Anesthesia Technician  |  What is an Anesthesia Technician

Anesthesia Technician Program

What is an Anesthesia Technician?

An Anesthesia Technician is:

• A vital member of the anesthesia care team
• A technical expert on the design, function, and trouble-shooting of anesthesia equipment and monitors.
• A second pair of eyes, ears, and hands during emergencies and difficult or technical procedures.

An Anesthesia Technician is not:

• An independent clinician.
• A doctor or nurse.

Key characteristics of an Anesthesia Technician include:

• Ability to function with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to reprioritize duties on a continual basis.
• Attention to detail.

In the United States, anesthesia technicians currently fall into the category of “unlicensed assistive personnel.” As such, the scope of practice and duties assigned to an AT will vary from state to state and from one facility to another.

Most A.T.’s are employed at larger acute care hospitals, particularly at trauma, transplant, and teaching facilities. They are also found in outpatient surgery clinics and in some veterinary centers. A.T.’s can also work as medical sales reps or as independent contractors to plastic surgeons offices.

Facilities in San Diego County that employ anesthesia technicians include Alvarado, Scripps Green, Scripps Memorial, Scripps Mercy, Sharp Grossmont, Sharp Mary Birch, Sharp Memorial, Sharp Outpatient Pavilion, Palomar, Tri-City, UCSD Hillcrest, UCSD Thornton, and VA Medical Center.