The first anesthesiologist assistants were licensed in Florida in 2005 after President George Bush signed Senate Bill 626 in 2004. The bill created the licensing of anesthesiologist assistants in Florida.
Anesthesiologist's assistants must hold the minimum of a Master's Degree, graduating from a program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. They must then pass a certification exam administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants. The anesthesiologist assistant has three chances to pass the certification exam.
Individuals seeking to enter a Master's Degree program for anesthesiologist assistants must hold a bachelor's degree, submit GRE scores, a resume and letters of recommendation. They should show proficiency in mathematics, biology, chemistry and statistics. Ideal candidates have also participated in an anesthesiology shadowing program where they gain knowledge of the field of work.
Coursework in the Master's Degree program includes Anatomy for Anesthesiology, Physiology, Patient Monitoring and Instrumentation. The program generally takes two years to complete.
Online graduate programs for an anesthesiologist assistant are very rare, as the educational program consists of extensive laboratory and hands-on experience. The institutions of higher learning that do offer some of the courses online still require students to attend the bricks-and-mortar school in order to complete their laboratory and hands-on courses, or complete the coursework at affiliated hospitals or clinics through an internship program.
The online work for the degree includes simulated instructional materials through a course delivery system. There are online forums and access to instructors and peers. An updated computer system is a requirement.
Anesthesiologist assistants new to the workplace can expect to earn between $95,000 and $120,000. Experienced anesthesiologist assistants can earn upwards of $160,000 annually. As more states recognize the need for, and credentialing of, the anesthesiologist assistant, the job market begins to grow rapidly. The field does require continuing education classes in order to keep certifications up to date. To become an anesthesiologist, a person must attend medical school.