Q about Anesthesiology Assistants

[Willamette]

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Hey Guys,

I was just curious as to how one becomes an AA. I understand (at least I think I do) that there are specific programs for AA's, but is there a route for PA's to enter the field? The reason I ask is that my wife is a PA student, and we were curious about the possibility of working together some day.

Willamette

 

[anesthesiadrew]

Traditional PAs (primary care models) and Anesthesiologist Assistants are two entirely different PA tracts. The focus different from day one and the two share no common classes. A PA cannot transition into an AA role after starting PA school, though in definition both are PAs. If a PA wanted to be an AA, then certainly it would look golden to AA adcoms, but there is no shortcut between the two educational tracts. I'm from Georgia (one of the states that certainly has our fair share of AAs, not to mention two schools) and many of my friends are PAs. This is what I understand to be true about the professions, because perhaps like your wife, many of these PAs are indeed attracted to the AA role. These individuals are not very fond of going back to school just to attain another degree.

Hope this helps.