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Anesthesia Assistant Program

  • Program is available to applicants residing in or outside of Canada (with the exception of the clinical practica).

This Post-Diploma Program is designed to provide Respiratory Therapists or Registered Nurses with critical care experience or foreign trained physicians with the knowledge and clinical skills required to fulfill the designated role of an Anesthesia Assistant as defined and approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society (CAS).

The program consists of a theory portion and a clinical practicum. Under this CAS designation of an Anesthesia Assistant, individuals are expected to fulfill a wide range of technical and advanced clinical duties. The theory portion of the program is offered through an OL Faculty Member-supported distance study format. The 16 week clinical practicum is held in a hospital environment under the supervision of an Anesthetist with support of a TRU-based OL Faculty Member, following criteria developed by TRU.

Note: Individuals with previous experience in Anesthesia Assisting may be eligible to challenge portions of the program. A detailed description of your experience with supporting evidence will be necessary to complete a Prior Learning Assessment.

Residency Requirements

9 credits of TRU coursework (distance or on-campus).

Admission Requirements

  • Students must be a qualified Registered Respiratory Therapist, Registered Nurse (critical care experience preferred) or an equally qualified individual (proof of association membership is required).
  • One year of post-graduate clinical experience is strongly recommended. 
  • Students are solely responsible for finding a hospital that is willing to undertake the training with them.
  • In addition, an Anesthesiologist must provide a letter recommending and sponsoring the candidates suitability.

Diploma Requirements

A pre-entrance exam (ANES 0011) determines the student's course of studies. Students who pass all subject areas of the exam can directly enter and complete the program's core courses prior to their clinical practicum.

Students who do not pass all subject areas of the exam must take the corresponding course(s). Students may also choose to take all four support courses rather than writing the exam.

For the core courses each course is rated at a level of 3 to 6 credits which is the equivalent of 120 to 240 hours of traditional instruction. The total is rated as the equivalent of one complete semester of study.

Following successful completion of all core anesthesia theory components, a full-time clinical practicum (ANES 4101) of 16 weeks is required.

Candidates are normally expected to complete this program in under two years, with a maximum allowed time period of three years. It is expected that students will continue with full- or part-time employment during the didactic study period.

Facilitator support is provided by anesthesiologists, anesthesia assistants, respiratory therapists, and registered nurses as approved by the College. On-going evaluation is provided in the form of self-assessment tests included in the modules and final exams using traditional formats (eg. multiple choice/short answers) upon completion of each course.

Clinical supervision is on a one-to-one basis with an anesthesiologist and an anesthesia assistant dedicated to the program. The evaluation process includes a clinical log and In-Training Evaluation Reports (ITERs).

Note: Students must have current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification in order to proceed to the clinical component and successfully complete this program. Proof must be in one of the following formats: an official transcript from the provider of the course; a notarized copy of the original ACLS license; or, an original ACLS license, which can then be returned.

Support Course Requirements

Core Course Requirements

Clinical Practicum