LPN Anesthesia Assistants

[PACNWNURSING]

Is any one here an LPN Anesthesia Assistant? I am an LPN in the process of working toward obtaining my RN and would like to work in the OR now in order to gain experience. Does the hospital just train you, or is there a special certification you must obtain?

[charebec65]

Can't say I've ever heard of an LPN or anyone else being an anesthesia assistant. There is a nurse anesthetist program which is a master's level program. I would think it would take quite a bit of training to do much with anesthesia.

[MissJoRN, RN]

Not to be nit-picky but you would be an "anesthesia tech"- assist the CRNAs and MDAs by setting up equipement, go-for ing, changing circuits, cleaning equipment, doing accu checks, hemocues, provide extra hands during intubation, sometimes start PIVs, etc. An "Anesthesia Assistant" is an advanced provider- the anesthesia equivalent of an PA. Some hospitals do use anesthesia techs, some don't. You may take a paycut from bedside nursing.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

We have one LPN that is also an anesthesia assistant (she went back to school for that), and two LPN anesthesia techs. One of the LPN anesthesia techs is a certified anesthesia tech.

The LPN AA get an AA's pay (obviously). The LPN anesthesia techs get a higher pay than bedside LPNs (or the other OR LPNs)

[jwk]

We have one LPN that is also an anesthesia assistant (she went back to school for that), and two LPN anesthesia techs. One of the LPN anesthesia techs is a certified anesthesia tech.

The LPN AA get an AA's pay (obviously). The LPN anesthesia techs get a higher pay than bedside LPNs (or the other OR LPNs)

An AA is an anesthesiologist assistant, a masters-degree prepared anesthesia provider. They administer anesthesia under the direction of an anesthesiologist. They are one of three anesthesia providers recognized by the federal government and private insurors, the other two being MD's and CRNA's.

I'm not sure how your hospital differentiates between "anesthesia assistant" and "anesthesia tech", but neither one can do more than provide setup and technical assistance. IV's, accucheck's, and hemocues I guess are possible only if it's within the LPN scope of practice of that particular state.

[MissJoRN, RN]

Ooop, thanks JWK! If I'm going to nit-pick, I need to nit-pick my own post, too! Thanks for pointing that out. One of those things I "know" but wasn't attentive enough. (And you are an AA, correct?)

We use LPN anesthesia techs and OJT techs. None are certified. Both can do accuchecks etc since "point of care testing" is within the scope of a nurse's aide, here. Only LPN techs may start IVs. Since we do use OJT techs, the pay scale is brought down. Likewise our LPNs who scrub don't make much more than CST pay, which is pitiful here.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

An AA is an anesthesiologist assistant, a masters-degree prepared anesthesia provider. They administer anesthesia under the direction of an anesthesiologist. They are one of three anesthesia providers recognized by the federal government and private insurors, the other two being MD's and CRNA's.

I'm not sure how your hospital differentiates between "anesthesia assistant" and "anesthesia tech", but neither one can do more than provide setup and technical assistance. IV's, accucheck's, and hemocues I guess are possible only if it's within the LPN scope of practice of that particular state.

Simple. Where i work the LPN who is also an AA has the master's degree that you describe, the two anesthesia techs do not.

[PACNWNURSING]

Wow, thanks for all the replies... I know about the Master Degree anesthesia assistants, but it appears LPN Anesthia Assistants are also titled, Anethesia support or Anthesia Techs, depending on your particular facility. It just so happens the hospital close to my home titles them LPN Anesthesia Assistants. Thanks Again !!!