From Patient Care to Technology: The Path to Becoming an Anesthesia Technician

Do you have a liking for the medical profession but do you think you cannot study for so many years to be a good doctor? Well, if not in medical science, you can pursue a career in allied medical science and still work in hospitals, providing healthcare to people. Anaesthesia Technology is a good option and technicians are in demand.

Anesthesia Technicians support and assist anesthesiologists, nurses, and other members of anesthesia care teams in the administration of anesthesia to patients who undergo surgery. They prepare various equipment and devices for administering anesthesia to patients. They assist surgeons and nurses to induce anesthesia in patients as well as take them out of the influence of anesthesia once the surgical procedures are over.

Why become an Anesthesia Technician? 

You will support and assist anesthesiologists, nurses, and other members of anesthesia care teams in the administration of anesthesia. You will be in charge of all the anesthesia equipment and be responsible for taking care of them. Your duties include:

• Sterilizing, calibrating, and cleaning equipment, as well as testing it
• Monitoring patients under anesthesia
• Transporting patients to surgery
• Assisting in the administration of anesthesia during surgical and nonsurgical procedures

Popular Specialization in Anesthesia Technician Career 

1. Cardiothoracic Anesthesia concerns itself with surgical cases such as open heart surgery, lung surgery, and other operations of the human chest. This also encompasses the management of the cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung) machine, which is required during most of the cardiac processes while the heart undergoes surgery. 
2. Critical Care Anesthesia: Owing to their extensive training in clinical physiology/pharmacology and resuscitation, anesthesiologists often undertake and coordinate the care of patients in the ICU, which is where they again need their team of anesthesia technicians, who play an active role in stabilizing and preparing the patient for emergency surgery. 
3. Neurosurgical Anesthesia is a subspecialization concerned with managing and administering anesthetic procedures to people with Central Nervous System damage, including the brain and the spine.
4. Obstetric Anesthesia is occupied with providing peripartum pain relief during labor and cesarean section procedures. 
5. Orthopedic Anesthesia is concerned with providing pain relief or putting the patient under during musculoskeletal surgical procedures. 
6. Pediatric Anesthesia concerns itself with managing anesthesia procedures involving surgical or non-surgical care of children, adolescents, and infants.
7. Pain Medicine concerns itself with providing pain relief and managing patients during post or pre-operative care.

What does an Anesthesia Technician do?

• Provide airway management interventions including tracheal intubation, fiber optics, or ventilatory support.
• Respond to emergency situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), or pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
• Verify the availability of operating room supplies, medications, and gases.
• Pretest and calibrate anesthesia delivery systems and monitors.
• Control anesthesia levels during procedures.
• Assist anesthesiologists in the monitoring of patients, including electrocardiogram (EKG), arterial pressure, or routine measurement of temperature, respiration, blood pressure, or heart rate.
• Administer blood, blood products, or supportive fluids.
• Collect and document patients’ pre-anesthetic health histories.
• Assist in the provision of advanced life support techniques including those procedures using high-frequency ventilation or cardiovascular assistance devices.
• Monitor and document patients’ progress during the post-anesthesia period.
• Administer anesthetic, adjuvant, or accessory drugs under the direction of an anesthesiologist.

How to become an Anesthesia Technician – eligibility criteria 

To become an Anaesthesia Technician, you must have a Diploma in Anaesthesia Technician / Operation Theatre and Anaesthesia Technologies / in a similar field after completion of your Class 11-12 in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Educational fees

The cost of becoming an Anesthesia Technician in India can vary depending on several factors, such as the educational institution, location, and duration of the course. However, here are some estimated costs:

1. Diploma in Anesthesia Technology: The course duration is 2 years, and the approximate cost of the course ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.
2. Bachelor’s degree in Anesthesia Technology: The course duration is 4 years, and the approximate cost of the course ranges from Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 8,00,000.
3. Certification courses: Various institutes and organizations offer short-term certification courses in Anesthesia Technology. The cost of such courses varies depending on the duration, the institute, and the level of training provided.

It’s important to note that these are rough estimates and that the cost of becoming an Anesthesia Technician in India can vary depending on various factors. It’s recommended that you research the options available and speak to the educational institutions to get a more accurate idea of the costs involved.

Job Opportunities

After completing your Diploma as an Anesthesia Technician, you are qualified to seek out private and governmental healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes) for a job as an Anesthesia Technician.

Salary of an Anesthesia Technician 

At the beginning of your career, you can expect to earn about Rs. 8,000 – 18,000 per month. 

With 2-5 years of experience, you may earn about Rs. 10,000-22,000. 

With 6-12 years of experience, you can expect to earn about Rs. 12,000-35,000 or more per month.

With 15+ years of experience, you may expect to earn about Rs. 20,000-70,000 or more per month. 

Higher salaries are offered by Government hospitals.

Career Progression as an Anesthesia Technician Profession

Although the scope of growth is limited in the field, you can certainly grow from being an entry-level trainee or technician to an experienced supervisor who’ll be in charge of advanced testing and surgical operations procedures.

What do industry trends say – Future Prospects

Healthcare has become one of India’s largest sectors – both in terms of revenue and employment. According to the latest IBEF (Indian Brand Equity Foundation) reports, by 2022 the healthcare market in India is predicted to reach US$ 372 billion, thanks to rising incomes, greater health awareness, and increased access to life insurance. By FY22, the hospital industry is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 16-17%, reaching US$ 132.84 billion, up from US$ 61.79 billion in FY17. These stats show that there will be plenty of employment for Anesthesia Technicians in the future, in both public and private domains of the healthcare sector. 

*FY means Financial Year that is 1st April of a year to 31st March of the next year.

Also Read:

• Career in Health Sciences
• Career in Healthcare Management
• Career Options in Medicine
• Career as an Anesthesia Technician
• Career as an Cardiac Care Technician
• Careers in Healthcare Support Services