Program Overview
This accredited program prepares respiratory therapists or registered nurses with critical care experience to become Anesthesia Assistants, meeting the competency framework defined by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society. It consists of support, core theory courses, and a full-time clinical practicum, enabling graduates to fulfill the Anesthesia Assistant role as approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program is designed for respiratory therapists or registered nurses who have critical care experience. It consists of eight core theory courses followed by a clinical practicum. Upon completion, graduates will be able to fulfill the role of anesthesia assistant as defined and approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society. The program was developed to meet the graduate competency requirements identified in the CSRT National Educational Competency Framework for Anesthesia Assistants in accordance with provincial regulations and recommendations from the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. As of August 2022, this program has received Full Accreditation status from the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists Accreditation Services. The next accreditation is scheduled for 2027.
Outline:
The program is structured as follows:
- Placement Exam:
- ANES 0011, Anesthesia Assistant Placement Exam (0 credits)
- This exam is required to determine the student's course of studies.
- Passing all subject areas of the exam allows direct entry into the core courses prior to the clinical practicum placement.
- Failing any subject area requires either taking the corresponding course or taking all four support courses instead of the exam.
- Support Course Requirements (12 credits):
- HLTH 2511, Introduction to Pharmacology (3 credits)
- HLTH 2573, Arterial Blood Gases (3 credits)
- RESP 1781, Principles and Applications of Respiratory Therapy Equipment I & II (3 credits)
- RESP 2161, Mechanical Ventilation (3 credits)
- Core Course Requirements (20 credits):
- ANES 4001, Anesthesia Workstations (3 credits)
- ANES 4003, Airway Management (3 credits)
- ANES 4005, Anesthesia Adjunct Equipment (3 credits)
- ANES 4011, Hemodynamic and Physiological Monitoring (3 credits)
- ANES 4021, Pharmacology and Principles of Clinical Anesthesia (3 credits)
- ANES 4031, Clinical Anesthesia and Special Considerations (3 credits)
- ANES 4061, Anesthesia Assistant Professional Practice (1 credit)
- ANES 4071, Research Skills for Anesthesia Assistants (1 credit)
- Practicum Requirements (9 credits):
- ANES 4101, Clinical Anesthesia (9 credits)
- This full-time clinical practicum course is taken after successful completion of all support and core course requirements.
- Prerequisites for the clinical practicum include:
- Proof of current Emergency Cardiac Care [Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)] certification
- Passing all required support and core courses
Careers:
The program prepares graduates for a career as an Anesthesia Assistant. The text states that the program fulfills the role of anesthesia assistant as defined and approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.
Other:
- Program Completion: The length of the program varies depending on prior experience, with an average completion time of less than two years and a maximum of three years. Students are expected to continue with full- or part-time employment during their studies.
- Clinical Affiliation: The clinical affiliate must meet specific requirements before a student can enter the clinical practicum. These requirements include:
- Sufficient case load for students to experience the majority of clinical objectives
- A committed clinical mentor (ideally an experienced Anesthesia Assistant and Anesthesiologist)
- Ongoing formative feedback culminating in a summative evaluation
- Access to current texts, journals, and reference materials relevant to the rotation
- A 16-week consecutive clinical practicum, with any deviations requiring prior discussion with TRU
- Maintenance of student records by the clinical affiliate for one year following practicum completion
- Liability coverage for registered TRU students under the Universities blanket insurance policy
- Program Advisory Committee: The Anesthesia Assistant Program Advisory Committee advises TRU and TRU-OL on program content revisions, current and projected demand for graduates, employer needs, program promotion, and development of links with business, industry, and other institutions. The committee is composed of professionals from various fields related to anesthesia and healthcare.
