About the Profession

About the Profession 

ASATT represents the non-physician, non-anesthetist member of the anesthesia healthcare team. We are organized to provide the means by which Certified Anesthesia Technologists and Certified Anesthesia Technicians may coordinate their efforts for advancement, establish standards of excellence, and service the interests of the profession more efficiently. The American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is a member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), a nationally recognized organization that establishes standards for credentialing examination programs.

The Anesthesia Technologist and Anesthesia Technician

Certified Anesthesia Technologists (Cer.A.T.T), Certified Anesthesia Technicians (Cer.A.T.), and non-certified Anesthesia Technicians are integral members of the anesthesia patient care team. Their role is to assist licensed anesthesia providers in the acquisition, preparation and application of the equipment and supplies required for the administration of anesthesia. In this role, they contribute to safe efficient and cost-effective anesthesia care. Cer.A.T.T.s and Cer.A.T.s provide support in anesthesia for routine and complex surgical cases. They provide this service by preparing and maintaining patient monitoring devices and anesthesia delivery systems before, during and after anesthesia.

Depending on individual expertise and training, the task of the Cer.A.T.T., Cer.A.T. and non-certified Anesthesia Technician may include equipment maintenance and servicing such as cleaning, sterilizing, assembling, calibrating and testing, troubleshooting, requisitioning and recording of inspections and maintenance. They may operate a variety of mechanical, pneumatic and electronic equipment used to monitor, evaluate and manage the patient undergoing anesthesia. The Cer.A.T.T. who has the appropriate training may perform inspection, maintenance of inventories and service records. They may also provide support in areas of pressure monitoring, autotransfusion and laboratory functions.

Individuals functioning as Cer.A.T. or Cer.A.T.T. should be capable of a level of self direction and supervision that is commensurate with their training.