Clinical: Anesthesiology - Career Choices

Job Description:

Anesthesia refers to both drug-induced unconciousness during medical and surgical procedures, and blocking pain or sensation to an affected area of the body. Anesthesia may be administered by different levels of practitioners:

Anesthesia Assistant

• Functions as a specialized Physician Assistant under the direction of a licensed Anesthesiologist. They may perform procedures to prepare the patient, induce anesthesia, monitor a patient during surgery, and provide post-operative care.

Anesthesia Technician /Aide

• Prepares, operates, and maintains anesthesia and laboratory equipment such as ventilator, patient monitor, blood gas analyzer, centrifuge. Provides assistance to the Anesthesiologist in the care of the surgical patients.

Anesthesia positions where a Registered Nurse is required:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are licensed nurses (RNs) who have specialty training in anesthesia. They work under the supervision of an Anesthesiologist, and provide the same functions as Anesthesia Assistants.

• See Nurse: Anesthetist (CRNA)

Anesthesiologist

• An Anesthesiologist is a licensed Physician who completes specialized training in anesthesia after medical school.

• See Physician: M.D./D.O./C.A.M.