Anesthesiologist assistant help administer anesthesia.
Certification for anesthesiologist assistants comes in the form of the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C), which is offered through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. (NCCPA). To practice, all physician assistants must pass an exam. Training for those interested in specifically working with anesthesiologists is on the job.
Eligibility
Before you can take the qualifying test to receive the PA-C credential, you must meet one main eligibility requirement. You must complete a Physician Assistant Program or a Surgeon Assistant Program that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education (ARC). After satisfying this requirement, you may apply to take the qualifying exam. According to the NCCPA, you're eligible for the PA-C credential up to six years after graduating from your program.
Accredited Programs
As of May 2010, the ARC has accredited 149 physician assistant programs across the United States. Of the 149 programs, 122 of are masters programs, 19 are baccalaureate, 4 are associate programs and four offer a certificate for completion. Schools with accredited programs include the University Of New Mexico, Albany Medical College of New York, Drexel University of Pennsylvania, Texas Tech University and Marquette University of Wisconsin.
Program Requirements
Most of the programs for physician assistant or anesthesiologist physician assistant, or both, require that you already have a bachelor's degree. This degree must have come from an accredited program. It does not matter what your degree is in, but, according to the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, you must have taken several courses that include one year of biology and one year of vertebrate anatomy and physiology. You also must have taken general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and calculus.
Examination
Once you've passed an accredited program, to become certified by the NCCPA, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). As of May 2010, the PANCE contains 360 multiple-choice questions that cover two main domains of knowledge. According to the NCCPA, the first types of questions cover "Organ systems and the diseases, disorders and medical assessments physician assistants encounter within those systems." The other part of the test deals with the physician assistant's ability to assess patients' situations.
Maintenance and Recertification
According to the NCCPA, your PA-C credential is has a six-year cycle that consists of three checkpoints. Each checkpoint occurs after two years. At each checkpoint, you must complete and submit documentation of 100 continuing education credits and pay a credential maintenance fee. At some point during the six-year cycle, you must retake the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) to begin a new six-year cycle.
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