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Anesthesiology Assistant Program

Profession
 
Where do AAs practice?

Anesthesiologist Assistants now work in eighteen states. In those states where anesthesiologist assistants practice, they work under either delegatory provisions of a medical practice act or regulations derived from a medical practice act.

The states in which AAs work by a license, regulation, and/or certification are:


  • Alabama
  • Colorado

  • District of Columbia

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Kentucky

  • Missouri

  • New Mexico (university hospital settings)
  • North Carolina

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • South Carolina

  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin

The states in which AAs are granted practice privilege through physician delegation (meaning the anesthesiologist can delegate specific anesthesia tasks to an AA):


  • Michigan

  • New Hampshire

  • Texas

  • West Virginia

Certification Process

The National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) provides the certification process for anesthesiologist assistants in the United States.  The certification process involves initial certification by successfully completing the Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants, registration of continuing medical education credit every two years, and successfully completing an Examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications every six years.  Because employment as an anesthesiologist assistant in almost every locale is contingent upon certification, it is the expectation of the Program that each student will plan for, apply for, and take the Certifying Examination in his/her year of graduation.

The cost of the NCCAA Certifying Examination is currently $ 1327.50.

The cost of CDQ Examination is currently $742.50, and is required every 6 years.

The cost of CME registration is currently $190. Forty hours of CME are required every two years.

Additional information is available on the NCCAA.

Other AA Programs

There are currently five other AA programs, all in the United States. To contact a program for information, to schedule a visit, or  to sponsor a student clinical rotation at your facility please select the appropriate link below.

Emory Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

57 Executive Park South, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30329

Telephone:  404.727.5910

Fax:  404.727.3021

Email:  admissions@emoryaaprogram.org

Case Western Reserve, Cleveland Campus

MS in Anesthesiology Program

University Hospitals of Cleveland

Dept. of Anesthesiology Lakeside 2532

11100 Euclid Ave

Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5007

Telephone: 216-844-4870

Fax: 216-844-7349




Case Western Reserve, Houston Campus

MS in Anesthesiology Program

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

UT Professional Building

6410 Fannin, Suite 480

Houston, Texas 77030

Telephone: 713-574-9491

Fax: 713-512-8400




Case Western Reserve, Washington, DC Campus

MS in Anesthesiology Program

Telephone: 216-844-8077

Fax: 216-844-7349




Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale Campus

College of Allied Health and Nursing

Nova Southeastern University,

Terry Administration Building

3200 S. University Drive

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328

Telephone: 1-800-541-6682, ext. 21111




Nova Southeastern University, Tampa Campus

Tampa Student Educational Center

3632 Queen Palm Drive

Tampa, FL 33619

Telephone: 1-800-541-6682, ext. 21111




South University

School of Health Professions

South University

709 Mall Blvd

Savannah, GA 31406

Telephone: 912-201-8083

Fax: 912-201-8070




University of Missouri-Kansas City

Master of Science in Anesthesia Program

School of Medicine

2411 Holmes Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Telephone:  816-235-5412

Fax: 816-235-6629

Links

The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA)

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Colorado Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAA)

Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists (CSA)
​​Anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) are highly educated allied health professionals who work under the direction of an anesthesiologist to help develop and implement the anesthetic plan, as prescribed by the anesthesiologist. AAs work exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment, as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. All AAs have completed premedical coursework, a baccalaureate degree, and a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school level.  AAs participate in the provision of all types of anesthesia including: preoperative assessment, administering drugs, obtaining vascular access, applying and interpreting monitors, and establishing and maintaining the patient's airway.
​

The profession maintains a typical work week with options for on-call, evening, or weekend assignments. Salaries, scope of practice and, job descriptions are identical to certified registered nurse anesthetists when working within the Anesthesia Care Team. Starting salaries vary by region but typically range from $110,000 - $120,000.

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

  • Pretesting and calibrating of anesthesia delivery systems and monitors
  • Collecting preoperative data and performing physical examinations
  • Inserting venous, arterial, and other invasive catheters
  • Any duties which encompass assistance of the implementation of the anesthetic plan as prescribed by the anesthesiologist
  • Airway management including bask-mask ventilation and intubation via direct or video laryngoscopy/fiberoptics
  • Making anesthetic adjustments using intraoperative monitoring modalities
  • Providing safe transition between operating room, recovery area, and/or Intensive Care Unit.
  • Performing functions in the intensive care unit and pain clinic
  • Participating in administrative affairs, research, education and clinical instruction

For more information about the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession and facts ab​​out AAs, visit the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants or American Society of Anesthesiologists. ​

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