Anesthesiologist assistants work under the
direction of a licensed anesthesiologist to provide patient care,
surgical and emergency procedure assistance. Graduate education is
required for the position, though online options are very rare.
Online Master's Degree in Anesthesia Overview
Education options for aspiring
anesthesiologist assistants,
also known as anesthetists, are available at the master's degree level.
Very few schools provide education for this discipline, and the online
availability of such programs is even less common. The hands-on nature
of the field requires extensive laboratory work and in-person
experience, and those that do offer online studies typically require
some on-campus or on-site attendance.
Though scarce, Master of Science in Anesthesia and Master of Health
Science in Anesthesia degree programs offer a few select courses in an
online format. These degree programs combine didactic classroom learning
in subjects like anatomy, physiology, physics and pharmacology with
intensive clinical work to help students develop essential knowledge and
skills.
An online master's degree in anesthesia consists of lecture, lab work
and clinical rotations that are typically completed in two years. Only a
few courses are offered online, with the remainder of the curricula
completed through lab work at the campus and internship participation at
affiliated hospitals or clinics.
The online portions of the degree program typically provides reading
and simulated instructional materials through a course delivery system.
Interaction between professors and the students is provided through
online forums, instant messaging and e-mail. Students must have access
to a computer with sound and an Internet connection, an email account
and updated word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software, such
as the Microsoft Office Suite.
Common Anesthesia Courses
Curricula of master's degree programs in anesthesia are made up of
core courses involving anesthetic materials and procedures, biological
sciences and health sciences combined with extensive clinical practice.
Students might complete all coursework prior to beginning their
rotations, though some schools integrate the didactic training with the
practical experience throughout the program.
Anesthesia Principles and Practices Course
This course presents the fundamental concepts and skills required in
the field of anesthesia. Students learn how to use information acquired
from a preoperative evaluation to develop an anesthetic plan. Important
medical terms and abbreviations are also studied.
Pharmacology Course
The basic principles of medications and anesthetic drugs are
introduced and examined in depth. Students discuss receptor theory, as
well as the many different types of anesthetic agents encountered in the
anesthetist profession. Specific drugs analyzed include opioids,
benzodiazepines, neuromuscular blockers, antidysrhythmics, diuretics and
antihistamines. Topics and practice cover different methods of
delivery, such as inhalation, intravenous and local application.
Physiology in Anesthesia Practice Course
Students learn about the various human systems with a specific focus
on subjects of special importance to anesthetists. Human systems studied
include the cardiovascular, neurological and endocrine systems, as well
as their relationship to certain anesthetic agents. Topics highlighted
include blood gases and pH levels, hemodynamics and pulmonary responses.
Upon completion of a master's degree in anesthesia, students must
become certified by the National Commission for the Certification of
Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) before becoming professional
anesthetists. The designation of
anesthesiologist assistant
has only existed since the 1960s and currently is only recognized by a
few states. Those that do accept the anesthesiologist assistant
profession regulate workers, and most require a state-mandated license.
In most cases, licensure and certification require continuing education
for renewal.
Continuing Education
The majority of continuing education required to maintain a state
license or NCCAA certification must include anesthesia topics, such as
airway or pain management, critical care, obstetric or pediatric
anesthesia, mild sedation or anesthetic application for trauma patients.
If an assistant or anesthetist has aspirations of becoming a
professional anesthesiologist, they must complete a doctoral program in
anesthesia. These degree programs are also incredibly scarce online due
to the critical importance of hands-on experience and training.
No comments:
Post a Comment