Online Anesthesia Tech Schools: How to Choose

Comprehensive programs in anesthesia technician education are not normally available online. However, some programs exist for experienced anesthesia techs who are preparing to seek national certification and wish to fill in gaps in their knowledge.

How to Choose an Online Anesthesia Tech School

Program Availability

Comprehensive online anesthesia technician education programs are not normally available. Most employers will not hire anesthesia technicians who did not complete programs recognized by the American Society of Anesthesia Technicians and Technologists (ASATT). Because the ASATT does not normally approve institutions that do not have a significant amount of clinical practice requirements, fully-online anesthesia tech programs are almost nonexistent. Scattered refresher courses are available for those who have opted for practical anesthesia technician training and are preparing to take the ASATT examination for certification.

Certification Requirements

Anesthesia technician certification from ASATT requires that students either attend an approved two-year education program or complete at least two years of work experience as anesthesia techs. Applicants must also have a high school diploma or GED, be proficient in English and have basic computer skills. Students should be sure that whatever school they apply for meets their needs, both educationally and with respect to certification requirements.

Online Program Availability for Anesthesia Technicians

Anesthesia Technical Services Certificate

Very few anesthesia technical services certificates are available online. Those that are available are designed as refresher courses for uncertified anesthesia techs who wish to take the national certification examination but need to fill in knowledge gaps in subjects such as anatomy and physiology for anesthesia, basic anesthesia pharmacology, machinery and equipment for anesthesiology, patient monitoring and critical care for anesthesia patients.Graduates of such programs receive certificates of completion. However, online certificate programs may not be approved by the ASATT, so prospective students should be able to satisfy all ASATT certification criteria without regard to the certificate program.