Anesthesiology Assistant

A letter received by UW Oshkosh from the UW Madison in December 2004 stated: "Anesthesiologists commonly practice in a team model using health care extenders.  Commonly, these are Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) or Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs).  CRNAs enter this job through a nursing pathway.  The AA program is entered through a premedical background.  Both of these groups are superb clinicians and provide excellent patient care.  Anesthesiologist Assistants work within the anesthesia care team under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist to formulate and implement the anesthesia care plan.  Anesthesiology is a challenging and exciting field, which involves the safe delivery of anesthetic agents and the rapid application of medical knowledge.  Being an AA is a well-paying, rewarding and exciting job.  New graduates commonly start at over $80,000 per year, provide excellent clinical care and find the job fulfilling.  It is a pathway that commonly leads to medical school if the AA chooses. Students attracted to science, working with patients, and wanting to attend graduate school should be enlightened about this profession." 

"The graduate program is a Masters of Science degree and is 24-27 months long.  The programs begin each June.  All three programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.  The first three semesters involve clinical instruction combined with basic science and medical coursework.  During the remaining semesters, students complete one-month rotations in all subspecialties of anesthesiology:  ambulatory surgery, burns and trauma, cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, obstetrics and pediatrics.  In order to practice as an AA, students must successfully complete the national board exam at the end of the program, and every six years thereafter."

The letter was signed by faculty of the Department of Anesthesiology at UW Madison's medical school.

For detailed information on the AA health care career, visit http://www.asahq.org/career/aa.htm

Universities that train AAs:

•    Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio http://www.anesthesiaprogram.com/

•     Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia   http://www.emoryaaprogram.org/contentpage.html (called Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology)

• South University in Savannah, Georgia http://www.southuniversity.edu/campus/campus_programs.asp?plid=50&id=4)

            Warning: The AA career sounds like, but is different from, the following two other health careers:

• Physician Assistant with a specialty in Anesthesiology

• Anesthesiologist (a specialty of Medicine).

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Last updated on 01/13/2006.  Contact webmaster.