Overview

Anesthesiologist Assistants are highly skilled professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists (doctors) and exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) to design and implement anesthesia care plans.

Under supervision, they operate anesthesia equipment, monitor patients, and assist in providing quality care. They may accompany the patient before, during and after anesthesia to ensure quality and continuity of care. In an emergency, Anesthesiology Assistants are trained to assist in life saving measures, such as CPR, and life support.

Anesthesiologist Assistants are in high demand, because of rising health care costs and the need for skilled personnel to monitor the patient under anesthesia. Anesthesiology Assistants operate as physician and nurse extenders, performing critical tasks that ensure the safety of the patient and promote optimal health outcomes.

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Anesthesiologist Assistants PDF 02 Sep 2008 [pdf, 149 KB]

Working Conditions

Anesthesiology Assistants usually work in hospitals under the direction of a licensed Anesthesiologist and exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). 

The profession maintains a typical work-week with options for on-call, evening or weekend assignments. The Anesthesiology Assistant’s responsibilities include:

• Taking a complete health history of the patient
• Performing physical exams to identify any issues that may affect the anesthesia care plan
• Administering necessary diagnostic and laboratory tests (such as taking blood).
• Preparing the patient to be monitored, using noninvasive and invasive methods, as determined by the physician.
• Assisting with preparatory procedures, such as pulmonary artery catheterization, electroencephalographic spectral analysis, echocardiography and evoked potentials.
• Pre-testing and calibrating of anesthesia delivery systems and monitors
• Assisting with inducing, sustaining and adjusting anesthesia levels
• Ensuring continuity of care through the postoperative recovery period
• Assisting with life support, where required including airway management
• Accompanying the physician or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) on patient rounds
• Performing functions in the intensive care unit and pain clinic
• Taking progress notes, preparing case summaries and transcribing physician orders.
• Training and supervising health workers in the calibration, maintenance and operation of patient monitors.
• Performing administrative duties, research and clinical instruction