Program Overview

Working every day to improve the health and happiness of surgical patients is a noble career path, and one that is in-demand, secure and valued. As an Anesthesia Assistant, you’ll be a vital member of the surgical team – trusted, respected and needed.

Program Details

Program Code
ANA3
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
45 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2025 September
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed

Your Learning Experience

The Anesthesia Assistant program at Fanshawe College was designed with you, the adult learner, in mind.  The program curriculum is delivered through a mix of online courses and in-person practical labs and simulations, taught by experienced members of the Anesthesia Care Team.  

This 45-week program is divided into three 15-week semesters. Students gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in their 600-hour clinical practicum and beyond.  

Working every day to improve the health and happiness of surgical patients is a noble career path and one that is in-demand, secure and valued.  As an Anesthesia Assistant, you will be a trusted, respected and needed member of the team.

If ensuring patients have a safe and secure surgical experience and if working in an operating room with state-of-the-art equipment alongside talented colleagues excites you, then Fanshawe’s Anesthesia Assistant graduate certificate program will get you on your way.  Upon graduation, you will be ready to put your specialized, sought-after skills to work in hospitals, operating rooms and clinics across Canada.  
 

Career Information

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Anesthesia Assistant program will find employment in hospitals and surgical clinics, working primarily in operating rooms but also in post-operative care, labour and delivery, emergency and intensive care settings.

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? 

Here’s an example of an employment opportunity Career Services has received for students and graduates of Fanshawe’s Anesthesia Assistant program:

Anesthesia Assistant

Monitor patients – including accompanying them before, during and after anesthesia delivered in the operating room, endoscopy suite, recovery suite and labour/delivery room – to ensure the highest quality and continued care.

 

Hari Ramalingam

My dream job role came true through Fanshawe.

The coursework was very organized and flexible for students on their work-study commitment. Morning lectures reinforced with related labs in the afternoon made understanding of complex topics easy to master. Curriculum is presented by clinical experts currently working in this specialty so the current updates on the topic are discussed. I strongly recommend the Fanshawe AA program to any RRT/RN considering a career as an Anesthesia Assistant.

Hari Ramalingam, RRT, CCAA, BSc.Anesthesia, MBA
2017 Graduate
Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1.Operate anesthetic equipment according to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Canadian Anesthesiology Society (CAS) guidelines.

2. Participate in the provision of comprehensive patient care by applying airway management concepts as required.

3.Use applicable technology systems and software on anesthetic and monitoring equipment in the provision of patient care.

4.Interpret patient hemodynamic data and adjust the patient care plan as needed.

5.Provide anesthetic care according to pharmacological principles.

6. Evaluate on-going patient condition and adjust care plan accordingly.

7. Assist the Anesthesiologist with the patient care plan which may include preoperative assessment, induction, monitoring, maintenance of anesthesia and post-op care.

 

Related Programs

Academic School

School of Health Sciences

Program Coordinators:

David Wall

Pathways

Transfer Opportunities

Study & Work Abroad

Admission Requirements

ONE OF:
- Respiratory Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma with a current Certificate as a member of the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree or Nursing Diploma with a current Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario
AND
- 2,000 hours of work experience within the last three years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Registered Nurse (RN)*
AND
Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter that includes details of work experience

Note:

  • *The 2,000 hours of work experience within the last three years must have been completed in critical care areas such as the operating room, intensive care unit (ICU), coronary care unit (CCU) or post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) as outlined by submitting a resume and cover letter
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:

- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements

- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years

- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years.  SDS Program Requirements.  

- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with a score of 70 in writing, reading and speaking and a score of 60 in listening, with test results within the last two years

- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years

- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years

- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9 or 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10

Recommended Personal Preparation

Recommended Personal Preparation

Applicants should have strong analytical and problem solving skills and be able to perform properly in stressful and changing environments.
Applicant Selection Criteria

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. Receipt of Application by April 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
  3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements

Post-Admission Requirements

The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for important information about preparing for placement by the due date.

For all programs requiring the submission of pre-placement forms, please submit all supplemental forms (with the exception of transcripts) by email  to regforms@fanshawec.ca.

The deadline for submission of these forms for the ANA3 program is February 15th for the Fall term.

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
HLTH-6031Anesthesia Theory & Equipment4
This course provides the student with a thorough understanding of the skills and knowledge required to safely operate an anesthetic delivery unit with all its components such as vaporizers, breathing systems, ventilators, gas scavengers, and gas monitors. The competencies as taught, reinforced and evaluated follow the 2016 Anesthesia Assistant National Competency Framework (NCF) which details the competencies as required for credentialing and entry-to practice. While the format for this course delivery is didactic classroom setting, it is expected that the student will conduct themselves in a professional manner as outlined in the Program and College Policies.
HLTH-6032Cardiopulmonary Management2
This course introduces students to the concepts of Cardiopulmonary Management and involves perioperative evaluation, basic airway maintenance, and acid-base balance. Cardiopulmonary management topics include the respiratory system, circulatory system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and temperature. The competencies as taught, reinforced and evaluated follow the 2016 Anesthesia Assistant National Competency Framework (NCF) which details the competencies as required for credentialing and entry-to practice. While the format for this course delivery is didactic classroom setting, it is expected that the student will conduct themselves in a professional manner as outlined in the Program and College Policies.
HLTH-6041Laboratory Procedures 12
This course allows the student the opportunity to develop and demonstrate competency of the topics addressed in HLTH6031 and HLTH6032 in a controlled simulated laboratory environment. This is the first of two practical courses offered in the ANA3 curriculum. The student will progress within the Psychomotor Taxonomy up to and including the intermediate stage where responses become habitual and performance is effective and proficient. The content will focus on introduction, setup, initiation and maintenance of the anesthetic delivery unit, assessment and provision of appropriate therapeutic intervention for pre, post and intraoperative patients, utilization of a variety of different tools to assess and interpret pulmonary and cardiac function. The student will be introduced to high-fidelity simulation utilizing human analog simulators to encourage critical thinking and team-based management. The student will conscientiously ensure that their practice falls within professional legal boundaries along with continued enhancement of concepts pertaining to professionalism, communication, problem-solving and health and safety.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

London

Canadian Costs
$14,875.98
Total Cost of Program
View Details

*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.

 

Contact/Questions