Welcome to the Anesthesia Practical Experience Pathway CEU curriculum! My name is Jamie DeCaro and I will be your instructor this fall. I am very excited to be part of your journey towards obtaining national certification. Our career is still young in its roots; however, by increasing educational opportunity and leading more techs towards certification it will help promote our clinical value within the anesthesia care team.

My journey to this field was not a direct path. My entire life I have been fascinated with the human body and how it works. In high school, I began taking additional elective courses such as Anatomy and Physiology and Sport Medicine. I applied my learnings towards my own biomechanics, training, and sometimes injuries towards my own athletic performance. After high school, I attended the University of
Massachusetts-Lowell and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exercise Physiology with a double minor in Clinical Lab Sciences and Nutrition.

Furthering my education, I went directly to Graduate School at Springfield College and obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Exercise Science. My early career choices were within the realm of health and fitness until I had a desire to go clinical. I got a job at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) as a cardiac tech within the Nuclear Cardiology department. I worked in a team environment conducting diagnostic cardiac testing. We evaluated and diagnosed arrhythmias, ischemia, myocardial infarctions, and wall motion abnormalities. I became proficient in prepping and interpreting EKGs, taking and monitoring vital signs, and starting IVs. In my time there, I became a senior tech and served as a
preceptor to new employees.

After starting a family, I needed a new work/life balance to accommodate the growing needs of my children. An interesting opportunity came around that changed my course of careers and hospitals. A former co-worker made me aware of a job opportunity working in the operating rooms as an Anesthesia technician at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). Unfamiliar with the role and job description of an Anesthesia tech, I did some research and felt confident with on-the-job training I could perform the job duties and acquire the knowledge needed to succeed.

After working closely within the anesthesia care team as an entry-level Anesthesia Technician, I returned to school to further my education. After obtaining an Anesthesia Technology degree from the College of DuPage, I sat for and passed the national examination. I became a Certified Anesthesia Technologist in 2017. The advanced skill set and knowledge acquired during the Anesthesia Technology program allowed me to cover some of our patient population's most complex and unique cases.

In 2020, I was promoted to Chief Anesthesia Technologist at BCH. Our team has expanded from thirty (30) to over sixty (60) Anesthesia Technicians and Technologists that provide support to over seventy (70) anesthetizing locations. Our room coverage adheres to ASATT recommended guidelines and our career ladder emphasizes education and certification.

I continue to advocate for the profession and highlight our clinical value as part of anesthesia care team.
I look forward to the future of additional Anesthesia Technology programs and Certified Anesthesia Technologists working in the field. I am committed to helping you on your pathway and look forward the next fifteen weeks getting to know you.

Contact Information

Instructor: Jamie DeCaro
Office Location: Online.
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: Jamie_Decaro@quincycollege.edu

Course Description

The Anesthesia Technician Practical Experience continuing educational pathway program is a 15-week
noncredit online program designed for experienced uncertified anesthesia technicians to earn eligibility
for the National Certification Exam (NCE) as a Certified Anesthesia Technologist (Cer.A.T.T.).

14 weeks for 4.5 hours/week = 63 hours
1 week for 4.5 hours for certification preparation.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Evaluate basic science and principles of anesthesia to the delivery of anesthesia care. (CLO 1)
Identify the reasons for surgical procedures, and the implications and considerations for various
populations.(CLO 2)
Describe indications and operational principles for the use of various types of equipment,
instrumentation and technology required for the delivery of anesthesia. (CLO 3)
Discuss professional standards and safety considerations for anesthesia technology in relation to
regulatory compliance. (CLO 4)
Differentiate pharmacology mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, and
considerations in relation to surgical procedures and various populations.(CLO 5)

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

Course Materials

Course Textbook:

Required:

Guimaraes, E. S., Davis, M., Kirsch, J.R., & Woodworth, G. (2019). The Anesthesia Technologist’s manual.
Wolter Kluwer

Optional;
Dorsch J., Dorsch, S. (2010). A Practical Approach to Anesthesia Equipment (1st Ed.)

Third-party Software:

During this course, you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you should not provide personal information about yourself or your classmates on a public site. Where appropriate, you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personal information. If you have any concerns about this process, please contact your instructor.

Course Syllabus & Course Map

Course Syllabus
Course Map (Please add a link to the course map here.)

What's the point of the Course Map?

The Course Map allows you to see the why of the course content. By referring to this map, you will be able to see which course- and module-level objectives are linked to each module's assessments and activities.

Academic Integrity

Please read and familiarize yourself with the following Quincy College academic integrity policies:

Student Code of Conduct: Students at Quincy College are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. Academic dishonesty is considered a serious breach of these ethical standards because it interferes with the College mission to provide a high-quality education in which no student enjoys an unfair advantage over any other. Please refer to Policy 6.16: Student Code of Conduct Policy in the QC Policy Manual.
Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty is also destructive to the College community, which is grounded in a system of mutual trust and places a high value on personal integrity and individual responsibility. Please refer to Policy 5.15: Academic Integrity Policy in the QC Policy Manual.
The Quincy College Policy Manual: For detailed information about the mission, vision, commitment to excellence, and general policies of Quincy College, please refer to the QC Policy Manual.

Accessibility & Privacy Policies

Various tools and technologies will be utilized throughout this course. For information on the privacy and accessibility standards of specific technologies, please refer to the following policies:

QC Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides academic support, accommodations, and many other services to meet student accessibility needs. For further information, or if you feel you require support, please contact Student Accessibility Services.

QC Student Success

Need Help?

Free support services are available for QC's online learners. You can access resources and assistance through QC's Student Services.

Next Steps: Begin This Course

Complete the following:

Review the material in the Start Here module.
Complete the Getting to Know You Survey.
Participate in the Course Introductions discussion board.
Complete the Syllabus & Course Quiz.

Click the Next ▶ button to continue.