Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs Online

As an anesthesiologist assistant, you can play a key role in preparing patients for medical procedures. Master’s degree programs offer you the training necessary to enter the field and qualify you for state and national certification and licensure. Read on for program details, including prerequisites, coursework and hands-on training.

There are no schools that offer online training programs for aspiring anesthesiologist assistants, but educational opportunities are available through on-campus programs.

What Are the Educational Options for Aspiring Anesthesiology Assistants?

Online programs for aspiring anesthesiologist assistants do not exist due to the amount of hands-on training and experience required. However, you can find several graduate schools offering master’s degree programs in anesthesiology assistance. Most of these programs foster a practical learning environment, providing you with training on sophisticated equipment using simulated and real-life situations. These master’s programs either require you to earn national certification as an anesthesiology assistant or adequately prepare you to take the certification test after graduation.

What Schools Offer Anesthesiologist Assistant Training Programs?

There are both private and public universities around the country where students can get the education they need to become anesthesiologist assistants. Here are some programs that aspiring assistants can consider:

• The University of Colorado offers an anesthesiologist assistant program that results in a Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology degree. The program is based at the school’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.
• The University of Missouri – Kansas City offers a Master of Science in Anesthesia program for aspiring anesthesiologist assistants.
• A Master of Science in Anesthesia degree is also available from Case Western Reserve University; programs are available on the school’s campuses in Cleveland, OH, Houston, TX, and Washington, DC.

How Should I Prepare for the Program?

Program requirements vary by school and typically depend on the current stage of your career. Most schools require that you earn a bachelor’s degree in a medical science or allied health major prior to enrolling. Programs designed to advance a current medical assistant into the field of anesthesiology may require current certification as a physician’s assistant and completion of some basic master’s-level medical courses. Academic or professional recommendations are usually required, as well as passing scores from graduate school entrance exams. Some programs may require or strongly recommend that you obtain some degree of practical or observational experience before applying.

What Courses Will I Take?

Most master’s programs start out reviewing basic medical topics, such as medical terminology, anatomy and pharmacology. You’ll start beginning anesthesia courses in the first semester, learning fundamentals, including airway management and anesthesia delivery options. These courses introduce you to equipment utilized by anesthesiologists, making classroom attendance essential. Some common courses specific to the field of study include:

• Instrument monitoring
• Anesthetic pharmacology
• Anesthesia procedures for specific illnesses
• Safety methods and procedures
• Critical thinking and decision-making
• Legal requirements and patient rights

Will I Gain Actual Experience Through a Master’s Program?

Practical laboratory applications and clinical rotations are common for anesthesiology assistant programs. You’ll regularly be exposed to observational opportunities and supervised practicums throughout a program. Some schools offer hands-on training in multiple settings, and you may be required to travel to affiliated hospitals, schools and clinics. The second half of a master’s program typically consists of several clinical internships. You may be required to participate in background and drug testing, obtain liability insurance or earn specialized certification, such as CPR, before beginning rotations.

Although it is not possible to get the training for a job as an anesthesiologist assistant online, there are several schools that offer master’s degree programs that include the lecture-based and hands-on training necessary for success in this career.

How to Select an Online Anesthesiologist Assistant School

Students considering online anesthesiologist assistant schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Anesthesiologist assistant programs are not offered in a fully online format. Those interested in pursuing a degree in this field can enroll in a nurse anesthetist program, which is offered online or as a hybrid program. While a number of nursing schools offer master’s degree programs for nurse anesthetists, all of them involve some degree of hands-on work. Students must also weigh the certification factors.

Program Availability and Type

Anesthesiologist assistants must complete a master’s degree to be eligible to practice. Education programs for anesthesiologist assistants are not offered in an online or hybrid form, because of accreditation and licensing issues. In order to be accredited, anesthesiologist assistant programs require students to reside at the school for a period of time.

As an alternative option, nurse anesthetist education programs are available in online and hybrid formats. These programs, which are also offered as master’s degrees, are normally intended for currently registered and licensed nurses. Both online and hybrid programs require students to complete clinical requirements.

Certification Requirements

Students who wish to complete a nurse anesthetist degree should consider whether a program provides clinical opportunities and meets certification standards. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs is responsible for approving education programs, and students should ensure that a prospective program has earned the necessary recognition. After graduation, prospective nurse anesthetists must pass a certification examination available through the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA).

Online Degree Options for Anesthesiologist Assistants

Online Master of Science – Nurse Anesthesia

Master’s degree programs for nurse anesthetists are available in a hybrid format rather than completely online. Coursework might be completely online or partially on-campus; either way, clinical requirements will be in-person, but are typically within a reasonable distance from the student’s home. Students learn about anesthesia delivery methods, ethics and human anatomy. Specific course topics include:

• Neurology
• Radiological procedures
• Urology
• Cardiovascular anesthesiology
• Biomedical statistics

anesthesiologist assistant salary

Salary Ranges for Anesthesiologist Assistants

The salaries of Anesthesiologist Assistants in the US range from $38,710 to $792,729 , with a median salary of $282,241 . The middle 57% of Anesthesiologist Assistants makes between $282,259 and $452,278, with the top 86% making $792,729.

how do i become an anesthesiologist assistant

What is an anesthesiologist assistant?

Anesthesiologist assistants, also known as anesthetists, work under the supervision of physician anesthesiologists to develop and implement the anesthesia care plan. They work exclusively within the care team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologist assistants are skilled allied health care professionals possessing a baccalaureate degree with a premedical background. They are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care and advanced patient monitoring techniques. They receive a complete didactic and clinical education culminating in a master’s degree.

What are some of the advances that have been made in training for anesthesiologist assistants?

Emory had one of the first programs training anesthesiologist assistants (AA). I was in the fifth class; there were 10 students in my class and 8 in the class ahead of me. Today at Nova University there are 48 students in each class. Most other programs have classes of comparable size. There have been many changes in anesthesia practice and the standard of care in the past 40 years. When I first started anesthesia pulse oximeters, capnography, laryngeal mask airways, the fiberoptic glide scope, and the light wand were all yet to be developed, not to mention the vast improvement in the anesthesia drugs that are now have available.

What is your favorite aspect of anesthesiology?

My favorite aspect of the profession is my ability to help others, whether they may be students, patients, anesthesiologists, or peers.

What is your least favorite aspect of anesthesiology?

Anesthesia has been called a profession with hours of boredom and moments of terror. During a long surgical case, when all is going well, there may not be much to do but vigilantly monitor the patient. At other times during massive blood loss or other tense situations, there can be chaos and pandemonium with personnel yelling and running everywhere. In these situations, it is especially important to remain calm, prioritize what needs to be done, and do it.

Are there common misconceptions about your profession?

Sometimes Anesthesiologist Assistants are confused with anesthesia technical assistants, who help clean and maintain anesthesia equipment; anesthesiologists; or certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

What is a typical day like for an anesthesiologist assistant?

During a typical day, an AA might change into scrubs, check to see which room or cases he or she will be assigned, check out narcotics for the day from the pharmacy, go to the room to perform a machine and equipment check, set the table and draw up drugs. Then go to see the first patient, introduce himself, review the anesthesia evaluation form, check the laboratory results and consents, interview the patient and answer any questions the patient may have. The AA will then help the circulating nurse transport the patient to the operating room, move the patient to the operating table, apply the monitor to be used during the surgical procedure, and call the anesthesiologist for the induction on anesthesia. The patient is induced, an airway established, and anesthetic agents are turned on and maintained for the duration of the procedure. During emergence from anesthesia, the anesthesiologist is again called, anesthetic agents are turned off, any drugs needed to reverse muscle relaxants, for post-op nausea or pain are given, and any airways are removed. When the patient is stable and breathing, he is transported to the recovery room. There the AA gives a report to the recovering nurse. After the AA returns to the operating room to clean up, recheck the anesthesia machine and set up new drugs and airways, he can go to see the next patient. This continues to the end of the day.

Is a graduate degree preferable to work as an anesthesiologist assistant, or can someone enter the profession with a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree with a premed background is required to apply to AA schools, but a graduate degree or experience such as respiratory therapy is helpful.

What traits would help someone to be successful as an anesthesiologist assistant?

Anesthesiologist assistants should be of good character, have self-confidence, be able to “think on their feet” (multitask), have good or reasonable skill with their hands, and be able to study for and pass standardized tests.

What study tips would you give to a student to help him or her succeed in an anesthesiologist assistant program?

Successful students will have already acquired good study habits before applying to an AA program. In addition, it would be helpful to have studied anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology.

Do you think anesthesiology is a subject that can be studied online, or is a traditional class environment ideal?

Some subjects in anesthesiology can be studied online; however, the laboratories and clinical experience must be obtained in class or at a hospital.

What pieces of advice, or caution, would you offer to a prospective student of an anesthesiologist assistant program?

The AA program is not for everyone. The AA does perform some invasive procedures on patients. If you feel faint at the sight of blood, this career is not for you. The AA career is not without stress. Please consider the position carefully before you apply.

2021 Best Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs

1

Emory University

Franklin Springs, GA

Graduation rate: 90.01 %

Emory University provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to assist them in their growth and development. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia and operated as a private institution. The school’s United Methodist affiliation is one of its defining characteristics and plays an important role within the school’s vision. Emory University has a yearly student enrollment of nearly thirteen thousand.

Students may choose from a few areas of study, including but not limited to:

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Business And Marketing Studies
• Legal Professions And Studies
• Social Sciences

The admissions process will begin with the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and standardized test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions office. Students may take either the ACT or SAT exam scores to be considered for admissions to this school. A score within the range of 1960 to 2250 on the SAT, or 30 to 33 for the ACT is usually submitted among accepted students. Admission to this school is considered highly competitive, with only 30% of students who applied being admitted each year. More information from the admissions office can be found here.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is close to $45,000, but may change yearly. Students are encouraged to use the school’s price of attendance calculator to better estimate their cost of attendance. The price of on-campus housing is approximately $7,700 annually. Students attending Emory University may qualify for aid which is usually scholarships, grants, and loans.

The mascot for Emory University is the “Eagles”, and they participate in intercollegiate athletic programs through oversight by the NCAA. Athletic programs available:

• Baseball (NCAA Division III)
• Basketball (NCAA Division III)
• Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
• Golf (NCAA Division III)

Students who wish to see more about Emory University may check out their website at http://www.emory.edu.

Acceptance Rate

15.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Case Western Reserve University

provides a variety of degree programs for students to guide them in their growth and development. The school is located in Cleveland, Ohio and operated as a private institution. Approximately 9,800 students are enrolled per year at Case.

Here is a list of some of the popular programs Case offers:

• Legal Professions And Studies
• Health And Clinical Professions
• Business And Marketing Studies
• Public Administration And Social Services
• Engineering

Students applying for admission are most often required to submit an application, school records, test scores and any requested personal statements, which will then be reviewed by the admissions staff. Either the ACT or SAT exam must be taken in order to be able to apply to Case Western Reserve University. Scores within the range of 28 – 32 on the ACT or 1830 – 2130 on the SAT are required to greatly increase the chance of admission. Roughly 50 percent of all applicant were admitted at this school, with 13 percent of those admitted choosing to attend. More information regarding admissions can be found here.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is approximately $43,000 per year. Tuition prices may change for a variety of reasons, and therefore students should visit the school’s tuition calculator to get a better idea of their costs. The price of on-campus housing is about $7,600 per year. Financial aid may be offered to students that meet the required requirements.

The mascot for Case is the “Spartans”, and they participate in intercollegiate athletic programs through the oversight and organization of the NCAA. Athletic programs available may include but not limited to:

• Baseball (NCAA Division III)
• Basketball (NCAA Division III)
• Football (NCAA Division III)
• Soccer (NCAA Division III)
• Softball (NCAA Division III)

Contact information, academics information, areas of study, and more can be viewed on school’s website at http://www.case.edu.

Acceptance Rate

27.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of Missouri

Students may pick from a few areas of study, including but not limited to:

– Kansas City, a public institution, offers a variety of educational opportunities, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Kansas City, MO, it offers an urban setting for students to study in. Approximately 15,000 students are enrolled per year at University of Missouri – Kansas City.

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Business And Marketing Studies
• Legal Professions And Studies
• Health And Clinical Professions
• Communications And Journalism