Healthcare teams rely on many workers to keep patients safe during surgery and complex medical procedures. One of these critical jobs is the anesthesiologist assistant (AA). Under the supervision of licensed anesthesiologists, AAs deliver anesthesia care, monitor patients, and help procedures run smoothly.
If you’re drawn to a career in the operating room, becoming an anesthesiologist assistant is a great option. Anesthesiologist assistant jobs exist in many healthcare settings. And, while AAs often work with a variety of patients, some find jobs focusing on specific patient populations or surgeries.
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Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Programs, including all Clinical/Medical programs have a required ground clinical, practicum, or externship requirement. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
If you’re drawn to a career in the operating room, becoming an anesthesiologist assistant is a great option. Anesthesiologist assistant jobs exist in many healthcare settings. And, while AAs often work with a variety of patients, some find jobs focusing on specific patient populations or surgeries.
What Does an Anesthesiologist Assistant Do?
Depending on the day, anesthesiologist assistant jobs can include:
- Doing pre-surgery patient assessments
- Helping develop and implement anesthesia plans
- Administering anesthesia under supervision
- Monitoring vital signs during procedures
- Managing airway support and anesthesia equipment
- Assisting with patient recovery
Where Do Anesthesiologist Assistants Work?
Because so many procedures depend on anesthesia, AAs work in a range of environments, including those named below.
Hospitals
Hospitals are one of the most common places to find anesthesiologist assistant jobs. Large hospitals do a high volume of surgeries and procedures with anesthesia. In this setting, AAs may help with:
- General surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Cardiovascular surgery
- Emergency and trauma care
Hospitals may also offer anesthesiologist assistant jobs in specialized departments such as labor and delivery or intensive care.
Outpatient Centers
When a procedure doesn't involve an overnight stay, it often happens at an ambulatory or outpatient surgery center. Patients may come to these centers for:
- Orthopedic procedures
- Gastrointestinal procedures
- Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries
- Plastic and reconstructive surgeries
AAs in outpatient centers help people undergo procedures safely and recover quickly so they can go home the same day.
Specialty Surgical Hospitals
Some hospitals focus on certain types of procedures, such as orthopedic or cardiovascular surgery. These specialty hospitals may hire AAs who have experience with anesthesia approaches and techniques tailored to those procedures. In these facilities, AAs help with the same types of surgeries regularly and can develop strong expertise in those areas.What Specialties Can AAs Work In?
During their careers, AAs can gain experience in all types of procedures. Eventually, they may choose to specialize in one area. Here are a few options you might find in the field.Cardiovascular Surgery
Cardiac and vascular patients often require highly specialized care. AAs help monitor these patients closely during surgeries involving the heart and major blood vessels. Because these procedures can be lengthy and complex, the anesthesia team is essential to patient safety.Pediatrics
Children need specialized attention in the OR because their bodies respond differently to medications and procedures. AAs working in pediatrics help with surgeries for infants, children, and teens. These anesthesiologist assistant jobs may involve:
- Pediatric orthopedic surgeries
- Tonsillectomies and other ENT procedures
- Corrective surgeries for congenital conditions
To excel in pediatric anesthesiologist assistant jobs, you'll need strong communication skills and attention to detail.
Labor and Delivery
In labor and delivery units, AAs assist with epidurals for labor and anesthesia during C-sections. They work closely with obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to keep both the parent and the newborn safe.Pain Management
Some anesthesia care teams specialize in helping people with acute or chronic pain. In these jobs, anesthesiologist assistants may assist with nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and other treatments for pain. They may work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or specialized pain centers.Trauma
When trauma patients arrive, hospitals need professionals who can respond quickly to urgent situations. AAs working in trauma centers may scrub in for emergency surgeries for critical conditions or serious injuries caused by accidents. These jobs can be very fast-paced. To succeed, you'll need strong teamwork and adaptability.Pursue Your Future Healthcare Career
As an AA, you could be part of a healthcare team that helps people get safe and effective surgeries and medical procedures. Because anesthesia care is important in many areas of medicine, anesthesiologist assistant jobs are vital in hospitals, outpatient centers, and specialty facilities. With experience, some AAs can also focus on the surgical specialties they’re most passionate about. If you’re interested in Anesthesia Science, learn about South University’s Anesthesiologist Science program today!--
Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Programs, including all Clinical/Medical programs have a required ground clinical, practicum, or externship requirement. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
