Does anyone know how experience is weighed in the application process? I have worked as an anesthesia tech for 10 years. I have worked in a variety of settings including pediatric heart, neurological, and trauma. I have spent most of my time in adult settings. I have mastered arterial line insertion as well as IV's. I have assisted in literally thousands of inductions. Also have assisted in blocks and everything anesthesia. Does any of this really help, or is the GRE and grades more important?
Re: Anesthesia Techician is an Excellent Stepping Stone in Becoming an AA-C, AT to AA
Hi, in my opinion going from A.T. to A.A.-C is an excellent stepping stone in becoming an anesthetist as allied health profession. Why?
1.AA-Cs are allied health professionals.
2.ATs/Cer.ATs are also allied health professionals.
3.CAAHEP has 62 sponsoring organizations the AAAA and ASATT are one of them.
4.Anesthesia Technology is now a nationally recognized Health Science Discipline!
***Dear President of ASATT, Cer.A.T.: I am delighted to send this official Confirmation that their Annual Business Meeting on April 19, 2010, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) voted unanimously to add Anesthesia Technologists/Technicians to our system. In addition, they voted unanimously to approve the membership of a new Committee on Accreditation for Anesthesia Technologist/Technician Education (CoA-ATTE) and the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians as a sponsor of both CAAHEP and that Committee.
We welcome you to our list of 62 sponsoring organizations and very much appreciate ASATT's willingness to sponsor the CoA. Sometime in the next two weeks we will be sending the invoices for our 2010-2011 dues (our fiscal year is July 1 through June 30).
Again, congratulations and welcome to CAAHEP!
Sincerely,
K. M., JD, CAE Executive Director
As of July 15, 2015 as the official date to phase out the technician exam and OJT (on-the-job training) for the Anesthesia Technology profession.
*Approved programs will be instructing at the Technologist level vs. Technician level and graduates will be eligible to take the Technologist exam.
*AT, AAS (Associate of Applied Science Degree in Anesthesia Technology) or
*AT, AS (Associate of Science Degree in Anesthesia Technology).
* Current Certified Technicians and Technologists will remain as is, as long as they maintain certification.
Here is an example of Anesthesia Technologist Program Cer.A.T.T. and/or Cer.A.T. Program Director Anesthesiology Technologist Program
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida Type: Full Time - Entry Level Preferred Education: 2 Year Degree
Notes US Residents Only
Requirements Certified AT with 2 years experience
The knowledge gained by working as as AT/Cer.AT & Cer.ATT ia an excellent transition in becoming an AA-C (Anesthetist) A.T. to A.A. of the ACT.
It definitely will look great on your admission application when applying to an AA program as allied health professional.
Why is it a great idea to be come an anesthesia technician and/or certified AT/ATT if you want to eventually become an AA certified anesthetist?
Nurses (RN) are required to work 1-2 years in the ICU to gain skills required to become a CRNA.
Working as an Anesthesia Technicians (AT) 1-2 years learning skills in the O.R., ICU, E.R. and Anesthesia Off Site Area settings specialize in Anesthesia Technology prior to having a BS/BSc./BA undergrad degree you will actually be ahead of applicants applying to an AA program.
Fact: Quit a few ATs have gone AA route as anesthetist in the same manner as CRNA route.
It makes since to go AA route as an A.T. if there is an AA program or if AA-Cs practice in their state vs. back tracking going CRNA route to practice as an anesthetist when in reality you will be doing the same job as a CRNA with in the ACT.
In my opinion It's a wast of time and money.
Prime example: All ATs at Stony Brook University in New York have obtain an Bachelor's of Science Degree in Health Science (Specialize in Anesthesia Technology) Program is 4+1 years all are either Cert.A.T., B.S. or Cer.A.T.T., B.S..
It would make since for these individual AT, BS at Stony Brook to go AA route with already having a Bachelor's Degree and practice as an certified anesthesia technician/technologist specialize in anesthesia technology science vs. going CRNA route.
Unfortunately for ATs who live or work in states were AA-Cs do not practice or where there is no AA program available and they want to become an anesthetist then yes, they would have to go to CRNA route.
I have tremendous respect for both anesthetists AA-Cs/CRNAs
Re: Anesthesia Techician is an Excellent Stepping Stone in Becoming an AA-C, AT to AA
Why would you do 4+1 to be a tech? waste of time and money. I'd go to nursing school or respiratory school first. AT schools just finally got accepted by the CAAHEP. Id go into a profession that is more recognizable.
Best idea: If you want to be an AA get a 3.5 +/- .2 gpa in a biological/ or health sciences degree, and get a 28+ on the MCAT or at least a 1200 on the GRE. If during the summers u have time become a emt, er tech or ekg tech. If u cant then forget about it and focus on your grades. I was an anesthesia tech and though it has been a tremendous aid the only reason it was a good idea was of how my life happened to come together. I would not let the pursui of any other healthcare degree slow me down from going to AA. If I had known about it when I graduated from my undergraduate program I would already be done with AA school. Don't delay getting into grad school so u have a leg up on your class mates for the first two semmesters. If your already an AT or can get a job with no extra schooling and do it in the summer thats great.
If you are a freshman, sophmore or junior in college I would transfer to perfusion school to become a perfusionist its a bs degree you make 60-80k out of school and would easily get into AA school with that kind of healthcare experience. Also if u dont get into school or change your mind about grad school you still have a good job (rather than having a worthless BS in biology). I know perfusionists making 120k. This is a much better idea than making tops low 20's an hour as a AT
I would go to MUSC if I had to pick. All other perfusion programs are now masters degrees. Rush and Barry are in expensive areas and are expensive schools. Idk about sunny. I know MUSC has a good reputation.
Sorry AA-s, but I totally disagree with your statement regarding ATs is a waste of time and money vs. going to nursing and/or respiratory school when applying to AA program.
I totally agree with J and CJ 100% pertain to having excellent skills an an A.T. and/or CCP when applying to AA program.
Here are a few reason why being an AT is an excellent stepping stone in becoming an AA.
ANESTHESIA TECH/HealthcareSource.com 05/18/2011 Seattle Washington Department: Surgery Schedule: Per Diem
Job Details: -Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Required -Basic Life Support (BLS) Required -Pervious experience preferred. POSITION SUMMARY: Prepare operating rooms and equipment for surgery, using appropriate techniques and following anesthesia guidelines. Provides technical services and assist in operating room when requested by provider. Monitors and maintains equipment repair records and coordinates the timely repair and maintenance of anesthesia equipment.
*Full Time *40 hrs/wk; 7:00 am-3:30 pm *Computer Skills required *Customer service skills required *Experience is required *Good communication skills required
General Summary: Coordinate and perform a variety of technical and supportive patient care task to assist attending anesthesiologist in performing anesthetic procedures for patients ranging from infancy to geriatrics. Perform routine and delegated duties according to hospital and departmental policies. Support the Mission of Trinity Health and Holy Cross Hospital.
Minimum Requirements: Basic Life Support Provider Certification, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS), Certified Anesthesia Technician (Cer.A.T.) Associate degree in allied health or related field or a graduate of an ASATT two-year approved program. A minimum of two (2) years experience an an anesthesia technician. Successful completion of adult basic education evaluations for math and reading. Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.
07/08/2011 ASATT Career Center Anesthesia Technician Salary: Open Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Employer: SpecialtyCare Type: Full Time Exp. Category Anesthesia Technician Preferred Education: Some College
Job Summary-As an Anesthesia Technician at SpecialtyCare, you will be functioning under the supervision of an Anesthesiologist, CRNA or Registered Nurse and performing delegated functions in and around the operating room environment. This position serves hospitals in the Las Vegas, NV and surrounding area.
As an Anesthesia Technician at SpecialtyCare, you may perform the following duties:
*Assist Anesthesiologist, CRNA or Registered Nurse in preparing the environment and the patient for each assigned case as it relates to anesthesia
*Assists the anesthesiologist during each case by providing requested/required equipment, instruments supplies, etc. during and after the procedure
*Organizes in preparation of end case clean up and assist in clean up
*Operates the Autologous Blood Salvage machine during perioperative period
*Monitors and assists with Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation
*May assit perfusionist during open heart procedures
*Operats Point of Care Testing laboratory equipment and report results to appropriate primary care provider as allowed by scope of practice
*Assists with set-up and monitoring of invasive and non-invasive physiological monitoring devices
*Assists the movement/relocation of patients with invasive and non-invasive physiological monitoring devices
*Works with medical staff to maintain and environment that is clean, safe, and adequately stocked with sterile and non-sterile supplies
*Other clinical services as assigned
*Our Anesthesia Technicians receive orientation and training through our in house program and ongoing training opportunities will also be provided.
General:
As an Anesthesia Technician, your job responsibilities may also include:
*Read, understand and apply job related policies and procedure guidelines.
*Demonstrate working knowledge of anesthesia machines, equipment and invasive lines.
*Demonstrates competence in clinical knowledge, skill required and technology of the department employed in the care of the patients
*Collect and report quality improvement data as requested.
*Work through emergent types of situations.
*Complete required documentation, reports, charting, and monitoring according to established protocol.
*Clean (and sterilize as needed) and prepare equipment.
*Assist physician, perfusionist and other clinical staff as requested.
Any questions?..why would I need to go to perfusion school vs. practicing as an A.T. prior to applying to an AA program.
In closing, I am aware of the profession of perfusionists and salary, Though, I have tremendous respect for perfusionists whom I work very closely with, I don't see your logic of advising me to go to perfusion school vs. already having years of experience as an anesthesia technician as well as member of the Anesthesia Liver Transplant Team!
I'm referring to experience vs. salary, If I wanted to become an perfusionist I would have done perfusion school years ago. In my opinion, whether your an AT/Cer.AT, CCP, RRT/RCP, EMT/Para Medic etc. all are excellent transition into becoming an AA-C.
May I ask why aren't you an CCP (Certified Clinical Perfusionist) earning $60,000.00-80,000.00 to upper $120,000.00 ?..just curious.
The profession of anesthesia techicians/technologists is moving forward thanks to the support of ASA/CAAHEP especially, every state and institution is different on what ATs are allowed to do with in their scope of practice although things are now changing for the better of ASATT.
ASATT is becoming recognizable as a true profession just as all other allied health profession and nursing profession, we all have to start somewhere. That's why It's called ADVOCATE! believing in your self and watch your profession grow in the same manner as the AA profession.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors as an AA-C.
the program doesnt even have any clinical roatations and u cant take the certification exam. therefor if u want clinical experiance another degree where u can get the experiance during school and a better paying job (if u dont get into AA school) is a better idea. also AT's dont often make independent descions. RT's RNs and CCP's do.
if ur already a tech then ur in a great position. get a BS thats easy and keep good grades. no one cares what ur major is as long as its in science. only know a few non science degree aa-s's
I attend Sanford Brown Institute in Pittsburgh. We have clinical rotations: 1st one is 160 hrs, 2nd one is cardiac and 160 hrs and the last one is externship 300 hrs. We are able to sit for certification exam.
your program actually has a clinical component. the point was the other program was 4 + 1 to be able to sit for the exam.
if u dont want to just go get a bs degree go to rrt school youll make 20+ k a year more. and if u want to go to aa school it is a better background you will learn more about hemodynamics/cardiopulmonary system
u have to do a post bac work to be able to take the cert exam. not worth the money to get that degree. read it. why would u spend 4-5 years to get a job that at best ull make 30-50k. rrts and rns always have good paying jobs for less schooling. its a bad investment
K. Anesthesia Technology This concentration provides the knowledge and skills required for students to function as integral members of anesthesia teams in surgical settings. After completion of this concentration,
students can work in entry-level non-clinical positions in an anesthesia department or continue to the post-baccalaureate Anesthesiology Technologist Program to be eligible to take the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) certification examinations.
1. HAN 434 Corporate Compliance and Regulation 2. HAN 481 Intro. to Anesthesia 3. HAN 483 Cardiopulmonary Physiology for ASATT 4. HAN 485 Clinical Monitoring 5. HAN 489 Pharmacology for ASATT
Once again, that's a matter of opinion, I do appreciate your input and I'm also aware of Stony Brook University AT Program which in my opinion is awesome (B.S., CertAT).
All AT programs must have clinical rotation and/or some form of clinical rotation that's implemented into the program.
Anesthesia Technicians must have clinical rotation in the same manner as RTs, CCPs and RNs etc. whether It's at other hospitals and/or with in their on institution (hospital) It's standard other wise how would they learn about the operating room environment (O.R.) and off site areas such as;
MRI Angio Radiology Cath Lab Gamma Knife L & D GI E.R. ICU that pertain to anesthesia practice when assisting Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Residents and CRNAs/AA-Cs with in the ACT.
Prime example, Sandford-Brown College Anesthesia Technology Program must have clinical rotation (Associate of Applied Science degree in Anesthesia Technology - AAS, A.T. and/or A.T., AAS).
Fact:There are anesthesia technician students (AT-S) from SBC, AAS, AT who are actually doing clinical roation at my place of institution where I'm employed as well as four other surrounding major hospitals.
stony brook doesnt. if u click the link it says u have to continue after your bs degree in a post bac program to be able to be cert. so its more like a 5 year program. there r 5 year pa programs that combine undergrad and grad part. why not do that. its a waste of money. rrt rn all better deals as far as time and money.
if u click and read the link it says u arent able to cert unless u continue after the bs degree.
i would not waste my money on an AT program unless it was at a CC and ur right out of HS and want to go AA. otherwise get a science degree and apply to aa school. or go to CC rn school get into the icu as soon as u can, get the hospital to pay for ur bsn (a lot fo them will) by the time ur done with the bsn which u can do online while u work ull have ur 1-2 years in and can go to crna school. its the most cost effective, and least time consuming.
Re: Anesthesia Techician is an Excellent Stepping Stone in Becoming an AA-C, AT to AA
Ah, this is why students can be such poor sources of information.
Read my other post - being an anesthesia tech is nothing but a POSITIVE thing to have listed on your application. It doesn't matter if it's a summer job, nor do you need to be certified since it's frequently OJT anyway, so it's not taking time away from whatever undergraduate program you're already working on. The in-OR anesthesia-related experience is invaluable.
EMT/ER tech aren't bad ways to go because you get patient care experience. EKG tech - nah. And your perfusion suggestion is absurd - perfusion is a dying field. There will always be a need for a few perfusionists, but their job outlook goes down every year due to the increasing use of minimally invasive off-pump cardiac procedures. I would never transfer to a specific school just to get a backup career to AA school.
RT school is fine, as is nursing school IF you get the pre-reqs along the way, which most don't. That means at some point going back and getting the physics, chemistry, etc. Most people don't start RT or nursing school with the idea of going to an AA program. And actually, most AA students probably had no clue what an AA was when they started college, unless one of their parents was an AA.
Re: Anesthesia Techician is an Excellent Stepping Stone in Becoming an AA-C, AT to AA
Being an anesthesia tech is GREAT experience. What's not to like? You've been in the OR, are familiar with all the equipment, you know what anesthesiology is all about, and in your case, got some hands-on patient experience to boot. Absolutely no negatives there.