There are many pieces to becoming an Anesthesiology Assistant. Use the navigation below to explore each aspect of preparing to become an Anesthesiology Assistant.
- What is an Anesthesiologist Assistant?
- Highly skilled professionals working under licensed anesthesiologists and are apart of the anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care.
They accompany patients before, during and after anesthesia to ensure quality and continuity of care.
Trained to assist in CPR and advanced cardiac life support.
Responsibilities include:
Taking complete health history of the patient and performing physical exams to identify issues that could affect the anesthesia care plan
Administering diagnostic and laboratory tests (taking blood)
Preparatory procedures like pulmonary artery catheterization, electroencephalographic spectral analysis, etc.
Inducing, sustaining and adjusting anesthesia levels
Administrative duties, research and clinical instruction
Average salary range: $95,000-180,000
More information here: https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/allied-health-professions/anesthesiologist-assistant/
Watch a video about the profession here: https://www.anesthetist.org/about-the-profession - Becoming an Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Obtain a Bachelor's degree: Must complete a four-year college degree and take necessary pre-medical curriculum (4+ years)
Apply to a Master’s program: in anesthesia that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (2 years)
The program focuses on course work enhancing basic knowledge in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy and biochemistry with emphasis on the the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, and neuromuscular systems.
Clinical part provides experience in patient monitoring, anesthesia delivery systems, life support systems and skills needed to provide compassionate and quality care
Will administer at least 600 different anesthetics during surgery
Pass a Certification Exam administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants. Look here: https://www.nccaatest.org/CertificationExamHandbook.pdf - Anesthesiology Assistant Prerequisites
Anesthesiology Assistant Program Prerequisites Courses to Take at UC Davis General Chemistry CHE 2ABC Organic Chemistry CHE 118ABC Advanced College Math (including Calculus) MAT 16ABC, MAT 17ABC, OR MAT 21 ABC & STA 13 OR STA 100 Physics with lab PHY 7ABC OR PHY 9ABC General Biology BIS 2ABC Advanced Biology any combination of courses including: BIS 101, BIS 102, BIS 103, BIS 105, BIS 104, etc. * Check you major requirements before choosing classes.
Note: The above courses are only suggested, not absolute.
More information can be found here: https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx- Experiences
- Choose experiences that are meaningful to you and think outside the box!
Here are some good places to start looking for experiences at UC Davis:
Health Related Internships through the Internship and Career Center (ICC)
Opportunities to publish and present research through the Undergraduate Research Center
Global Health Internships through Study Abroad
Health Internships through the Washington Program
Volunteering for the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference
Completing community service using the ICC Community Service Database
Join a Pre-Health related club or other student organizations through the Center for Student Involvement
Volunteer at a Student Run Clinic - Applying to Anesthesiology Assistant Programs
- Apply to anesthesiology assistant programs by using this search tool: https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx