ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

Administering anesthesia safely is a supervised science. The Anesthesiologist Assistant works under physician direction to carry out anesthetic care plans across surgical and non-surgical procedures, from pre-induction setup through PACU handoff. CAA certification through the NCCAA, alongside state licensure and biannual CME recertification, defines the credentialing floor for this role. Anesthesia errors have direct patient consequences - this position exists to ensure those consequences are prevented.

Anesthesiologist Assistants in hospital and ambulatory surgical settings are accountable for the technical delivery and perioperative monitoring of anesthesia under attending anesthesiologist supervision, with direct responsibility for patient physiological status throughout each procedure. The role functions within a medically directed team that may include CRNAs, anesthesiology fellows, and surgical staff, operating across OR, PACU, and acute care environments.

Career Impact: Holding CAA board certification and state licensure in a medically directed care model positions this role within a credentialed clinical specialty that carries distinct scope-of-practice protections separate from nursing.

Business Impact: Surgical teams depend on this role for uninterrupted intraoperative monitoring, equipment readiness, and rapid response to hemodynamic changes that determine patient recovery trajectories.

Growth Opportunity: Experience managing cardiac, thoracic, or regional anesthesia cases expands subspecialty marketability, with pathways toward senior CAA, clinical educator, or anesthesiology research contributor roles.

• Administer general, regional, and local anesthesia under attending anesthesiologist direction for surgical and non-surgical procedures.
• Establish multi-parameter perioperative monitoring, including ECG, direct arterial pressure, central venous pressure, arterial blood gas, and pulse oximetry.
• Manage pre- and post-anesthetic patient care, including ventilatory support, PACU handoff, and documentation on the anesthesia record.
• Perform airway management tasks, including endotracheal intubation, arterial line catheterization, and assistance with difficult airways.
• Calibrate, test, and maintain anesthesia delivery systems, ventilators, and cell-saving equipment to ensure safe operation before each case.
• Administer prescribed pharmacological agents and inhaled medications, monitoring patients for adverse responses and treatment efficacy.
• Respond to airway emergencies and cardiac arrests in the OR, PACU, and other acute care areas following established protocols.
• Maintain accurate procedural records and enter data into patient care information systems to support documentation and compliance requirements.

• Master's degree in Anesthesiology or from an accredited Anesthesiology Assistant program, or equivalent post-graduate diploma program.
• 2 or more years of clinical anesthesia experience in a hospital or ambulatory surgical setting, with direct patient care responsibility.
• CAA board certification through the NCCAA and NBME, or current board eligibility with active pursuit of certification.
• Current state licensure as an Anesthesiologist Assistant in the state of practice.
• AHA BLS and ACLS certification required, with NRP certification preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret physiological data and respond to acute hemodynamic changes under physician supervision.
• Proficiency in perioperative documentation and patient care information systems to meet hospital compliance and record-keeping standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate effectively with anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and PACU staff.

• Cardiac or thoracic anesthesia experience in a high-acuity hospital environment.
• Biannual CME recertification completed with no lapsed certification periods.
• Experience supervising or educating anesthetist trainees or allied health students in a clinical setting.
• Membership eligibility or active membership in a recognized anesthesia or respiratory therapy professional society.

• Anesthesia record completeness rate, reflecting accuracy of intraoperative documentation across all cases.
• Time from pre-induction setup to patient-ready status, measuring procedural preparation efficiency.
• Adverse event rate per 100 cases managed, tracking frequency of abnormal patient responses requiring corrective intervention.
• PACU handoff accuracy score, measuring completeness of patient condition reporting to receiving nurses.
• Equipment malfunction reports attributed to preparation failure, reflecting pre-case calibration and testing thoroughness.
• CME credit submission rate, reflecting compliance with biannual NCCAA recertification requirements.

• Base Salary Range: $120,000 to $160,000 per year, depending on experience and state
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 5% to 10% where applicable
• Equity: Not typical for this role in hospital settings
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-sponsored plans standard
• PTO: 15 to 25 days annually, plus paid holidays
• Common Perks: CME reimbursement, licensure and certification fee coverage, retirement plan with employer match

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and, where required by facility policy, drug screening consistent with healthcare regulatory standards. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant delivers pre-operative evaluations and full-cycle anesthesia administration across surgical cases, supporting life functions and maintaining appropriate anesthesia levels under physician supervision. The role shapes patient outcomes by providing pre- and post-anesthesia management, resuscitative care, and accurate anesthesia record documentation while collaborating with attending surgeons and PACU nursing staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Make pre-operative evaluations on all patients assigned to care.
• Study charts for history, physical results, medical consults, and pre-operative tests to determine probable anesthesia effects and correct abnormalities.
• Initiate EKG, blood pressure, and pulse oximeter monitors before induction.
• Assist in positioning patients on the operating table to protect them from injury.
• Induce anesthesia at the direction of the attending surgeon.
• Administer anesthesia under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist in collaboration with the surgeon, supporting life functions and maintaining appropriate levels.
• Provide pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia management, recognizing and taking corrective action for abnormal patient responses.
• Provide resuscitative care until the patient regains control of vital functions, including emergency intubation, inhalation therapy, and CPR.
• Record pertinent data on the anesthesia record, inform the PACU nurse of the patient's condition, and keep the surgeon informed at all times.
• Follow infection control guidelines and report safety hazards for immediate resolution.
• Assemble, test, disassemble, clean, and requisition equipment and supplies as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree with advanced certifications held.
• One year of nursing experience completed.
• Physical demands include constant standing, walking, and the use of speech for oral communication.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of objects up to 25 lbs, with occasional handling of objects up to 50 lbs and lifting or moving of patients.
• Frequent sitting, reaching, keyboard use, and use of vision, depth perception, color identification, smell, and hearing.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping, repetitive limb movements, and driving, with rare crawling and running required.

Embedded within the Adult Anesthesiology Division at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant delivers high-quality anesthesia care to complex patients at Froedtert Ambulatory Surgery Centers under the direct supervision of attending anesthesiologists. Working closely with a team of CAAs, certified nurse anesthetists, fellows, and residents, this role owns continuity of patient care from pre-procedure history and physical exams through post-procedure assessment and recovery.

Core Functions

• Administer general and local anesthesia.
• Maintain, test, and calibrate anesthesia delivery systems and monitors.
• Prepare and monitor patients under anesthesia.
• Make recommendations regarding anesthetic care plans.
• Perform post-procedure assessments to ensure patient recovery.
• Operate anesthesia equipment while delivering direct anesthesia care.
• Provide direct patient care before, during, and after anesthesia to ensure continuity and quality.
• Obtain complete patient medical histories, conduct physical exams, and perform pre-procedure interviews, confirming accuracy with the patient or family.
• Administer and order required diagnostic and laboratory tests.
• Collaborate with anesthesiologists to determine preparation steps and begin prepping patients for procedures.
• Employ CPR or other emergency procedures as indicated.
• Perform administrative duties, including collecting medical records, conducting chart reviews, and following up with patients or families pre- or post-procedure.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree required.
• CAA certification or board eligibility for CAA certification required.
• Wisconsin AA license required, with AHA BCLS and/or ACLS certification required.
• Experience in adult healthcare with previous CAA experience required.
• Able to make appropriate decisions based on education, analysis, experience, and judgment, and effectively solve difficult problems using available resources.
• Able to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate a wide range of activities.
• Able to identify and manage critical needs, postpone or delegate less critical activities, and create focus to address impediments to care goals.
• Able to communicate clearly and succinctly across varied settings, producing accurate and effective documents and messages.
• Able to build rapport through approachability, active listening, sensitivity, patience, and diplomacy, and diffuses high-stress situations while relating effectively to people at all levels.

Reporting to the medical director and anesthesia providers, the Anesthesiologist Assistant supports the anesthesia care environment by assembling and cleaning procedure-specific equipment, restocking supplies, and assisting with delegated anesthesia-related functions to meet productivity expectations. Partnering with anesthesia providers and process improvement teams, this role enables safe, competent patient care and contributes to clinical outcomes, customer satisfaction, and financial stability across the department.

Primary Duties

• Assist in the care of the anesthesia environment and equipment to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Assemble and clean equipment appropriate to the procedure and patient age, and report equipment malfunctions and unusual incidents to the director, medical director, or anesthesia provider.
• Order and restock expended supplies on a STAT and routine basis.
• Perform routine clerical duties, including daily input and verification of patient charges.
• Assist anesthesia providers in the performance of delegated anesthesia-related functions and meet productivity expectations.
• Serve as a steward of hospital resources by anticipating the equipment and materials needs of anesthesia providers.
• Support process improvement teams influencing customer satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and financial stability, adapting positively to healthcare environment changes.
• Maintain required department confidentiality and abide by HIPAA regulations.
• Provide competent patient care by obtaining and interpreting data, making age-appropriate decisions, and adapting procedures and treatments accordingly.
• Take an active role in personal and professional growth and participate in medical center and departmental education programs.
• Communicate and perform duties in alignment with the organization's Mission, Values, and Guiding Behaviors, and proactively identify safety concerns in the work environment.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of a formal Nurse Aide course or training required, verified through transcript or program certificate.
• Currently enrolled in or a graduate of an ADN, BSN, or LPN program, with at least first-semester ADN or first-year BSN coursework completed.
• BLS certification (AHA Healthcare Provider or ARC Professional Rescuer, live class only) required before or within 60 days of hire, with Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training required within 6 months of hire and renewed every 5 years.
• Demonstrated competence in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Can communicate effectively, understand, and follow directions.
• Demonstrate caring, responsive behavior toward patients, peers, and professional staff.
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and adaptive to a highly variable work pace, with reliability, punctuality, and willingness to occasionally work overtime.

Sitting at the intersection of clinical anesthesia practice and medical education, the Anesthesiologist Assistant leads administration of general and regional anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical patients under physician direction at both Emory University Hospital and Emory Midtown Hospital. Operating across pre- and post-anesthetic care, multi-parameter monitoring, and clinical research, this role builds the capabilities of anesthetist trainees while advancing the anesthesiology department's academic and patient care mission.

Duties

• Assist in the administration of general and regional anesthesia to surgical and non-surgical procedure patients under the direction of an anesthesiologist.
• Perform initial acute cardiopulmonary resuscitation in life-threatening situations or as directed by a physician.
• Interpret and record the patient's physiological and pharmacological status.
• Assist the anesthesiologist in gathering routine pre-op data.
• Instruct others in principles and practices of anesthesia, respiratory care, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as directed.
• Assist in research projects as carried out by an anesthesiologist.
• Establish multi-parameter monitoring before, during, and after anesthesia, including ECG, direct arterial pressure, central venous pressure, arterial blood gas determinations, hematocrits, and routine measurement of temperature, respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Manage pre- and post-anesthetic care, including ventilatory support of patients as assigned.
• Manage ventilators and other respiratory care parameters as directed by the physician.
• Supervise and educate anesthetist trainees and participate in clinical research opportunities.
• Manage patients at both Emory University Hospital and Emory Midtown Hospital, with participation in the call schedule, including some night and weekend work.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in Anesthesia, with graduation from an accredited Anesthesiology Assistant program.
• CAA board certification.
• Georgia licensure as an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
• Certification by NCCAA and NBME.
• Biannual recertification through CME submissions.
• AHA BLS certification.
• Cardiac or thoracic anesthesia experience.

A key member of the integrated surgical team, the Anesthesiologist Assistant coordinates pre-induction preparation, anesthesia delivery, and cell-saving functions across operating rooms and specialty imaging areas, including MRI, CT, and Angio under an anesthesiologist's supervision. Collaborating across respiratory therapy, nursing, and allied health disciplines, this role shapes patient safety and departmental performance through equipment calibration, hemodynamic monitoring, airway emergency response, and clinical education for students and paramedics.

Accountabilities

• Perform pre-induction preparation, arterial line catheterization, endotracheal intubation, central line insertion, pulmonary artery catheter insertion, and setup and assistance with epidural insertion and taping.
• Assist with autotransfusion (cell saver) and perform cell saving and blood salvaging functions during surgery by operating cell saver equipment to collect, cleanse, and recycle patient blood.
• Assist in areas such as MRI, CT, and Angio as required, and perform arterial punctures, blood sampling, airway management, and assistance with difficult intubations.
• Administer inhaled medications, monitor patient airways, and adjust ventilation modalities to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation under anaesthesiologist supervision.
• Set up accessory lines, cardiorespiratory monitoring systems, and check and administer blood products using rapid infusion equipment in accordance with established transfusion practices, monitoring for adverse reactions.
• Administer prescribed pharmacological agents under direct anaesthesiologist supervision, observing for side effects and treatment efficacy.
• Assist the anaesthesiologist in anaesthetic block and conscious sedation procedures, monitoring patients for effectiveness and complications.
• Provide diagnostic data, including arterial blood gas sampling, point-of-care analysis, pulmonary function testing, exhaled gas monitoring, vital signs, and pulse oximetry, and maintain hemodynamic measurements and ECG recordings.
• Respond to and assist with airway emergencies, cardiac arrests in the OR, PACU, and other hospital areas, and provide anaesthetic care to stable patients in urgent situations following clear anaesthesiologist guidelines.
• Initiate and provide ventilatory support services in PACU, support pacemaker procedures, and assist clinically and technically with fiber optic bronchoscopy and intubations.
• Maintain, calibrate, and perform scheduled maintenance and minor repairs on anesthesia and cell-saving equipment throughout the hospital, verifying vendor repairs with Biomedical Engineering.
• Maintain documentation, enter data into computerized databases, and participate in professional committees, anaesthesiology research, and special projects as a member of the integrated surgical team.
• Assist with the transfer and transportation of ventilated and monitored patients, and provide clinical education for respiratory therapy students, paramedics, and allied health professionals.

Professional Experience

• Graduation from an accredited post-graduate diploma Anaesthesia Assistant Program required, or graduation from a recognized Respiratory Therapy Diploma Program.
• 3 years of recent related clinical experience, including 1 year as an Anaesthesia Assistant.
• Eligibility for membership with CSRT and BCSRT required.
• Current CPR, ACLS, and NRP certification required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current anesthesia assistant theory, practice, and the Canadian Anaesthesiologists' Society clinical practice guidelines required.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement anesthesia-related care plans, assess and respond to client responses, and adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities, work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, and apply research process knowledge.
• Good computer skills, including effective use of computerized patient care information systems and related medical equipment and supplies.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position required.