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Anesthesiologist Assistants

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

What you’d do

  • Provide airway management interventions including tracheal intubation, fiber optics, or ventilary support.
  • Assist anesthesiologists in monitoring of patients, including electrocardiogram (EKG), direct arterial pressure, central venous pressure, arterial blood gas, hematocrit, or routine measurement of temperature, respiration, blood pressure or heart rate.
  • Control anesthesia levels during procedures.
  • Administer anesthetic, adjuvant, or accessory drugs under the direction of an anesthesiologist.
  • Pretest and calibrate anesthesia delivery systems and monitors.
  • Respond to emergency situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), or pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
  • Collect and document patients' pre-anesthetic health histories.
  • Administer blood, blood products, or supportive fluids.

Skills that matter

  • Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Anesthesia Assistant
  • Anesthesia Technician (Anesthesia Tech)
  • CAA (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant)
  • CAA (Certified Anesthesiology Assistant)
  • Anesthesia Orderly
  • Anesthesiology Assistant

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