Hey Everyone, I am planning on applying for the early interview periods at Case Emory and South. I will need to make some money in the interim year between applying and starting AA school, and I was wondering if anyone thought becoming an Anesthesia Tech for those 9-10 months was a good idea. I'm from a state that doesnt need any certification to be a technician (Maryland) and I thought if I am working anywhere it might as well be in anesthesia. I know that the experience wont be extremely helpful during AA school, but i'm assuming it will help me at least marginally. If i'm persistent in asking questions to the attendings residents and CRNAs it can't be worse than a full time shadowing gig that i'm getting paid (albeit minimally) for. Is this correct? Also in the unfortunate situation that I don't get accepted anywhere this round, it seems like a good way to begin bolstering my application... Any thoughts? Thanks alot
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by aa-s on February 20, 2012, 2:04 pm, in reply to "Anesthesia Tech"
i did it and it helped for the first few months in the hospital. everyone quickly catches up with you though once your in school. it did help with the interview. i am sure it helped me get into school. i did it the 9-10 months leading up to starting school
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by AA@MD on February 20, 2012, 10:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Hey thanks for the response. I was just granted an interview for a tech job at a medical center in my area. Do you or anyone have any idea what the ballpark salaries look like for an unlicensed starting job. Online salary websites have fulltime techs making 34,000 yearly but I don' know if thats to be trusted. I just want to have a figure to work with when I get in there... Thanks!
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by J on February 16, 2012, 10:22 pm, in reply to "Anesthesia Tech"
I know at least a dozen AA's or AA students that were anesthesia techs.
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by AA@MD on February 16, 2012, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Hey thanks for your response! I'm more specifically interested in opinions on getting the A.T job temporarily (8,9,10) months to concurrently make money and learn the most I can about anesthesia. Is there a better way to prepare for school while still earning some money?
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by _ on February 16, 2012, 10:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Nope. No better way to prepare for AA school than to work with AA's, CRNA's, and Anesthesiologists while making a little bit of money. What kind of question is that anyway? What's your other option? Unless you want to study on your own with anesthesia books or something and get paid doing something else.
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by AA@MD on February 16, 2012, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Valid. Its just that I have never seen or heard of someone taking that particular route (A.T only during application year) so I am curious about other peoples experiences and opinions. Sorry if it was to obvious a question.
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by _ on February 17, 2012, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
I know personally 2 people who were/are techs for less than a year with the intent of going to school. So apparently it is somewhat common. I think it will really help to be engrossed in the field - even if only for a few months.
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by J on February 18, 2012, 7:39 am, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Getting your foot in the door for a job after graduation is never a bad thing.
Re: Anesthesia Tech
Posted by Mary on February 19, 2012, 7:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
I'm actually going to A.T. school right now in the hopes of attending A.A. school when I graduate. I already have a bachelor's degree and finished my prerequisites and decided to go to A.T. school because I couldn't find a job as an A.T. I know that it will definitely make my application stronger.
Re: CER.AT to AA-C (Certified Anesthetist)
Posted by Professional A.T. on February 20, 2012, 11:06 am, in reply to "Re: Anesthesia Tech"
Good morning Mary. In my opinion I think your doing the right thing by going to an Anestheisa Technician Program to gain valuble knowledge in Anesthesia Technology Science as a specialty.
Fact: Anesthesia Techncians and Technologists are National Recogined as an Health Science Decipline as "Allied Health Professional.
Fact: CAAHEP is recognized by the council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Fact: Certified Anesthesia Technicians and Technologists (CER.AT/CER.ATT) is recognize through CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program) in the same manner as Anesthesiologist Assistants Certified - Anesthetist (AA-Cs).
Fact: Several Anesthesia Techncians and Technologists have gone to AA and/or NA program in becoming an AA-C as allied health professional anesthetist or CRNA nursing professional anesthetist.
Fact: Anesthesia Technicians, Certified Anesthesia Technicians, & Certified Anesthesia Technologists attend Regional and National Anesthesia Educational Conference throughout the U.S. to obtain CEs Credit. Guest Speakers at AT Conference: They Consist of: -Anesthesiologists, MD/DO -Anesthesia Residents, MD/DO -Anesthetists, CRNA/AA-C -Associates, CER.AT -RRT/RCP, BS/MS -RN, BSN/MSN -Sales Rep., BA, BS, MA, MS, MBA etc.
Fact: Kaiser Permanente School of Anestheisa - Anesthesia Technician Program, Professional Education and Pasadena City College both have started an Anesthesia Technician Program awarding an Associate of Science degree (AS) in Anesthesia Technology.
2007, Program Director met with Pasadena City Colleges Dean of Health Sciences Division.
Advisory Committee Formed -Consist of: -Dean of Community College -Physician Anesthesia Educator, MD/DO Anesthesiologist -Director of College Health Science Division, RN, MSN -Six Community Certified Anesthesia Technicians, CER.A.T. -Asst. Director of Anesthesia, CRNA, Ed.D -Physician Medical Advisor, MD/DO -Asst. Director of Anesthesia, AA-C, M.Ed. or Ed.D. as part of the ACT Model (In the near future as it should be).
KPSA (Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia) faculty to be KPAT faculty, as well. In the state of California Consist of: CRNA, Ed.D. CRNA, Ed.D. CER.A.T. CRNA, MSN CRNA, MSN CRNA, MSN CRNA, MSN AA-C, MSA, MMSc., MHSc. as part of the ACT Model (In the near future).
In closing, I'm also a Certified Anesthesia Techncian. Being an CER.AT has prepare me in many ways of becoming an anesthetist (AA-C) of the ACT Model in the future.
This is why I would like to see AA-Cs and the AAAA rise to the occasion of support in partner of A.T. education in the same manner as Anesthesiologists, MD/DO and CRNAs in opening several anesthesia techncian programs through a Commuinity College throughout the united states where AA-Cs practice.
Future Community College School of Anesthesia faculty members of Anesthesia Technician Program (Anesthesiologist Assisatnts Certified - Anesthetist playing a major role): Consist of: AA-C, Ed.D. AA-C, M.Ed. CER.A.T. AA-C, MMSc. AA-C, MMSc. AA-C, MHSc. AA-C, MSA CRNA, MSN as part of the ACT Model.
In my opinion, the state of Georiga and Ohio would be a great place to start. Why? both states have the highest numbers of license practicing AA-Cs. It just makes common scence.
Florida and Texas would be another great place to open an anesthesia technican program through a community college also with a high number of practicing AA-Cs.
This is how AA-Cs gain recognition and acceptance as competent anesthetists in all 50 states.