What are AA’s responsible for in the OR?
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners: Anesthesiologist Assistant Suggested Job Description
This list delineates the basic functions and roles of the Anesthesiologist Assistant within the perioperative and hospital setting. This list includes the functions, tasks and medical procedures which Anesthesiologist Assistants may perform under anesthesiologist supervision, as well as tasks which may be performed under life threatening circumstances.
1. Anesthesiology is the practice of medicine; Anesthesiologist Assistants administer anesthesia under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist.
2. Anesthesiologist Assistants may introduce themselves as “Anesthesiologist Assistant” but may not refer to themselves as a physician or physician assistant.
3. Anesthesiologist Assistants perform initial CPR/ACLS in emergency situations until the supervising anesthesiologist is summoned.
4. Anesthesiologist Assistants establish a comprehensive patient database (by chart/medical record review and patient examination and interview) to assist in anesthetic planning. Anesthesiologist Assistants may order appropriate pre-op evaluations and premedications after consultation with the anesthesiologist, who is then responsible for these orders.
5. Anesthesiologist Assistants initiate multi-parameter monitoring prior to anesthesia or in other acute care settings. Modalities include, but are not limited to, ASA Standard Monitors, arterial and venous catheters. Anesthesiologist Assistants may manipulate and interpret data from central venous, pulmonary artery and intracranial catheters and other monitors or devices that are indicated.
6. Anesthesiologist Assistants administer the prescribed anesthetic with particular care to the cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic health of the patient.
7. Anesthesiologist Assistants utilize advanced treatment modalities to effect Section 6, including but not limited to advanced airway interventions and intubation of the trachea; starting and adjusting doses of vasoactive infusions; administering vasoactive and anesthetic drugs; administering blood; and any other treatment modalities which are prescribed by the supervising anesthesiologist.
8. Anesthesiologist Assistants will summon the supervising anesthesiologist for the induction of anesthesia, for extubation of the trachea, for consultation during unexpected or adverse perioperative events or at any other time when the prescribed anesthetic deviates significantly from its expected course.
9. Anesthesiologist Assistants assist in the post-operative management of patients by managing post-op ventilatory support and acute pain management in conjunction with existing protocols or the attending anesthesiologist.
10. Anesthesiologist Assistants recognize that the choice of anesthetic drugs and techniques are prescribed by the attending anesthesiologist preoperatively. Exceptions exist when standard orders for a given situation exist or when life-threatening situations arise requiring the use of standard therapeutic or resuscitation techniques until the attending anesthesiologist arrives or is consulted by phone.
11. The anesthetic prescription may consist of a verbal discussion between the Anesthesiologist Assistant and the supervising anesthesiologist; in this instance the anesthetic record is considered to reflect the anesthetic prescription in the absence of other notations in the medical record.
12. The supervising anesthesiologist will remain at all times immediately available to the Anesthesiologist Assistant in the operating area and is reachable by beeper or overhead page.
13. The Anesthesiologist Assistant may engage in teaching and research functions as deemed appropriate by the supervising anesthesiologist.
By Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
