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1201.00The Anesthesia Technology program is a sequential curriculum that prepares the student to be an integral member of the anesthesia patient care team. Emphasis is on fundamental and advanced clinical procedures to assist licensed anesthesia providers in the acquisition, preparation, and application of various types of equipment required for the delivery of anesthesia care. This may be performed in various clinical settings such as the operating room, interventional and diagnostic radiology, magnetic resonance imaging suite, post-anesthesia care unit, intensive care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, emergency room, endoscopy suite, dental suites, and ambulatory surgery centers.
Job responsibilities may include equipment maintenance and servicing such as cleaning, sterilizing, assembling, calibrating, testing, troubleshooting, recording inspections, and maintenance of anesthesia equipment. In addition, the anesthesia technologist will assist licensed anesthesia providers with patient assessments, evaluations, transport, positioning, insertion of intravenous and other invasive lines, point-of-care testing, and airway management.
The Anesthesia Technology program curriculum is a 12-month, sequential, cohort program. Courses are scheduled based on the prior completion of the prerequisite requirements, with the summer intercession, the first semester of the program sequence.
For those students who enter with completion of the required general education courses, a Certificate of Achievement and an Associate in Science degree will need to be awarded upon completion of all Anesthesia Technology curriculum requirements with a C or better. For students who have previously earned a minimum of an Associate Degree or greater, a Certificate of Achievement is awarded.
Upon successfully completing the program and having at minimum an associate's degree, the student will be eligible to take the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) National Certification Examination to become a Certified Anesthesia Technologist (Cer. A.T.T.)
Highlights of the Anesthesia Technology program include professional, experienced academic and clinical instructors, and various clinical sites with state-of-the-art technology and hands-on instruction. The Anesthesia Technology program is a partnership program with the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia.
Requirements for Admission:
Completion of the following with a grade of “C” or better:
- General Biology Course – (PCC Biology – BIOL 003, 010A, 011, or higher)
OR
- Chemistry - (PCC CHEM 001A, or CHEM 002A CHEM 022 or higher)
and ANY TWO of the following
- Anatomy - (PCC ANAT 025)
- Physiology – (PCC PYSO 001, or PYSO 100)
- Medical Terminology (PCC HLSC115)
AP scores in lieu of prerequisite courses are acceptable ONLY IF AP scores are greater than 3, you must consult your counselor to verify eligibility.
Recency is not a requirement, albeit we strongly recommend prerequisite courses be completed within seven (7) years of application to the program. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that students review the Technical Standards before application to the program to ensure they meet the criterion. For the Technical Standards of the Anesthesia Technology Program, please see the anesthesia technology program portal on the Pasadena.edu website
Fees:
The Anesthesia Technology program tuition fee structure is subject to change each semester.
In-State Tuition:
Summer: $276.00 (6 units)
Fall: $667.00 (14.5 units)
Winter: $92.00 (2 units)
Spring: $437.00 (9.5 units)
All tuition is paid through Pasadena City College.
Certification Examination Fee: $325.00
Each student is responsible for payment of the fee which must accompany the application to take the National Certification Examination upon graduation.
Textbooks: $200.00-$300.00 for all anesthesia technology course
Program Application
ALL applicants are required to have the following:
1. Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
2. Complete the required general education track as outlined below
3. Completion of the program prerequisites to be eligible to obtain an associate degree in anesthesia technology upon program completion, if no previous degree has been awarded.
4. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification (American Heart Association).
5. Completion of application for admission at Pasadena City College.
6. Statement of purpose (see program website for topic).
Program Acceptance
Enrollment is determined by:
1) Meeting all the eligibility requirements and coursework required for admission. 2.) The applicant pool and the selection process which is by random lottery while adhering to all Federal and State Laws.
2) The applicant pool and the selection process which is by random lottery while adhering to all Federal and State Laws.
Upon acceptance to the program, applicants will be required to:
1. Complete a Health Clearance and all required immunizations and titers. It is strongly suggested that the PCC Student Health Center be utilized for this as they are familiar with all health requirements.
2. A clear drug screen. Forms will be provided.
3. Complete a criminal background check to attend all clinical coursework.
It is strongly recommended that students have health insurance coverage during their studies in the Anesthesia Technology program.
Computer Requirements
Each student must possess a laptop with certain specifications for online lectures and computer-based examinations. Please see the computer specifications online.
GE Coursework:
We strongly advise the applicant/student to consult their academic counselor for guidance for the proper General Education coursework for an Associate of Science degree track.
Either of the following will be applicable:
1) PCC Local General Education Pattern
2) California State University (CSU) General Education Pattern
3) Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) General Education Pattern
4) Bachelor's degree from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution.
Students who have previously been awarded a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution shall be waived from the general education requirement and earn an associate degree upon completion of the AT program. However, students must still complete the additional program prerequisites before consideration for admission.
Students who have previously been awarded an associate degree from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution are not required to complete additional general education. However, only a certificate of achievement will be granted upon completion of the AT program. Students must still complete the additional program prerequisites before consideration for admission.
Note that some students may need to submit to more courses depending on their GE track to garner an AS degree before completion of the program.
Verify the GE pattern you are pursuing, if you do not verify it may result in improper fulfillment of general education courses, which may impede your admission to or completion of the program.
For students without a degree, please consult with a PCC academic counselor to determine which classes are appropriate according to your catalog rights and which general education pattern you are completing.
Program Outcomes
- Apply theory and knowledge of social sciences in effective communication with anesthesia care providers in the delivery of patient care.
- Apply theory and knowledge of chemistry and biology to assist the anesthesia provider in the selection and operation of appropriate anesthesia equipment for patient care.
- Apply theory and concepts in pharmacology specific to anesthesia surgical procedure in preparation of patient care.
- Apply theory and knowledge of basic anatomy/physiology, and pathophysiology in assisting the anesthesia provider in the development of patient care plans.
Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AT 110 | PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS OF ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| AT 111 | BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| AT 112 | ADVANCED PRINCIPLES OF ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| AT 113 | ANESTHESIA PHARMACOLOGY | 3 |
| AT 114 | BASIC ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT – THEORY AND LAB | 3.5 |
| AT 115 | ADVANCED ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT – THEORY AND LAB | 3.5 |
| AT 116 | ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I | 5 |
| AT 117A | ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE II | 2 |
| AT 117B | ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE III | 3 |
| AT 118 | ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY CASE STUDY AND PROGRAM REVIEW | 3 |
| Total Units | 32 | |
Visit the Program Manager for a suggested sequence of courses.