Anesthesiology assistant programs requirements

Proof of enrollment is required once enrolled. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon successful completion of all prerequisite courses and academic programs before matriculation with a letter grade of "C" or better. Re-applicants to the AA Program must complete all newly listed prerequisite requirements.

Take advantage of your member benefits. The CAA profession was established in the late s by physician anesthesiologists. This person would perform the same job as nurse anesthetists but could seek admittance to medical school if appropriate. The founders recognized early the advantage of a strong pre-medical background in comparison to the nursing education background of the nurse anesthetist profession. The federal government, specifically the Medicare Program, and numerous states recognize certified anesthesiologist assistants and nurse anesthetists as being qualified anesthesia providers who have identical clinical capabilities and responsibilities while working in the Anesthesia Care Team model.

For decades, the Anesthesia Care Team has safely and effectively delivered anesthesia care with either a certified anesthesiologist assistant or nurse anesthetist as the non-physician anesthetist member of the team. It is the position of ASA that both certified anesthesiologist assistants and nurse anesthetists have identical patient care responsibilities and technical capabilities — a view in harmony with their equivalent treatment under the Medicare Program.

Certain differences do exist, however, between certified anesthesiologist assistants and nurse anesthetists with regard to educational program prerequisites, instruction, and requirements for supervised clinical practice. For example, nurse anesthetist programs require a nursing degree and one year of critical care experience, while certified anesthesiologist assistant programs require a bachelor's degree emphasizing pre-medical, science-based coursework. Additionally, certified anesthesiologist assistants must practice under the supervision of a physician anesthesiologist.

In no way is this a mark of inferiority but rather a realistic recognition that non-physician anesthetists must work within the relationship of a physician anesthesiologist to best ensure patient safety and optimal delivery of care. The MCAT is a 7. The GRE is a 3 hour and 45 minute, standardized, multiple choice exam that covers analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. If you are unsatisfied with your score on any of the aforementioned exams, you are free to retake them.

Depending on the school, some will average your scores and others will simply take your most recent. If you are unsatisfied with your score on either of the aforementioned exams, you are free to retake them. After finishing an undergraduate pre-med degree and taking the MCAT or GRE, completion of a master's level anesthesiologist assistant program is necessary.

These post-baccalaureate programs generally focus on:. Within those four areas, different systems of the body are emphasized, including cardiovascular, renal, and the nervous systems.

Becoming an AA requires special training in anesthesia as well. However, students who have already chosen anesthesia as their specialty can choose a focused anesthesiology assistant training program to be completed alongside a master's. These students can typically enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.