Anesthesia Technology: Accelerated Alternative Delivery

The Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) anesthesia technology faculty focus on teaching students the fundamental and advanced clinical procedures which assist the anesthesia provider in the safe and efficient care of patients.

Our program offers specialized knowledge to become proficient in the acquisition, preparation, and application of various types of equipment required for the delivery of anesthesia care.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in anesthesia technology accelerated alternative delivery from WCCCD prepares you for work across various roles such as:

• Anesthesia Technologist
• Surgical Technologist

What’s the Job Outlook for Anesthesia Technologists?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for surgical technologists and technicians, such as anesthesia technicians, were expected to grow faster than average (www.bls.gov). The BLS pointed to the aging population, which may require more surgery, as one of the reasons for the expected 9 percent increase during the decade 2018 to 2028.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 2020, Surgical Technology at www.bls.gov

What’s Required to Complete the Anesthesia Technology Accelerated Alternative Delivery Program?

An AAS in Anesthesia Technology from WCCCD requires 60 total credits.

As an anesthesia technology accelerated alternative delivery student at WCCCD, you’ll take both general education courses and courses required for an anesthesia technology major.

Some students plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after earning their AAS. If that’s your goal, you might choose specific courses. Talk with your advisor about a personalized plan that meets your goals.

How Long Does it Take to Earn an Anesthesia Technology Accelerated Alternative Delivery Degree?

Most anesthesia technology accelerated alternative delivery students take six semesters (3 years) to complete AAS degree prerequisites and required courses.

What Will I Learn as an Anesthesia Technology Accelerated Alternative Delivery Student?

WCCCD anesthesia technology accelerated alternative delivery students learn to combine academic and clinical instruction that includes learning to prepare, maintain, and troubleshoot complex anesthesia equipment and suctions fluids, and assembling complex equipment. They will also learn to work in a variety of clinical settings including: hospital operating rooms, interventional and diagnostic radiology, labor and delivery units, intensive care units, emergency rooms, outpatient procedure suites, and ambulatory surgery centers.

Programmatic Admission / Portfolio Requirements

• Valid and current AHA-BLS (Provider) card.
• Current ASATT Membership.
• All science courses (biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology I and II) must be taken within the previous five years when transferring the credit(s) into the anesthesia technology program.
• Complete criminal background check (paid for by student).
• Physical exam / assessment by primary care physician (PCP).
• Provide documentation of the following vaccines:
  • Hepatitis B - Tetanus
  • MMR - Seasonal Flu
  • Varicella
• Negative Tuberculosis examination – tested within previous 12-months.
  • Negative chest x-ray (CXR) may also be provided.
• Two reference letters (should speak of your character and why you should be considered for entry)
  • 1 professional letter (examples include)
  • Chief or Co-Chief Anesthesiologist
  • Chief or Co-Chief CRNA
  • Staff Anesthesiologist
  • Staff CRNA
  • Chief Anesthesia Technologist / Technician
  • Operating Room Director
  • Education Director that has worked closely with you over the years.
  • 1 personal letter. This letter should come from someone that you’ve worked with over the years. (examples include)
  • Surgical Technologist
  • Registered Nurse
  • Central Processing Technician
  • Pharmacist(s)
  • Volunteer Organization Leader / Member
  • Church Congregation Member
  • Educational Leader
• Negative Urine Drug Screening
  • This will be completed and submitted before attending clinical education for graduate checkoffs.
• Submit documentation verifying clinical experiences for at least 300 anesthesia surgical procedures in the anesthesia technician role. Upon submission of the documentation, a student will prepare the appropriate paperwork so that experiential credit can be granted as part of the AAD curriculum. Credit will be recorded on the student’s academic record, without grade as follows:

Anesthesia Technologist (ANE) 200 – Anesthesia Technology Clinical I – 4 credit hours, and 240 contact hours. Experiential learning credit is given to a student that has worked in the role as an Anesthesia Technician with worked hours between 6240 (ambulatory surgery), 4160 hours within level 2 trauma, or 2080 hours in level 1 trauma.

Anesthesia Technologist (ANE) 210 – Anesthesia Technology Clinical II – 4 credit hours, and 240 contact hours. Experiential learning credit is given to a student that has worked in the role as an Anesthesia Technician with worked hours between 6240 (ambulatory surgery), 4160 hours within level 2 trauma, or 2080 hours in level 1 trauma.