Indiana Approves New Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

On February 9, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) approved a new Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) degree. The graduate level program will be offered through the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Accreditation is in process. Further information about the MSA degree and program can be found at http://anesthesia.iu.edu/Education/AnesthesiologistAssistant/Introduction.aspx. With the ICHE’s approval, Indiana University will offer the twelfth anesthesiologist assistant (AA) educational program nationwide.

In 2016, Indiana adopted AA regulations and issued its first AA license.

To date, AAs may practice in 17 jurisdictions, the Medicare Program, the Veterans Affairs system, and Tri-Care (The military’s health insurance). AAs are highly skilled health professionals who work within the direction of physician anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. They work exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment. All AAs possess a premedical undergraduate background and complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school master’s degree level. They are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques.

To learn more about AAs, please contact Jason Hansen, Director of State Affairs.