What does an Anesthesiologist Assistant do?
Anesthesiologist Assistants are integral members of the anesthesia care team, ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the surgical experience. Their advanced training and collaborative approach exemplify the commitment to excellence in perioperative care – American Society of Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs) are highly skilled healthcare professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans.
Their responsibilities include:
- Conducting patient assessments and obtaining medical histories.
- Administering anesthesia under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs before, during, and after anesthesia.
- Assisting in life-saving measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Managing post-anesthesia care and ensuring patient recovery.
AAs practice exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team model, emphasizing patient safety through a collaborative approach.
Choosing This Field
When figuring out if this profession is right for you, make sure to explore a variety of resources to learn about the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) career path, engage in regular self-reflection, and seek out relevant clinical, shadowing, and service experiences that give you exposure to the field.
To explore what your career could look like in anesthesia and whether becoming a CAA is the right fit for you, visit the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA)‘s page What is a CAA?. You can also explore the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)‘s Statement on Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants to learn more about the role of CAAs within the Anesthesia Care Team.
Practicing as a CAA in Rhode Island
Currently, Rhode Island does not recognize or license CAAs, which is a key factor if you’re hoping to live or work in the state long-term. If you pursue this path, you would need to be open to relocating to a state where CAAs are recognized and actively employed (e.g., Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Texas).
Finding a Program
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) offers a searchable list of all accredited Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) programs across the country. You can explore these programs by location, review each program’s structure, prerequisites, admissions process and review their accreditation status on the CAAHEP website (use the filter in the profession category to “anesthesiologist assistant”).
The CAA curriculum is based on an advanced graduate degree model and requires at least two full academic years. The current programs are 24 to 28 months. Graduates from all CAA educational programs earn a Master’s Degree.
Required Preparation
To apply to a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) program, students must meet several academic and experiential prerequisites. Since every program varies in their requirements, we strongly encourage applicants to research the programs and their prerequisites separately. We have included a general guide of prerequisite expectations for most CAA programs, listed below.
- Biology: minimum of 2 semesters + with labs
- General Chemistry: minimum of 2 semesters + labs
- Organic Chemistry: 1 or 2 semesters + labs (depending on the program)
- Biochemistry: 1 semester (some programs accept this in place of a second Organic Chem)
- Physics: 2 semesters + labs
- Calculus
- English: 2 semesters (varies by program)
Similarly to medical school, the MCAT standardized test is required by most CAA programs: minimum scores vary; some programs are competitive (505+). Shadowing an Anesthesiologist or CAA is highly encouraged (some programs require documented hours). Applicants should also pursue positions that allow them to gain patient care experience (EMT, CNA, MA, etc.).