combined with a desire to be challenged intellectually by their work from day to day.
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Career RequirementsAnesthesiologist assistants need a number of qualifications. They need a Bachelor's Degree to be accepted into any training program in the field. Most programs recommend and prefer premedical, biological, or chemistry majors, and applicants with backgrounds in nursing, medical technology, or respiratory therapy. Some anesthesiologist assistants enter the field directly from college, via an approved training program, whilst others enter the field with extensive experience in the health-care field.
The anesthesiologist assistant training programs last two years and lead to master's degrees. The training programs typically focus on the study of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. They also integrate theoretical, classroom-based study with supervised clinical experience.
Once individuals have completed a two-year training program and earned the required Master's Degree, they are required to pass a certified examination organized by the National Commission on the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants.
For more information about anesthesiologist assistant programs, contact the following organizations:
The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants,
P.O. Box 13978, Tallahasse, FL 32317
Emory University,
617 Woodruff Memorial Building,
Atlanta, GA 30322
www.emory.edu
University Hospital of Cleveland,
11100 Euclid,
Cleveland, OH 44106
www.uhrad.com
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Job OutlookEmployment opportunities for anesthesiologist assistants vary from state to state. Most work in the states of Georgia and Ohio, simply because these are the two states that are home to the accredited training programs in the field. However, anesthesiologists can obtain licenses to practice across the United States. There are no specific state restrictions that limit employment opportunities in a particular state.
Generally, anesthesiologist assistants are in high demand and recent graduates of the accredited training programs can expect to receive relatively high starting salaries. There are also plenty of opportunities, and some incentives provided, for qualified and talented anesthesiologist assistants to pursue medical degrees and train as anesthesiologists so that they can take on more professional responsibilities and excel in what is generally considered a highly specialized and intensely dynamic medical field.
The current career outlook for anesthesiologist assistants is very positive although its quality is less certain long-term. At present, there are many opportunities to work in a clinical setting, taking responsibility for patient care. On the other hand, some administrative, consultant, and research positions are also available to qualified applicants and teaching may become an increasingly significant element of the field.
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Career TrackAt this time, graduating anesthesiologist assistants are in high demand. The starting salaries are currently quite attractive and are likely to include a range of additional benefits.
There are plenty of opportunities for anesthesiologist assistants at present, although future demand for these professionals is uncertain. The field depends on the impact of managed health care and the extent to which the use of anesthesiologist assistants can lower costs and meet the demands for professionals trained in anesthesiology.
Regardless of the future need for anesthesiologist, gradates of anesthesiologist assistant training programs and those with experience practicing as anesthesiologist assistants are eligible candidates for medial school and may eventually become anesthesiologists by this route. As a career track, training and experience as an anesthesiologist assistant will be viable for some time.
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CompensationA career as an anesthesiologist assistant is rewarding both intellectually and financially. Although annual salaries can vary considerably, depending on where individuals work, the annual pay is generally between $28,000 and $38,000 per year.
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