This one-year Ontario Graduate Certificate program equips Respiratory Therapists and BScN Registered Nurses, with the knowledge and clinical skills to work as an anesthesia assistant under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesia assistants are integral members of the anesthesia care team providing a wide range of advanced technical and clinical duties in the provision of effective and safe patient care. Students focus on anesthesia practice by acquiring the knowledge and skills to care for patients across the age spectrum who are undergoing routine and specialized surgery. Through case studies, simulation and laboratory practice, students learn to operate machines and equipment to deliver and monitor anesthesia while developing an in-depth knowledge of anesthetic pharmacology. Students complete their studies during a supervised clinical experience where they apply anesthetic knowledge, skills and critical thinking in a perioperative environment.

Anesthesia assistants work as part of anesthesia care teams in many facilities across Canada. Graduates may find employment as anesthesia assistants in acute care and community hospital operating rooms and in other areas including diagnostic units, post-anesthesia care units, emergency, intensive care and child birth centres.