Anesthesiologist Assistants
What is a Anesthesiologist Assistant? According to ExploreHealthCareer.org Anesthesiologist assistants are highly skilled professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists (specialist physicians) and as part of anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care plans.
They accompany the patient before, during and after anesthesia to ensure quality and continuity of care. Anesthesiologist assistants are trained to assist in life-saving measures, such as CPR, and advanced cardiac life support.
Anesthesiologist Assistants resposibilities, click here to learn more
American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants: https://www.anesthetist.org/faqs
12 accredited AA educational programs.
Emory University - Atlanta, Georgia
Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, Ohio
Case Western Reserve University - Houston, Texas
Case Western Reserve University - Washington, D.C.
South University - Savannah, Georgia
Nova Southeastern University - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nova Southeastern University - Tampa, Florida
University of Missouri - Kansas City - Kansas City, Missouri
Quinnipiac University - Hamden, Connecticut
University of Colorado - Aurora, Colorado
Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Indiana University - Indianapolis, Indiana
AA work states: https://www.anesthetist.org/assets/AAAA%20Work%20States%20Map%20June%202019.pdf
Highlight program: Medical College of Wisconsin
MCW AA Admission eligibility:
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree - In order to apply to the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university located in the United States or Canada that is accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
GPA - Applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or meet the requirements of the Recent Academic Achievement Pathway.
(GPAs include all coursework attempted without grade replacement or grade forgiveness for any repeated courses.)
Test Scores - Applicants must have taken the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prior to the application deadline. Exam scores do not expire and there is no requirement on when the exam was taken. When taking your standardized test, indicate our program as a score recipient. Our program’s GRE code is 7150. For the MCAT, select Medical College of Wisconsin (no code needed).
Letters of Recommendation (3) from individuals who are familiar with your suitability for graduate study leading into a career in anesthesia clinical practice.
Clinical Anesthesia Shadowing Experience - At least 8 hours of anesthesia shadowing is required. The activity must demonstrate sufficient anesthesia focus by involving an Anesthesiologist, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, or Nurse Anesthetist. The shadowing experience must be documented on the Verification of Exposure to Anesthesia Practice Form (PDF) or on any similar form that appropriately confirms the shadowing experience.
Physical and Technical Standards - Meet all physical and technical standards as listed in the Physical and Technical Standards for the Anesthesiologist Assistant Student Guide (PDF).
Prerequisites listed below must be completed with a grade of C or better, prior to the program start date. (I do not see anything you would not already have taken) Applications will still be considered with coursework pending. College credit for high school Advanced Placement courses do not satisfy the requirement. Students with AP credit in a prerequisite course may substitute a similar course that is equal to, or higher than, the pre-requisite course. For example, a student with AP credit in Calculus I could substitute Calculus II or Statistics I. For questions regarding appropriate alternative coursework, contact the MSA program (MCWMSA@mcw.edu).
Biochemistry: One semester
Human Anatomy*: One semesterCourses with lab are recommended but not required
Human Physiology*: One semesterCourses with lab are recommended but not required
Advanced Mathematics: One semesterCalculus I or Statistics I (Courses designed for health professions or research applications will be accepted provided significant computation is included. Theoretical or conceptual application only is not sufficient.)
Biology I with Lab: One semester
Biology II with Lab: One semesterThe following courses may be substituted for this requirement: Microbiology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, Genetics
Chemistry I with Lab: One semester
Chemistry II with Lab: One semesterThe following courses may be substituted for this requirement: Biochemistry II, Organic Chemistry II)
Organic Chemistry with Lab: One semester
Physics I with Lab: One semester
Physics II with Lab: One semester
*Combined Anatomy/Physiology courses will be accepted; minimum two semesters required.
2019 Entering Class Statistics
Cumulative GPAAverage: 3.67
Range: 3.41-4.0
Science GPAAverage: 3.66
Range: 3.29-4.0
GRE QuantitativeAverage: 66th Percentile
Range: 50-88
GRE VerbalAverage: 58th Percentile
Range: 47-97
MCAT Score (New)Average: 501
Range: 494-513
Average salary, how do CAA and CRNA compare?
When employed within the same department and when possessing the same job description and experience level within the anesthesia care team, CAAs and CRNAs are compensated with identical salary and benefit packages.
National Average Salary for CRNAs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse anesthetists across the country earn an average annual salary of $174,790.
That said, this figure is greatly affected by a number of factors, including your type of employer, location, and level of education and experience. Those within the top 10% of earners report making more than $200,000 per year.
4 years of medical school and 4 years of residency to become an anesthesiologist: https://www.careersinhealthcare.com/anesthesiologist/
Nurse anesthetist vs. anesthesiologist:
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/nurse-anesthetist-vs-anesthesiologist2003.html
https://work.chron.com/anesthetist-vs-anesthesiologist-6475.html
Updated 4/22/2021 HB