What Do Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians Do?
Anesthesia technologists and technicians are trained members of the anesthesia patient care team, with extensive knowledge of all anesthesia equipment and supplies. Under direct supervision, they assist anesthesiologists and certified nurse anesthetists in anesthetizing patients during routine and complex surgical cases in the operating room and outpatient surgical settings. Anesthesia technologists and technicians provide support by preparing and maintaining equipment and supplies used to deliver anesthesia and by monitoring devices and anesthesia delivery systems before, during, and after procedures.
Depending on individual expertise and training, the tasks of anesthesia technologists and technicians may include equipment maintenance and services such as cleaning, sterilizing, assembling, calibrating and testing, troubleshooting, requisitioning, and recording of inspections and maintenance. They may also operate a variety of equipment used to monitor, evaluate, and manage the patient undergoing anesthesia.
The anesthesia technologist may perform inspection, maintenance of inventories, and service records. They may also provide support in areas of pressure monitoring, autotransfusion, and laboratory functions. They maintain and organize the anesthesia environment, equipment, supplies, and personnel to facilitate department functions. The anesthesia technologist also provides peri-operative technical support to the anesthesia professional medical staff for delivery of patient care.
The anesthesia technician may perform first level maintenance on anesthesia equipment and clean, sterilize, disinfect, and stock orders, and maintain the routine anesthesia equipment and supplies.
For further information about the roles and duties of anesthesia technologists and technicians, please visit the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) website.
Where Do Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians Work?
Anesthesia technologists and technicians work mostly in hospitals and outpatient surgical settings. They may work in the operating room, anesthesia work room, post anesthesia recovery room, intensive care units, and in outpatient surgery rooms.
What Do Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians Earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment and earnings data for anesthesia technologists and technicians. According to salary.com, the median salary for anesthesia technicians in the United States is approximately $45,729, slightly lower than the median salary of $48,798 in New York State. In NYS, anesthesia technologists in the 25th percentile make approximately $43,298 while those in the 75th percentile make approximately $55,901.
New York Educational/Licensure Requirements
A high school diploma is required to train to work as an anesthesia technologist and technician. In some cases, a two-year degree in a health care occupation may be required or an equivalent of two to four years of experience in a health care field. It may also be required to complete an anesthesia technician trainee program to become knowledgeable with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the field.
Although New York does not require anesthesia technologists and technicians to be licensed, it’s recommended that anesthesia technologists and technicians acquire voluntary professional certification. ASATT has the only nationally recognized certification for the anesthesia technicians (Cer AT). In order to maintain certification, technicians must earn 20 continuing education contact hours. Certification is granted for a two-year period. Certification for the technologist level has recently been developed. Technologists must obtain a minimum of 30 continuing education hours to maintain certification. Please visit the ASATT certification website page for more details.
Education Programs in the New York region (subject to change)
| Stony Brook University School of Health Technology and Management 101 Nicolls Road Stony Brook, NY 11794 (631) 444-2252 |
Additional Web Links
For more information, go to American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians: http://www.asatt.org/.
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