Columbia State Community College recently honored eight anesthesia technology graduates in a pinning ceremony in the Waymon L. Hickman Building.

“Our graduates have completed a very rigorous program that has tested and challenged their cognitive abilities, their psychomotor skills and behaviors in clinical rounds to assist with the safe delivery of anesthesia for the members of our community,” said Sue Christian, Columbia State program director and assistant professor of anesthesia technology. “Several of our students have already secured employment and Columbia State is fortunate enough to have incredible employers in our service region!”

The Anesthesia Technology Associate of Applied Science degree academic plan involves two or more semesters of general education coursework followed by a 12-month, three semester, series of core courses designed to provide classroom and clinical-based competencies which provide students with the skills required for credentialing exam success and immediate in-field employment.

“Columbia State sponsors the only accredited anesthesia technology program in Tennessee,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “These graduates will help continue to raise awareness of the profession and the important contribution formally educated technologists make for an anesthesia team.”

Anesthesia technologists support the licensed anesthesia provider with the acquisition, preparation and application of various types of equipment required for the delivery of anesthesia. Other job responsibilities of the anesthesia technologist include maintaining the anesthesia machine, assisting with vascular access and regional anesthesia procedures, troubleshooting equipment, assisting with difficult airways, performing point of care lab tests and operating rapid infusers. More advanced duties might include the operation of autotransfusion equipment or intra-aortic balloon pumps.