Certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAA) are crucial members of the anesthesia care team at the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. As part of CAA week, we’re highlighting the crucial role that these medical professionals play throughout the perioperative process.
What is a certified anesthesiologist assistant?
Certified anesthesiologist assistants are highly trained medical professionals with graduate-level training and specialized knowledge in the planning and delivery of anesthesia care. They are active at all stages of the perioperative process, working as part of the anesthesia care team to ensure patients are comfortable and safe throughout their procedures.
“It’s an incredibly competitive field,” said Maryam Aminzadeh, chief CAA at the UF Department of Anesthesiology. “In the last 20 years there’s been an exponential increase in anesthesia needs. There are more CAA training positions every year, but also more applicants for those positions.”
What makes a successful certified anesthesiologist assistant?
Aminzadeh said that a passion to take care of people is an important part of being a successful CAA.
“The stars are team players with commitment and passion,” she said. “Personality is a strong part of anesthesia; you have to be sensitive and capable of making patients feel safe. That’s something that many successful CAAs learn through training, observing colleagues, and hands-on experiences with patients.”
What is it like being a certified anesthesiologist assistant at the University of Florida?
UF Health Shands is one of the largest hospital systems in the southeast United States, which means its healthcare providers see some of the most complex and difficult cases in the country.
“A lot of the basic steps of care are consistent, but every day and every patient is unique,” said Aminzadeh. “It’s important to be adaptable.”
Why do you love your work?
“What’s unique about anesthesia is that you get to interact with every aspect of the perioperative process,” said Aminzadeh. “I get to work with lots of different people on a huge variety of cases; I still learn every single day.”