Kamloops posted Nov 1, 2021 @ 12:20pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

TRU adds 17 seats to anesthesia assistant program

Seventeen seats were added to Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) anesthesia assistant program with students beginning their programs this September.

Anesthesia assistants provide care to surgical patients during general, regional or conscious sedation anesthesia under the supervision of the anesthesiologist.

Students will have the designation of registered respiratory therapist (RRT) or registered nurse (RN) with critical care experience.

The length of the program varies depending upon experience but can usually be completed in less than two years.

“By investing in in-demand programs, we are committed to training the next generation of health-care professionals in BC,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education.

<who> Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University

BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skill Training provided almost $345,000 to offer cohort programs in partnership with health authorities in the Lower Mainland and Island Health.

According to the provincial government’s release, the Ministry of Health is also providing BC Children’s Hospital with $23,260 for a part-time anesthesia assistant pediatric clinical instructor to support student learning.

The release explains that this announcement builds upon $4.4 million made available in 2020 for new seats for health-care workers to help the government respond to local and emerging needs.

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