Additional certifications for anesthesia residents

[TeslaCoil]

---

Members don't see this ad.

In addition to BLS/ACLS/NRP/PALS, are there any other additional certifications that are recommended, or that may come in useful for anesthesiologists? I have heard that ECHO is recommended for cardiac anesthesia, how true is this? Also does anybody know what the process is for getting ECHO certified? Just curious...

 

[BLADEMDA]

In addition to BLS/ACLS/NRP/PALS, are there any other additional certifications that are recommended, or that may come in useful for anesthesiologists? I have heard that ECHO is recommended for cardiac anesthesia, how true is this? Also does anybody know what the process is for getting ECHO certified? Just curious...

http://www.scahq.org/TEE/TrainingInPerioperativeEchocardiography.aspx

You will need a fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesiology to become "certified" in Advanced TEE.

http://www.scahq.org/FellowshipCare...Fellowships/AccreditedFellowshipPrograms.aspx

 

[psychbender]

You can get Basic Echo boarded through NBE after residency (anesthesiology board certification necessary for actual NBE certification, but you can take the test whenever). I took the Basic after residency, and will take the Advanced this July. However, since I have not completed a CT Anesthesiology fellowship, I cannot be Advanced board certified. The value of either certification without fellowship is variable. Without a fellowship, it at least shows that you have some degree of knowledge of, and skill with, echocardiography. This may or may not be enough to allow you to do hearts and read your own echoes after residency.

 

[Shouldawouldacouldas]

In addition to BLS/ACLS/NRP/PALS, are there any other additional certifications that are recommended, or that may come in useful for anesthesiologists? I have heard that ECHO is recommended for cardiac anesthesia, how true is this? Also does anybody know what the process is for getting ECHO certified? Just curious...

Learn how to use the ultrasound for regional blocks, ultrasound for PIV placements/A-lines, and even fluoroscopy for blocks. Go to courses, watch YouTube videos, get a few books. I rarely have to put a CVL for poor PIV access (only put in CVL for CVP needs). Even the most difficult of a-lines become a slight challenge with the US.

Have a morbidly obese patient for a few rib blocks and US images aren't helping? Use fluoroscopy to do rib blocks. Fluoroscopy can be very useful from blocks to airways.

Go to airway courses. Don't let the glidescope decrease your fiberoptic skills because you will be called to the ER one call night to nasally awake intubate a patient with angioedema of the airway from a medication reaction.

You may not get certificates, but you will be a very useful anesthesiologist if you are able to use the ultrasound and fluoroscopy in your practice.