What Are the Different Types of Anesthesiologist Assistant Jobs?

There are a number of anesthesiologist assistant jobs geared toward employing these health care professionals in settings that utilize their personal skill sets. Anesthesiology assistants, or AAs, are people who have acquired master's degrees in this field and are licensed in the U.S. by their states to perform a number of functions and duties related to anesthesiology. The responsibilities of this profession align with those of a nurse anesthetist, including administration and regulation of anesthesiology products under direct supervision of an anesthesiologist.

The duties of an anesthesiologist assistant are varied, although they usually include patient interviewing, biological screening such as blood tests, and other tasks involved in preparing a patient to undergo anesthesia. After this takes place, AAs monitor the patient to ensure he or she remains safe during the procedure. They do so by utilizing technology that they have been trained to use, interpret, and adapt in a necessary fashion. AAs are also trained in advanced life support measures, allowing them to act effectively if a person's life is threatened during the procedure. After the patient returns to consciousness, it is common practice that the AA be involved in the postprocedural briefing.

Anesthesiology may be defined as having pain or sensation temporarily blocked, generally acquired through pharmaceutical intervention. Anesthesia is generally accompanied by an ephemeral loss of consciousness, as opposed to a similar term, analgesia, which is usually pain relief during consciousness. This is useful during medical procedures that may be extremely painful or that require the patient to remain still for an extended amount of time. Due to the dangers of "putting someone under," these procedures are best performed only by medical professionals who have been educated and specially trained in the field of anesthesiology.

Anywhere there is anesthesiology, there may be anesthesiologist assistant jobs. A growing number of regions are passing legislation to allow AAs to practice; however, not everyone is in agreement on this matter. There are a number of online resources available for current information about whether or not AAs can practice in a particular place. The settings for anesthesiologist assistant jobs may be in small or private clinics, surgery centers, or public hospitals. They may exist in outpatient settings; however, most anesthesiologist assistant jobs involve working with patients who need care over a number of days.

Those interested in the medical field or medical professionals looking to continue their educations can take advantage of numerous established programs to obtain their master's degrees. A master's degree in anesthesiology assistance is usually about a two-year program. General education on anesthesiology accompanies clinical experience to prepare students for all aspects of this demanding and important job.