How to Become an Anesthesia Technician - TheJobNetwork

How to Become an Anesthesia Technician - TheJobNetworkWhen you think about surgery, you might think of the scene how its often portrayed on TVa surgeon, plus one or two nurses assisting. In reality, surgery requires a team of professionals people to set up the operating room and equipment, someone to prep the patient, at least one surgeon, surgical nurses, surgical assistants, and (last but not least) anesthesiologists and anesthesia technicians who enkoranvers that the patient is out cold and feels none of the pain of whats going on. Every team member is an essential parte of every surgery. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832388529-0) ) All of these surgical team professionals have a major part to play in the healthcare industry, so if youre looking for a solid healthcare career path, its time to think about whether you should become an anesthesia technician.The Role of Anesthesia TechniciansAn anesthesia technician (tech for short) is an allied healt h professional who works with the anesthesiologist and other operating room team members to make sure that patients are sedated and properly anesthetized before surgery. Anesthesia technicians handle many of the practical (technical) details of anesthetizing patients, allowing the anesthesiologist to focus more fully on the patients needs. Anesthesia technicians responsibilities may includePreparing equipment in the operating roomMaintaining equipment and troubleshooting as necessaryTesting and maintaining equipment ahead of surgeryManaging operating room supply inventoryPreparing anesthesia drugs under the direction of the anesthesiologistConnecting and operating equipment that monitors patients vital signs during surgeryAssisting with IVs and airway devicesHelping to transfer patients to post-op care roomsBasically, if it involves patient anesthesia or monitoring patients while theyre under sedation, the anesthesia tech has a hand in it. Anesthesia techs typically work in hospital settings, but they may also be found in private clinics/doctors offices or outpatient care facilities.The BenefitsBecoming an anesthesia technician brings many of the benefits of an allied health career pathA growing industry. The healthcare field is expanding all the time, with greater demand for medical professionals at every level.A varied day-to-day. Patients change, their needs change, and every day has its own set of challenges.A stable work environment. Hospitals will always need to be staffed with qualified professionals, and typically provide a clean, quiet workspace.A path for advancement. Working as an anesthesia tech opens the door to other healthcare/surgical jobs, especially with certification.No four-year degree required. Anesthesia technicians usually have a high school degree plus specialized training and classes.The QualificationsBecause anesthesia technicians are working in a high-stress environment and handling life-or-death details, this is a job that has some very specific requirements. After all, you dont want Joe Schmo off the street holding your vital signs in his hands while youre on the operating table. As an anesthesia tech, you can expect these preliminary requirementsA high school degree (or equivalent), minimumAn associates degree in an accredited Anesthesia Tech program may be preferredCompletion of a training program and at least 1 year of clinical internships and apprenticeshipsFor more on schools and training programs that offer degrees for Anesthesia Technicians, see the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) for the most up-to-date information on available programs.Anesthesia technicians may also choose to get certified by the ASATT. To get this certification, youd need to pass the ASATTs national certification exam, in addition to having a high school diploma, 2+ years of experience, and completion of an anesthesia tech program or degree that includes clinical training. The certification is o ptional, but it could help with career advancement and give anesthesia techs an edge when it comes to seeking more opportunities in the field.This is also a job that requires a rather specific skill set. If youre thinking about becoming an anesthesia technician, you should have these skills (or be willing to build them in the meantime)Verbal and written communication skillsProblem solving skills in high-pressure situationsComputer skillsComfortwith technology and mechanicsBiomedical equipment skillsA hintergrund in math, science, pharmacology, and medical terminologyMaking the DecisionIf youve got the baseline skills and are thinking of committing to this path of becoming an anesthesia technician, its time to think about the whole picture.Are you comfortable in a fast-paced, pressure-filled medical environment with potential crisis situations?Are you extremely detail-oriented?Are you unfazed by blood and bodily fluids in your professional environment?Are you able to keep calm and do what you need to do no matter whats going on around you?Can you commit to the education and training it takes to become an anesthesia tech?Can you work well as a member of a team and under the direction of doctors and surgeons?Do you have good mechanical skills and a knack for troubleshooting tricky equipment?Are you willing and able to keep on top of medical equipment and technology trends?If the answer to all of these is yes, then you should seriously consider pursuing a career in anesthesia technician. If youre seeing a lot of maybes, probablys, or uhhhhnos, then the good nachrichtensendung is that there are tons of other healthcare career opportunities that might fit you better.The OutlookOnce youve figured out whether youre personally equipped to make this your career path, you also need to figure out if its worth your future investmentafter all, you dont want to invest your time, energy, and education money in a career thats going to stall out on you down the line. Like most other healthcare fields, the demand for anesthesia techs is growing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in related surgical technology fields will grow by about 15% by 2024. And not only is the field stable, but its also a solid salary choice as well $38,700 is the median salary. Certified anesthesia technicians can make more, as can techs with significant experience, so there are plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement once youre in the door.If you decide that becoming an anesthesia technician is the path for you, great Youre on your way to a demanding-but-fulfilling career. Good luck

15 Secrets Of People Who Cant Work Because Of An Illness

15 Secrets Of People Who Cant Work Because Of An Illness If you have a chronic illness, you mayknow what it feels like to be a full-time patient. Between the physical and emotional symptoms, constant doctor appointments and numerous tests and procedures (not to mention keeping track of it all), being chronically sick can become a full-time job in itself. You may find yurself needing to cut back on hours or stop working altogether due to the demands of your condition.Although this may be a necessity for your health, other people dont always understand why youre not working. They may have misconceptions that youre lazy, on vacation or so lucky but as those of you with chronic illness know, this couldnt be further from the truth. By hearingwhatits really like to be a full-time patient instead of a full-time employee, hopefully others can begin to be more understanding and less judgmental. So Heres what our community told us1. Id much rather be at work. People look surprised when I tell them that, like Im on some luxury vacation and they cant understand why I would choose reality over said vacation. They have no idea that Im home because its physically too much for me to be anywhere else. So yes, Id rather be at work because being at work means Im healthy again.2. Enjoying the good days can make you feel really guilty. As though the energy and rare moment of being functional should be used to do something productive rather than doing something fun. Logically I know that one good day doesnt mean I have to ability to hold a job, but mentally I feel like I havent earned the right to do the fun stuff.3. Its not fun and I dont have a multitude of free time. All my time is spent being sick while trying to perform the fruchtwein basic of daily activities. I wish I had the luxury of being lazy.4. Work is a loaded term. The bigger picture Working outside or inside the home for yourself or someone else, including housework/yardwork, etc In my case, my full-time job is taking care of myself and medical needs, aside from low-key housework and the occasional low-key yardwork. Also, we dont get time off, a break, or vacation from our illnesses, and subsequent appointments.5. I wish people knew how much I miss my job. I stayed far longer than I should have and probably did more damage to my body than I needed to, because it welches such an important part of my life. I lost 95 percent of my social life when I left being single and at home all day every day is incredibly isolating, not to mention how guilty you feel not doing your part. Every day I hope that Ill be able to work again someday soon there are only so many episodes of Law and bestellung SVU a person can watch.6. It wasnt a party. Contrary to what some may think, surviving being in that much pain was indeed a whole lot of work even if the reward was not monetary. Someone made the mistake of using the word lazy to me and my husband made damn well sure to explain exactly how wrong that was.7. Dis ability is a full-time job. Im a professional patient. I fill out paperwork constantly. I have to prove that my chronic degenerative disease hasnt suddenly gotten better. And my income is less than half what I was making but my expenses are the same, higher if you figure in all the healthcare copays and expenses. And no, I cant walk your dog, watch your kid, go out shopping. Some days Im barely managing to shower and if by weg Im having a good day I have my own dog, a backload of housework and grocery shopping as priorities.8. I think many people see me and because I wear makeup and fix my hair, I dont look disabled or ill. They dont see me on the days I cant get out of bed. The days I need help to take a shower or dress myself. I try to be positive even when Im in pain. I have a disease that gives me vertigo and left me deaf in one ear, partially deaf in the other. I have had spine issues. People dont see me vomiting into a waste basket while sitting on the toilet I suppose Id tell others that many disabilities are hidden.9. Trust me, I would love to hold down a regular job. I would love to be able to use the degree I will be in debt for the rest of my life for. I would like to get to the end and feel like I accomplished something rather than live day to day.10. You can have a debilitating illness and be legitimately medically disabled and still denied disability benefits by the government. You can be homeless due to your disability preventing you from working and they often still deny you (thankfully I am not homeless due to supportive family, but my lawyers office works on cases like this).11. No one realizes that a job does more for you than just pay your bills. It is part of what gives you self-esteem. When you cant work anymore, it is very hard to see yourself as worth something to people. You feel isolated because everyone is so busy with their lives they dont have time to come and see you. They can meet other friends out, but you cant do that. If you d o go out, you pay for it later. Its as hard mentally as it is physically.12. Im bored out of my absolute mind. I lovedworking and until my health got really bad, my job actually took my mind off it for the most part. Having nothing to do all day now drives me absolutely crazy. I hate doing nothing but my body is rarely up for much else.13. The guilt I feel all the time. I feel like Im not contributing financially to my marriage and our family. My husband reminds me that he would rather have me around than have me try to work a lot and wind up in the hospital. Its not even like I end up doing all the housework when Im home all day. Sometimes getting one thing done is a monumental achievement. And being home all the time can be really lonely. If I had the energy and the physical stamina to be out and work, everyday life would be more fun.14. The isolation from limited human interaction is heartbreaking. I feel like an expert level clinger when my husband comes home from work or I fina lly see a friend. The desperation is soul crushing. I honestly would work telemarketing just to be able to talk to people if I could consistently work up the energy. To be a people pleaser devoid of peers? It strips you of your personal identity.15. When I cannot work I cannot just decide that I can return. I have to wait until the symptoms subside enough to allow me to perform basic work functions. No amount of positive thinking or appearing to do better will make me functional in a way that it is beneficial to those paying me. Im doing better now and still cannot work full time or on a regular schedule. It is outside of my control. Its not OKand yet I have to accept it. Im lucky to have a flexible schedule and work from home.--This story was originally published on The Mighty, a platform for people facing disease, disability and mental illness.Related storiesInside the Mind of a Chronically Ill Person Debating If They Should Post on FacebookWhy the Invisible Scars of My Chronic Il lness Battle Matter8 Extraordinary Things You Need to Know About People With Chronic IllnessThe Most Important Thing Doctors Fail to Tell You About Having a Chronic ConditionFairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer