anesthesia technology at durham tech · cc creative commons license. so you think you’d like to...

Anesthesia Technology at Durham Tech

Note: All photos in this document are under a CC Creative Commons License

So you think you’d like to be an Anesthesia Technologist?

Photo of a surgical suite from Flickr.com

What is an Anesthesia Technologist?

It is an allied health profession specifically focused on fundamental and advanced clinical procedures which assist the anesthesia provider in the safe and efficient care of patients.

What Does an Anesthesia Technologist Do?

Photo of confused physician from Wordpress

Some of their responsibilities include…

Basic Airway SetupIntubation photo from Kidocs.org Intubation equipment photo from Wikipedia.org

Intubation photo from emdocs.net

Assists with Rapid Sequence Inductions (patient must have a breathing tube inserted quickly)

Photo of poorly positioned patient from roguemedic.comPhoto of intubated infant from Flickr.com

Selects the Appropriate Airway Supplies and Equipment for Different Patient Populations

Assists with Patient Positioning

Photo of patient in prone position from orthopaedicsone.com

Demonstrates a Complete Understanding of the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm

Difficult Airway Algorithm from litfl.com

Demonstrates the Appropriate Knowledge of and is Able to Assist with Airway Items

(1 of 3 slides)

Combitube

Combitube photo from tamingthesru.com

LMA

Disposable Laryngeal Mask Airway photo from kidocs.org

Demonstrates the Appropriate Knowledge of and is Able to Assist with Airway Items

(2 of 3 slides)

Glidescope

Glidescope from Flickr.com

Bronchoscope

Bronchoscopy photo from Wikimedia.org

Demonstrates the Appropriate Knowledge of and is Able to Assist with Airway Items

(3 of 3 slides)Double lumen tubes

Double lumen tubes photo from litfl.com

Jet ventilator

Jet ventilator photo from emcurious.com

Troubleshoots Problems with Airway Equipment

Glidescope video laryngoscope photo from Wikipedia.org

Has a Thorough Understanding of Anesthesia Machines

Anesthetic machine photo from Wikipedia.org

FDA Approved logo photo from lawyersandsettlements.com

Performs Daily Safety Checks

Point of Care Testing

Blood gas analyzer photo from Wikipedia.org

Understands and Assists with the Administration of Blood and Blood Products

Transfusion photo from courses.lumenlearning.com

Understands the Difference Between…

Colloid

IV bag photo from prehospitalresearch.eu

Crystalloid

IV bag photo from emdocs.net

Assists with Invasive Line Placement

Central line kit photo from wikimedia.org Triple lumen central line in jugular vein photo from wikidoc.org

Identifies and Understands the Usage of Drugs Commonly Used by the Anesthesia Care Team

Propofol bottle photo from roguemedic.com

Demonstrates Knowledge andComprehension of Biotechnology and Monitoring

Albert Einstein quote from Flickr.com

Able to Assist in Critical Events

Trauma

Trauma room photo from emdocs.net

Labor and delivery

Labor room photo from mynextmove.org

What makes a Good Anesthesia Technologist

Technical knowledge and critical thinking skills are essential The ability to assess a situation and make decisions as to what equipment/supplies are necessary for the anesthesia care to safely take care of that particular patient

Just as Important are your Personal Attributes

The successful Anesthesia Technologist is: • People-oriented• Dependable• Flexible• Conscientious• Honest• Compassionate• Caring• Courteous• Self-directed

The Operating Room can be a Very Stressful Place to Work

The successful technologist must be able to handle the physical and emotional rigors of stressful work situations

The successful technologist must always be willing to learn new things and strive to meet the highest standards of the profession of which he or she is a part

What is the work environment like for an Anesthesia Technologist (AT)?

Anesthesia technologists typically work between

32-40 hours a week

Since hospitals operate around the clock,

technologists can work days, evenings, nights,

and weekends & holidays

You could spend long periods standing and walking between your

assigned areas

You may be assigned to the operating room, labor and delivery, MRI or other

areas outside the operating room

Regardless of where you are assigned you will wear scrubs that the

hospital provides for you

Always be prepared for the unexpected! If you are

someone who likes a predictable workday, this

job is NOT for you.

But more importantly, you are part of the anesthesia care team

This sounds great…how do I

become an Anesthesia

Technologist?

Admission Requirements

Complete the CFNC Application for Durham Tech and establish your residency status Complete

Submit sealed, official documents to the Admissions, Registration, and Records or email electronic transcripts through an approved transcript service such as CFNC, Joint Services Transcripts, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, ScribOnline and Script-Safe to transcripts@durhamtech.edu.

Submit

Contact Admissions – Anna-Wade Banks and let her know you are interested in the AT programContact

Complete and submit the signed Clinical Training and English Language Requirement forms to Ms. Banks

Complete and Submit

Attend a ConnectSession (orientation)Attend

Meet course placement requirements outlined on the AT Admissions ChecklistMeet

View Health Technologies enrollment steps

Admissions Office Contact for Anesthesia Technologist Program

Abraham DonesAdmissions, Registration, and Records office

Durham Technical Community College 1637 E. Lawson StreetDurham, NC 27703Email: donesa@durhamtech.edu Phone: 919-536-7200 ext. 1805Fax: 919-536-7262

Key Dates for Fall Semester 2020

July 1st Last day to submit an enrollment application, by 5 p.m.

August 7th Last day to take a placement test, arrive by 10 a.m. and attend a ConnectSession

August 13th Last day for late advising

August 16th Last Day to Register/Pay for Classes

August 17th Fall semester Begins!

Library photo by Wikipedia.org

After you’ve gotten all of that done…

Complete the Application for the Anesthesia Technology Program

While waiting for entrance into the program:Start taking some of the ‘General Education’ courses on the plan of study. That way you will not have to take as many credits after admittance into the program.

Plan of Study

The plan of study must be strictly followed as outlined.

• The General Education courses may becompleted earlier/later or in the designatedsemester as long as the prerequisites are met

• All ATC courses must be completed in theorder they appear on the plan of study

General Program Information

Grading Scale (7 point system)• Must maintain a ‘C’ or better in all courses to continue in the program• First and second semesters consist of an online class, lecture, and lab• Third semester consists of one hybrid class and your clinical rotations start• Fourth semester is entirely clinical time in addition to whatever general

education courses you need to complete• Fifth semester is clinical time and one online class• You will need to get your BLS card before starting clinicals• You will need to get your ACLS card before the end of the program

Clinical Sites

Clinical training takes place at Duke, UNC, and Rex hospitals.Wake Med may be added in early 2021.

Other Requirements

All students in Health and Wellness programs must have a drug screen and criminal background check done. You will be given more information and complete instructions during orientation.

Certification Exam

After completion and graduation from the Anesthesia Technology Program:

• You are eligible to take the entry-level national certification exam

• More information about the national exam can be found at the asatt.org website

Accreditation Status

The Durham Tech Anesthesia Technology program is in the process of seeking accreditation. Below is the letter from CoA-ATE in regard to our status

The Anesthesia Technology program at Durham Tech has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation for Anesthesia Technology Education (CoA-ATE). This status signifies that the program seeking initial accreditation and has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation Standards through Letter of Review application materials and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the American Association of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians (ASATT) for eligibility to take the credentialing exam. However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.

Salaries as of April 6, 2020

Source: ziprecruiter.com

For More Information on the Profession

• Commission on Accreditation for Anesthesia Technologists (CoA-ATE)

• American Society of Anesthesia Technicians and Technologists(ASATT)

Questions?Please contact me if you have questions. We can either set up a time to chat or I can answer your questions via email.

• Gail Walker, MA, Cer.A.T.• Director, Anesthesia Technology• Durham Technical Community College,

Orange County Campus• mail to: walkerg@durhamtech.edu

One Last Thing…

If you are interested in the AT Program, please send an email to Ms. Walker (walkerg@durhamtech.edu) and to Mr. Dones (donesa@durhamtech.edu). In the subject line enter “AT Info Session”. This will let us know you’ve reviewed this information and are considering applying to the program. Please include your name and email address. If you are currently a Durham Tech student, use your ConnectMail address. We look forward to hearing from you.