anesthesiologist assistant

AA's get a Masters Degree and do basically the same thing that a CRNA with some exceptions. AA's can only work in OHIO, GA and I believe Texas and they must work with an anesthiologist. While they are trained in anesthesia, they for the most part do not have a medical/nursing background like CRNA's. CRNA's can practice in some settings without an anesthiologist. They usually make the same money.

AAs and PAs in Anesthesia are presently the two alternative, non-medical, non-nursing anesthesia specialties. AAs and PAs work in many states (Colorado has some, New Mexico, too).

AAs and PAs *must*, by law, work under the immediate and direct supervision of an anesthesiologist (they may not work independently in any jurisdiction.) CRNAs can work independently providing that hospital bylaws provide for such.

Depending upon locale and custom, AAs, PAs and CRNAs earn comparable incomes, however CRNAs in general have the ability to earn far, far more than AAs and PAs due to the lack of restrictions on their practice models.

In scenarios where AAs and PAs work, they do essentially the same work as a CRNA.

I don't know the job availability stats for AAs and PAs.

I am starting to see more Job offers for AA's mixed in with CRNA's. I also have noticed that there is no real difference in pay. The AA job posting website at http://www.AnesthesiologistAssistant.com has TIVA Healthcare posting needs for AA's and I know Tiva Healthcare is the parent company of Sheridan Health Corporation!! So it seems like this BIG backer of CRNA's is also starting to fund AA's??

You won't see any real difference in pay if you're just looking at large groups and hospitals that have ACT anesthesia providers.

If you look at the independent CRNAs they make quite a bit more than any AA.

Example, in GA a CRNA in an ACT setting may make 150k, while in other parts of ga an independent CRNA may make 15% more.

AA's must work in an Anesthesia Care Team which is becoming obsolete because it is ineffecient. CRNAs may or may not work in an ACT. In an ACT a ratio of MDAs to CRNAs, or in a few states AAs, must always be maintained. As anesthesia services are delivered in multiple physical locations that ratio becomes difficult to staff. It worked mush better when you used to have a large number of ORs in one physical location, but now you have anesthesia given in the MRI, the Radiology suite, the GI lab, a couple of outpatient surgi-centers, plus the main OR. Much easier to staff with everyone, CRNAs and MDAs, independently billing.

Obsolete - right - wishful thinking. 2/3 of the anesthetics in this country are administered in an ACT-type setting of some sort. CRNA's, particularly those practicing "independently", would LOVE to think it's going away. It's not.

Thriving...sure
http://www.anesthesiologynews.com/in...rticle_id=9321

I think all providers are in a wait and see mode. nObama is making life for everyone difficult. (Everyone that works, that is!!!)