CCAC’s Anesthesia Technologist program prepares graduates for in-demand careers

Program offers the only Anesthesia Technologist Associate Degree in Pennsylvania 

PITTSBURGH—The Community College of Allegheny County’s Anesthesia Technologist Associate of Science Degree program is preparing students for rewarding careers in the growing field of anesthesia technology. The demand is high for skilled technologists, particularly in a region such as Pittsburgh with numerous medical facilities, and new technologists are needed to replace those who are retiring. These vital members of the medical team assist with the preparation of equipment and medication required for the delivery of anesthesia care to patients who are in chronic pain or undergoing surgery. In the past, anesthesia technologists were trained on the job—due to changes in the educational training required by their accreditation body, an associate degree is now required to practice as an anesthesia technologist.

CCAC’s is the only two-year associate degree program in the state and is one of only 13 in the nation, providing students a great opportunity to enter a lucrative field. Notably, the first three graduating classes of the college’s program enjoyed a 100% job placement rate. Students in the fourth class, scheduled to graduate in December, are also on track for 100% job placement. In addition, the certification graduates receive upon passing the certification exam is national, so graduates are eligible to work in anywhere in the country. 

According to Wendi Slusser, CCAC professor and program director, graduates who start out in entry-level positions are able to advance to managerial positions through the career ladders that exist within medical facilities. She also touts the affordability of the program and the opportunity to enter a career with strong earning potential. 

Fannie Roach, a graduate of the program now working as an anesthesia technologist at Piedmont Hospital in Fayetteville, Ga., credits the program with setting her on a rewarding career path.

“The Anesthesia Technologist program at CCAC changed my life for the better and opened doors for me in the medical field. The education I received has helped me evolve in my approach to patient care and has given me the incentive to advance my career. I am looking forward to receiving a bachelor’s degree in the future.” 

Classes are enrolling now for CCAC’s spring 2021 Anesthesia Technologist program. All of the lectures in the spring semester will be online; the in-person labs will be conducted in smaller groups.

For more information, contact Wendi Slusser at wslusser@ccac.edu. To learn more about CCAC’s program, visit Anesthesia Technologist Associate of Science Program.