Recent graduates have had business, engineering and liberal arts backgrounds as well as more health science-oriented majors, including nursing, respiratory therapy and medical technology. Graduates of AA schools are often hired in practices that have nurse anesthetists. In many cases, their job descriptions are identical. AAs may introduce themselves as Anesthesiologists Assistant but may not refer to themselves as a physician or physician assistant. AAs may order appropriate preoperative evaluations and premedications after consultation with the anesthesiologist, who is then responsible for these orders.
AAs initiate multiparameter monitoring prior to anesthesia or in other acute care settings.
Modalities include but are not limited to ASA Standard Monitors and arterial and venous catheters. AAs may manipulate and interpret data from central venous, pulmonary artery and intracranial catheters and other monitors or devices that are indicated. AAs administer the prescribed anesthetic with particular care to the cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic health of the patient. AAs utilize advanced treatment modalities to effect Section 6, including but not limited to advanced airway interventions and intubation of the trachea, starting and adjusting doses of vasoactive infusions, administering vasoactive and anesthetic drugs, administering blood and any other treatment modalities that are prescribed by the supervising anesthesiologist. AAs will summon the supervising anesthesiologist for the induction of anesthesia, for extubation of the trachea, for consultation during unexpected or adverse perioperative events or at any other time when the prescribed anesthetic deviates significantly from its expected course.