Anesthesiologist Assistant Message Board!
[ Message Archive | Anesthesiologist Assistant Message Board! ]

    ATTN: To Sean and Ben becoming a Anesthesia.Technician(A.T.) Archived Message

    Posted by DC on April 27, 2008, 1:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Experience as a CNA"

    Hi Sean and Ben I can't tell you what to do but I really would recommend both of you gentlemen to try working as an Anesthesia Technician(A.T.) for a few months to 1 year in an O.R. setting as well as all off site cases such as Angio, Cath Lab, G.I., MRI etc. Why?..you will be surprise how much knowledge you will gain going into AA program as an A.T..

    Example do you know what, why, and how to use as clinical and technical practice?

    *CLINICAL Aspect*

    #1.CRICOTHYROTOMY CATHETER SET.
    #2.Arndt Endobronchial Blocker Set.
    #3.Retrograde Intubation Set.
    #4.Aintree Intubation Catheter with Rapi-Fit Adapt.
    #5.Cook Airway Exchange Catheter.
    #6.AQUA-Knot.
    #7.SomaSensor It's a(Regional Cerebral Oxygen Sensor mostly used on Pedi patients).
    #8.MAC-Two Lumen Central Venous Access/Super Kit(Mostly used in Transplant Livers/Hearts)It's two in one you read your CVP from one port and the other port you float your Swan-Ganz(Catheter) to get you PA reading from the patient on the monitor during the case Systolic, Diastolic, and MAP.
    #9.Burette Set and BIOPATCH.
    #10.F.M.S.(Auto Rapid Transfusion Machine).
    #11.Combitube's.
    #12.Peep Valve

    *TECHNICAL Aspect*

    #1.Olympus Tower.
    #2.STORZ Tower.
    #3.Bronchial Cart.
    #4.Glide Scope.
    #5.Video Mack.
    #6.Biz Monitor.
    #7.TEE Probe.
    #8.AIR PAL.
    #9.NELLCOR
    #10.Datex Monitor.
    #11.T.E.G.(Thrombelastograph).
    #12.Cardiac Output Monitor.

    Everything I just mention above I have to know what it is, the theory of why we use it, and how to use it(Operate or setup)independently with no help from my MDAs.

    Another question to both of you(Sean&Ben)

    Anesthesia Machine & Gas Delivery do you know about Compressed Medical Gas?, Positive End Expiratory Pressure(PEEP)?, The Ohmeda Vaporizer?, DO YOU?. As an A.T.-II It's a must that I know this period.

    As A.T.s/A.T.T.s we have to know our drugs too when working in the ACT model example do you know

    #1.These Medication Are Used As DIURETICS:?
    A.Manitol
    B.Labetalol
    C.Furosemide
    D.A and B
    E.A and C
    I will tell you the answer is E.

    #2.Drug That Is Used To Reverse Narcotic Depression:?
    A.Diprivan
    B.Naloxone
    C.Midazolam
    D.Valium
    The answer is B.

    #3.A Reversal Of Muscle Relaxant:?
    A.Neostigmine
    B.Pyridostigmine
    C.Edrophonium
    D.All The Above
    The answer is D.

    #4.What Gas Anesthetic Has The Lowest Vapor Pressure:?
    A.Sevoflurane
    B.Enflurane
    C.Isoflurane
    D.Nitrous Oxide
    The answer is A.


    This is why I recommend Allied Health Care Proessionals(AHCP) who want to be come an Anesthetist(AA-C)who had no contact with patient care or worried about being rejected from AA program. I feel becoming an A.T./A.T.T is a huge stepping stone in becoming an AA-C as A.H.C.P. who already hold a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Health, Biology, or Chemistry etc. who are not nurses(R.N.) working in ICU.

    You will have hands on skills clinical and technical combine as well as critical thinking skills being BCLS, ACLS, and PALS Certified as an A.T./A.T.T. keep in mind either way your still going to have over 2,000 "clinical hours" in all types of "anesthesia" whether you have patient care experience back ground or not.

    In closing everything I have mention all comes from experience that I have obtain as an Anesthesia Technician-II soon to be Certified(Cer.A.T.). Even a O.R.(cirulator nurse)or ICU nurse don't know or have the knowledge of "clinical" and "technical" aspect of Anesthesia practice within the O.R.. They may know a few things on here but not the vast majority of anesthesia clinical practice with in Anesthesiology Dept. that I can assure.

    Especially Question #4. If you ask the average O.R. or ICU nurse not a CRNA about which gas anesthetic has the lowest vapor pressure trust me they would not know right of the back. I know this as an A.T.-II, SO I ASK YOU? with all the knowledge I have as an A.T. or A.T.T. with a Bachelor's of Science in Health(BSH) I'm BCLS, ACLS, and PALS Certified, I operate the intra-aortic balloon pump machine, operate cell saver machine, draw&push medication in the ACT, check blood products in the ACT, perform ABGs and TEGs, start IV's, start a arterial line(Radial), perform cardiac calculation(CO,CI,SVO2), obtain a wedge from the patient(PA Catheter), assist in floating Swan-Ganz catheter, operate level One auto rapid transfusion machine, operate FMS rapid transfusion machine, operate IRS rapid transfusion machine, operate anesthesia machine as well as trouble shoot, teach, and train other allied health care providers, nurses, and/or residents.

    Why would I want to back track and go to nursing school just to become a CRNA when I'm looking at almost 4-5 years before I actually start working as a Anesthetist(CRNA)If my calculation is right. Example:If I was a RRT with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health(BSH)=4, Pulmonary, or Biology(specializing in Transplant) I decide I want to be a CRNA in order to get to that level I have to do a 1 year program in order to become a BSN, R.N., then I will have to work 1-2 years in ICU before I can apply to CRNA school, once I get accepted to CRNA school that's an additional 2.5 years total years to become a CRNA is right at 5 years.

    My best friend who is a RRT has a Bachelor of Health Science Degree(BHS)=4 years specializing in Trauma ICU for 2 years adult and Pediatric he is ACLS,PALS,and NALS certified, he does ECMO, operate Oscillator, VDR, Ventilators machines, and assist in difficult intubation he wants to become a Anesthetist but he See's a shorter route by becoming an AA-C(Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant/Anesthetist) vs CRNA with to much back tracking and years lost. He will be working as a full time AA-C(Anesthetist) with in 2.5 years making six figures annually vs. 5 years as a CRNA YOU DO THE MATH!.

    While he is already a AA-C NOW! making $150,000 as a new grad I'm still working in ICU going on my second year and haven't even apply to CRNA school yet I will be applying next year to CRNA school. MAKES ME WISH I WOULD HAVE GONE THE AA-C ROUTE instead of the nursing route when I already had a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health(BSH). Oh well you live and learn.

    This is why It's important that the profession of AA-C and AA-S(Student Anesthetist)and the AAAA need to start supporting Anesthesia Technician and Technologist more Cer. or none Cer. with 1 to 2 or more years of experience as A.T./A.T.T.. who holds a B.S. Degree or A.S. Degree we are your "FUTURE" Anesthetist(AA-C).

    Good luck to both of you gentlemen in your AA-C career.

    Future Anesthetist(AA-C) DC.





    Message Thread:


     

Anesthesiologist Assistant Program Links!