It is strongly recommend that a student shadow a certified anesthesiologist assistant in the operating room environment. If you are in an area where CAAs are not prevalent, then shadowing an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist is suggested. You should keep a detailed record of your shadowing hours so that you may upload that document to your CASAA application. Check with individual programs for experience records requirements.
Find ways to get experience in the medical field before you attend an anesthesiologist assistant program. There are many different ways to do this. Check out our resources to get some ideas:
Healthcare Volunteering Opportunities
- Dell Children's Medical Center
- North Austin Medical Center
- People's Community Clinic
- CommUnity Care Services
- Austin/Travis County Communicable Disease Clinic Tel: (512) 972-5430
- Hospice Austin
- Austin Volunteer Healthcare Clinic
- Heart Hospital of Austin (requires 6 month commitment)
- St. David's Medical Center
- South Austin Hospital
- Seton Healthcare Family
- Texas Osteopathic Medical Association
- Provident Memory Care
- C.D. Doyle Clinic
- Austin Volunteer Match