Anesthesia Technician - good experience?

[minwoo]

Hello,
I just finished my pre-med courses as a post-bacc and ended up with a 3.40 GPA 🙁. I know I should go ahead and take some more science courses to raise my GPA but at this point I'm totally burned out (orgo I & II just destroyed my summer) and more importantly, dont have the money to pay the tuition for the upcoming semester. Since I only have volunteer work as of now, I'm thinking of just working at a hospital while studying for the MCAT. I found a job listing at a local hospital for an Anesthesia Technician, no license required. Here's the description:

"Contributes to the Anesthesiology department by preparing the Operating Rooms with equipment and supplies to support the daily workload; assists anesthetists and anesthesiologists, patients and co-workers; tracks and maintains equipment, specialty carts, trays and inventory; competently operates equipment and subsequently evaluates and repairs malfunctions; facilitates ongoing education of staff."

Would this be a good way to go about my situation? More specifically, would this position be considered clinical experience? If I can save enough money and can get myself out of this "burned-out phase" I might re-enroll for the Spring 2010 semester and take some more courses (microbio, biochem, genetics, etc). Any input appreciated!

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[ToBeAnMD]

Hello,
I just finished my pre-med courses as a post-bacc and ended up with a 3.40 GPA 🙁. I know I should go ahead and take some more science courses to raise my GPA but at this point I'm totally burned out (orgo I & II just destroyed my summer) and more importantly, dont have the money to pay the tuition for the upcoming semester. Since I only have volunteer work as of now, I'm thinking of just working at a hospital while studying for the MCAT. I found a job listing at a local hospital for an Anesthesia Technician, no license required. Here's the description:

"Contributes to the Anesthesiology department by preparing the Operating Rooms with equipment and supplies to support the daily workload; assists anesthetists and anesthesiologists, patients and co-workers; tracks and maintains equipment, specialty carts, trays and inventory; competently operates equipment and subsequently evaluates and repairs malfunctions; facilitates ongoing education of staff."

Would this be a good way to go about my situation? More specifically, would this position be considered clinical experience? If I can save enough money and can get myself out of this "burned-out phase" I might re-enroll for the Spring 2010 semester and take some more courses (microbio, biochem, genetics, etc). Any input appreciated!

Hey OP this sounds like an excellent opportunity for you! This is definitely clinical experience IMO. My only concern is that it seems like it would require some kind of certification from the given description (see bold sentences in your statement above). But if you're sure it doesn't require any cert. then I say go for it!

PS too bad your last semester didn't go well but hang in there! I have heard of doctors that did not do well in orgo 1 and 2 but still went on to practice. 👍

 

[lord_jeebus]

As an anesthesiology resident and former adcom member I can say that this can be a fun job but is not "clinical experience." You will interact with many anesthesiologists, but not any patients.

 

[Mattabet]

As an anesthesiology resident and former adcom member I can say that this can be a fun job but is not "clinical experience." You will interact with many anesthesiologists, but not any patients.

That's too bad. But, if it pays well enough, I'd still do it. While it may not end up being enough exposure in and of itself, I'll bet it'll open doors with anesthesiologiests and such and give you the opportunity to get some useful experience in.

 

[BBender716]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but according to at least one source, an anesthesia tech requires a Master's in said field... though this might not be the case everywhere (?)

http://education-portal.com/article...eer_Profile_for_an_Anesthesia_Technician.html

 

[lapelirroja]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but according to at least one source, an anesthesia tech requires a Master's in said field... though this might not be the case everywhere (?)

http://education-portal.com/article...eer_Profile_for_an_Anesthesia_Technician.html

Nope. That website (and others like it advertising great jobs and schools) is wrong. An Anesthesiology Assistant is like a PA but just for Anesthesiology. An Anesthesiology Technician is a TECH who works with the instrumentation, etc.

 

[TexasPhysician]

If you have absolutely no other options, then go for it. If medicine is your true goal, this is just something to waste the time. If studying extra would help you do better on the MCAT, I would do nothing but that. Your MCAT score is probably the most important thing on your application.

 

[TheMagicCookie]

I'm currently an Anesthesia tech and I love my job. I work full time from 2-10:30. I am about to start my final year in undergrad and attend classes in the mornings.

I interact with a lot of patients. We do a lot of lines in pre-op and I assist the anesthesiologists with them. I have a lot more to write, but am running out the door right now. I will get back to this thread this afternoon. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[minwoo]

I'm currently an Anesthesia tech and I love my job. I work full time from 2-10:30. I am about to start my final year in undergrad and attend classes in the mornings.

MagicCookie, did you have to get certified while training for the job? Also, do you have time to study for the MCAT while working? I have from now until Jan 2010 to either work fulltime/study for MCAT or do both. By the way, does it look terrible if applicants take 3-4 months to do nothing but study for the MCAT? Any other info about the anes. tech position is appreciated!

 

[TexasPhysician]

I spent an entire summer studying for the MCAT/taking physics. I thought it worked well because I didn't have to review physics at all since it was so fresh. The MCAT is the biggest test of your life. Schools know this, so if you don't do much else.....they won't care.

 

[TheMagicCookie]

MagicCookie, did you have to get certified while training for the job? Also, do you have time to study for the MCAT while working? I have from now until Jan 2010 to either work fulltime/study for MCAT or do both. By the way, does it look terrible if applicants take 3-4 months to do nothing but study for the MCAT? Any other info about the anes. tech position is appreciated!

I think you are going to have a tough time being hired for a position such as this if you can only commit to work 4 or 5 months.

Regarding the position, it was mostly on the job training. Techs can usually qualify to sit for the certification test once they have worked in the job for 2 years. If not, you can take a course and then test, but I don't have much info on that aspect.

I must add that it is very difficult to hold down a full time job, attend class, and prepare for the mcat. It takes a lot of discipline and doesn't leave time for much else. My typical day consists of waking up at 5:15, going to the barn at 5:45 to work my horse, my first class starts at 8 and the last one ends at 12:50, then I head to work from 2-10:30. If it's a slow day in the OR, I can sometimes study or do classwork, but I normally have to put it off until I get home around 11. I usually go to bed at 12:30 or 1:00 am. Makes for a very hectic schedule.

My responsibilities at work include setting up and cleaning the anesthesia equipment (replacing circuit, checking machines, stocking supplies and drugs, etc), assisting with intubations (difficult airways, scopes, etc), setting up and assisting with line placement (A-lines, central, swan, etc), and pretty much helping the anesthesiologists and CRNA's with anything that they need.

It's an awesome job and I love going to work everyday. If you are able to take the job, I would encourage you to do so, but I remind you how much time it takes and the amount of planning ahead that you'll need to have in order to succeed with the mcat and class.

Let me know if you have anymore questions!

 

[searching AT internship]

I think you are going to have a tough time being hired for a position such as this if you can only commit to work 4 or 5 months.

Regarding the position, it was mostly on the job training. Techs can usually qualify to sit for the certification test once they have worked in the job for 2 years. If not, you can take a course and then test, but I don't have much info on that aspect.

I must add that it is very difficult to hold down a full time job, attend class, and prepare for the mcat. It takes a lot of discipline and doesn't leave time for much else. My typical day consists of waking up at 5:15, going to the barn at 5:45 to work my horse, my first class starts at 8 and the last one ends at 12:50, then I head to work from 2-10:30. If it's a slow day in the OR, I can sometimes study or do classwork, but I normally have to put it off until I get home around 11. I usually go to bed at 12:30 or 1:00 am. Makes for a very hectic schedule.

My responsibilities at work include setting up and cleaning the anesthesia equipment (replacing circuit, checking machines, stocking supplies and drugs, etc), assisting with intubations (difficult airways, scopes, etc), setting up and assisting with line placement (A-lines, central, swan, etc), and pretty much helping the anesthesiologists and CRNA's with anything that they need.

It's an awesome job and I love going to work everyday. If you are able to take the job, I would encourage you to do so, but I remind you how much time it takes and the amount of planning ahead that you'll need to have in order to succeed with the mcat and class.

Let me know if you have anymore questions!

Hi TheMagicCookie,

I read your posts and was really excited to learn how much you enjoyed working and getting training on the job as an anaesthesia technician. Im currently looking for internship or training as an AT to kick off career as an anaesthesia technician. Do you know of any people, companies, hospitals, resources which i must refer to continue in this process. How did you land up this wonderful on the job training work opportunity/job?I don't even mind volunteer work or even job shadowing to gain experience in the field so I can apply for more jobs and hopefully certifications later on. As a rookie in the field I could do with some direction. I would appreciate your input. Thanks