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
Salary: $60,000.00 - 70,000.00
Employer: tcase@citycollege.edu
Category: Anesthesia Technologist
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