anesthesia techs

housecat1216 · Mar 21, 2005

hey guys,
I am a junior bsn nursing student and my last summer before graduation is coming up. I was looking at some jobs at local hosiptals that I might be qualified for and that would help me in my pursuit of being a nurse anesthetist. One hospital had an opening for an anesthesia tech.
My question is, what exactly does this type of job entail, would I be qualified for a "tech" position, and is there any certification involved. It says you need 1 year experience, but I was hoping no one would apply and they would be willing to train....
The other thing I would looking at was becoming a certified phlebotomist, because I'll need to become good at "sticking" people and it would pay decently.
Let me know if you guys have any info. Thanks.

I am also a nursing student interested in CRNA, and from what I have heard you need to work in critical care for a year or two. I would think that you definitly need to work under your RN license and not take a tech position.

CRNA programs are pretty competitive.

sarahmarion123 · Mar 21, 2005

I'm talking about working in a tech position until i graduate, before I have a license.

housecat1216 · Mar 21, 2005

I'm talking about working in a tech position until i graduate, before I have a license.

Sorry, I got that when I re-read your post after I had already posted.

jewelcutt · Mar 21, 2005

Sounds like a good idea to work as a tech until you graduate, you'll get to know the equipment, machine, drugs, CRNAs, etc. After graduating you'll want to work in an ICU.

blazeboy97 · Mar 21, 2005

Anesthesia tech (AT) jobs vary according to the facility. The job can range from as little as just changing out machine circuits after each case to almost completely setting up for the next case. Where I currently work, our ATs change out our machine circuits, check for leaks, refill our vaporizers. restock each room cart to keep a good supply of things available, set-up and help MDAs and CRNAs with all regional procedures, central lines, and IVs. Of course there are other things but this is the jest of it and at most facilities that I had clinicals at during school.

My only concern for you is they may not be willing to hire you knowing that you will soon be shipping off to the ICU in the near future to get that experience. A more suitable position would be a nursing tech in an ICU were you would be interested in working. They would more than likely hire you, knowing they will get you after you graduate. It is not glorious work but being a tech in an ICU will get you a head start on learning the equipment, monitors, routines, and paperwork that the ICU has. This is a tremendous help when you are also having to learn organization and assimilation of all data involved with the ICU patient.

As for a phlebotomist, you will get experience with IVs after graduation. Yes, they have many difficult sticks but they are not necessarily sticking for IV access, just to get the blood they need.

zrmorgan · Apr 4, 2005

hey guys,
I am a junior bsn nursing student and my last summer before graduation is coming up. I was looking at some jobs at local hosiptals that I might be qualified for and that would help me in my pursuit of being a nurse anesthetist. One hospital had an opening for an anesthesia tech.
My question is, what exactly does this type of job entail, would I be qualified for a "tech" position, and is there any certification involved. It says you need 1 year experience, but I was hoping no one would apply and they would be willing to train....
The other thing I would looking at was becoming a certified phlebotomist, because I'll need to become good at "sticking" people and it would pay decently.
Let me know if you guys have any info. Thanks.

I used to be an anesthesia tech before and during nursing school. It was a good job. we ran cell savers in the cv or, assisted with peds cases, and assisted with difficult situations (ie high blood loss cases, or difficutl intubations) It was beneficial in that I was familiar with the equipment, and some of the terminology. It also helped me quickly transition into the icu straight out of nursing school...I was not afraid of gadgets. Lastly, the chief anesthesiologist was a valuable recommendation to crna school.

The only down side I must admit was leaving the OR, and having to work the icus as an RN.

It will be amazing to you when you go to anesthesia school and learn so much you did not know about the equipment you handled as a tech, the patients and drugs you handled as a nurse, then tying it all back together.

Go for it.

athomas91 · Apr 4, 2005

i am sure that and anesthesia tech position is good - IF the AT's at the facililty you are looking at do relevant things (other than stocking)

what about a nursing tech - like in an ER or unit...you can learn a ton - most do iv's etc... and you could start becoming comfortable at being a nurse.

smogmatt · Apr 5, 2005

I also worked as a AT as i went to RN school, all the CRNA schools I applied to loved the fact I was a AT, huge bonus for me.

it is a drag to have to leave the OR for the ICU as a RN.

my hospital also payed for my undergrad because I was an employee.

good luck.

Laughing Gas · Apr 5, 2005

IMO that would be a nice plus to have. One of the major hurdles is learning how to work the mysterious anesthesia machine :) If you had some prior hands on knowledge, that may help. Plus you would be in an environment where you could ask questions and observe what the career entails.