What do anesthesiologist assistants do?
Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Anesthesia Assistant
- Anesthesia Orderly
- Anesthesia Technician (Anesthesia Tech)
- Anesthesiology Assistant
- Anesthesiology Technician (Anesthesiology Tech)
- CAA (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant)
- CAA (Certified Anesthesiology Assistant)
- Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Technician (Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Tech)
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- 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.
- Verify availability of operating room supplies, medications, and gases.
- Assist anesthesiologists in performing anesthetic procedures, such as epidural or spinal injections.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
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