25 Anesthesiologist Assistant Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Anesthesiologist Assistant interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Do you use Atropine on a patient who has had a heart transplant?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's knowledge on how to care for a patient during and after a heart transplant. Because the anesthesiology assistant is required to administer drugs and medications to patients during and after operations, it is extremely important that they understand which drugs are appropriate for which patients. In the case of administering Atropine for heart transplant patients, it is contraindicated, because the patients' hearts are denervated and will not respond to the drug. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should clearly state that they will not administer Atropine and provide an example of an alternative drug they would administer to a heart transplant patient instead.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"No, I would not use Atropine on a heart transplant patient, as it is not recommended. Working in a transplant unit, I have worked with many heart transplant patients and have never once considered administering Atropine, as I know it is contraindicated. Instead, I usually administer theophylline, as it offers effective and specific therapy for heart transplant patients, especially those with early bradyarrhythmias."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"While I have never assisted with a heart transplant patient, I am aware that they should not receive Atropine. Atropine is not effective for heart transplant patients and can put them in danger. Instead of using Atropine, I would use Dopamine or Epinephrine during and after the operation, as the patient's new heart has the ability to respond to these drugs, even though it is denervated."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2. What experience do you have administering regional anesthesia during surgical procedures?
How to Answer
At times, for surgical procedures, it is necessary or more beneficial to perform the procedure using regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. With regional anesthesia, the patient remains alert or can be sedated during the procedure, and medication is injected near a cluster of nerves to numb only the area that requires surgery. This type of anesthesia can be used on many types of surgical procedures, including but not limited to: orthopedic, gastrointestinal, gynecological, vascular, and urological. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how much experience the candidate has with administering regional anesthesia and what types of procedures they have administered regional anesthesia for. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should describe their experience, in detail, with administering regional anesthesia, including the types of procedures they have administered regional anesthesia for.
Written by Kelly Burlison on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"There have been many surgical procedures that I have administered regional anesthesia for, and I am very comfortable with doing so. I started out administering this type of procedure when performing nerve blocks during orthopedic surgeries; however, as I have gained more experience over the years, I have been able to use regional anesthesia in many more cases, such as gynecological, urological, and vascular procedures. When using this type of anesthesia, I am sure to speak with the patient beforehand to determine if they need to be sedated, so I can administer the appropriate sedation medication as well."
Written by Kelly Burlison on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Up to this point in my anesthesiologist assistant career, my experience with administering regional anesthesia has been limited to administering epidurals and nerve blocks for orthopedic surgeries. While my experience in administering regional anesthesia is somewhat limited, I am interested in expanding my skills in this area. In particular, I am interested in administering regional anesthesia to patients undergoing more complex procedures, such as gastrointestinal and vascular surgeries, and I hope I would have the opportunity to gain this experience with your organization."
Written by Kelly Burlison on February 17th, 2019
3. th
How to Answer
Due to the wide range of operations, surgeries, and procedures that exist, the breadth of an anesthesiologist assistant's previous experience can vary greatly from candidate to candidate. The interviewer is asking this question to better understand what types of operations, surgeries, and/or procedures the candidate has assisted with throughout their career. Depending on their experience, the candidate may have had extensive or limited experience and could have potentially assisted with transplants, trauma, neurosurgery, cardiac, general surgery, pain management, patient monitoring, and a variety of other procedures. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should be open and honest about their experiences in assisting with procedures and should clearly articulate the types of procedures they have assisted with in the past.
For example, "Becuase most of my experience as an anesthesiology assistant has been in a large hospital, I have assisted with a wide variety of procedures, including transplants, trauma surgeries, neurosurgeries, cardiac, and general surgeries. I have worked on very complex cases who have large teams of doctors and working on then and on cases that are minor, routine surgeries, such as appendectomies. Because of my wide range of experience assisting with many types of procedures, I feel confident that I will be able to successfully care for patients who are undergoing procedures while I am employed at your organization."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Becuase most of my experience as an anesthesiology assistant has been in a large hospital, I have assisted with a wide variety of procedures, including transplants, trauma surgeries, neurosurgeries, cardiac, and general surgeries. I have worked on very complex cases who have large teams of doctors and working on then and on cases that are minor, routine surgeries, such as appendectomies. Because of my wide range of experience assisting with many types of procedures, I feel confident that I will be able to successfully care for patients who are undergoing procedures while I am employed at your organization."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Since my only job as an anesthesiologist assistant has been at an orthopedic surgery center, my past experience is limited to assisting with orthopedic surgeries. But, I have assisted with some complex cases that required long-term patient monitoring and post-op pain management. There have also been times where emergencies arose, and I followed appropriate ACLS protocols to administer life-saving care. So, even though my experience has been limited and I haven't worked on trauma patients or complex neurosurgery patients, not everything has been easy, and I have gained a lot of experience that will help me be successful as an anesthesiologist assistant at your organization."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
4. Are you comfortable organizing staff and workload?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's potential for taking on a leadership position. If the candidate is an experienced anesthesiologist assistant and has the capacity for leadership, they may be expected to fill a leadership position at some point in the future. In a leadership position, the candidate would be responsible for leading and mentoring staff, dividing workload, and ensuring that all team members are contributing and following proper protocols. In order to successfully answer this question, the candidate should detail their comfort level and experience organizing staff and workload. A stronger answer to this question would include a specific example of how the candidate specifically organized staff or workload in their career as an anesthesiologist assistant.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I am very comfortable with organizing staff and workload. While I am not currently in a management position, I have had previous positions where I was lead anesthesiologist assistant, and it was my responsibility to manage and schedule staff, organize workload and ensure everyone was following protocols. Even though I do not currently work in such a position, I enjoy this type of work, and if the opportunity arises for me to take on such a role for your organization, I would be happy to take on the challenge."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"When my supervisor, who is team lead for the anesthesiology assistants at the hospital that I work, is off or away on business, I am the one who is typically appointed to assume her supervisory responsibilities. While staff schedules are typically already set, I am responsible for making adjustments to the schedule when emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances arise. Also, it is my responsibility to organize the workload and assign each individual on the team to the cases that are scheduled. This experience has allowed me to become very comfortable with organizing staff and workload, and I feel comfortable that, if needed, I can continue to take on responsibilities at your organization."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
5. What are vasoactive drips and when would you use them?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the candidate's knowledge of vasoactive drips and their use. It is important that the candidate understand the proper indications of vasoactive drips and when they should be used. Vasoactive drips affect the vascular system and control heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure. Anesthesiologist assistants may use vasoactive drips when patients cannot maintain stable blood pressure or heart rate/rhythm on their own during a procedure. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should share their knowledge about vasoactive drips and their use, and a stronger answer would include a specific example of how the candidate used vasoactive drips to manage to control a patients' heart rate/rhythm or blood pressure during a procedure.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"In my experience as an anesthesiology assistant, I often use vasoactive drips in procedures that are performed on cardiac patients. Most commonly, I use the medication Vasopressin in the drip, and I use the medication when the patient needs assistance in managing their heart rate, heart rhythm, or blood pressure. If administered appropriately, through the vasoactive drip, the medication can be very effective at helping manage the patient's vital signs."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Just this week I had to start a vasoactive drip on a patient when we were having a difficult time managing their heart rate during their operation. I have done this many times, so I was very comfortable in doing so. I titrated by slightly increasing and decreasing the dose of medication in order to help regulate the patient's heart rate during the procedure, and was successfully able to maintain a stable heart rate for the patient. This is only one example of how I have managed a patient's vitals using a vasoactive drip, as I have done so many times before, managing heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
6. What is your experience using ACLS protocols?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's knowledge and skill level of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Early in every anesthesiology assistant's training, they should have received ACLS training, which includes a set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening emergencies, as well as the knowledge and skills to deploy those interventions. The candidate's ability to effectively respond to a crisis, using ACLS interventions directly correlates to patient outcomes. To effectively answer this question, the candidate should articulate their knowledge of ACLS protocols and how they have used them in the past, such as managing airways, initiating VI access, reading and interpreting electrocardiograms, and understanding emergency pharmacology.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"As an experienced anesthesiology assistant, who is trained in ACLS, I am comfortable using these protocols in an emergent situation with any patient. In my previous experience, I have followed appropriate ACLS protocols to manage patient airways, start IVs, read electrocardiograms, and determine which medications to administer. Due to my quick actions and adherence to ACLS protocols, I have been able to intervene in dangerous situations and save many patients' lives."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"One of the first things I learned in my anesthesiologist assistant training was ACLS protocols, and ever since, I have used these protocols to intervene on patients during life-threatening emergencies. ACLS protocols are posted in each surgery suite in my current facility, for reference; however, I am very familiar with them, so I rarely need to reference these guides. I am fully comfortable with intervening and administering life-saving care, such as managing airways, starting IV's, reading electrocardiograms, and administering appropriate medications."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
7. What positive impacts have you made in your current or previous position as an anesthesiologist assistant?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate views him/herself as a professional and an anesthesiologist assistant. It is important to learn how the candidate views him/herself, as it can help the interviewer gauge their confidence and their values as a professional, teammate, and a person. In order to successfully answer this question, the candidate should describe a contribution they have made to their team or their department.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I would say the most positive impact I have made in my current position as an anesthesiologist assistant is building continuity with the mid-level team of anesthesiologist assistants and getting us recognized as a separate team. When I first joined the team where I currently work, the anesthesiologist assistants were not recognized as a separate team with our own unique needs and abilities. However, a few months after joining the team, I spoke with the chief anesthesiologist and told her why the assistants should be recognized as our own, separate division within the department. After having this conversation, I was allowed to form a separate division, which allowed the assistants to establish more effective processes, streamlined education programs, and ultimately increased morale."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I would say my most important contribution to my current department has been leading multiple quality improvement projects to improve patient care. Before I started my educational program to become an anesthesiologist assistant, I worked in quality improvement and quality measurement, so I was able to use this experience to help improve processes and outcomes. Now that these quality improvement projects have been successful, the department is looking into starting a full-time quality initiative, so we can continuously improve our practice."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
8. What hours are you available to work?
How to Answer
Depending on the facility, the candidate may be required to work outside of standard business hours. It is very common for anesthesiologist assistants to work both evenings and weekends, especially if they are employed by a hospital or other 24-hour care facility. The interviewer is asking this question to determine the candidate's availability, flexibility, and if they fit the scheduling needs of your organization. It is important for the candidate to answer this question openly and honestly and tell the interviewer why they can or cannot work alternative shifts, such as evenings and weekends. If the candidate is unavailable to work regular evenings and weekends, they can inform the interviewer that they can pick up the occasional evening or weekend shift, but should still be honest about their ability to do so.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Unfortunately, I am not able to work evenings or weekends right now. I am available to work day shift and am very dependable in doing so as I always arrive on time and only call out when there is a true emergency. But, due to obligations with my family, I am unable to commit to regular evenings and weekends. If we are in a bind, and several people are scheduled to be out, I can cover an evening or weekend shift every once and a while, but I will need to know well in advance, so I can make arrangements for my children."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I can be flexible and am available to work days, evenings, or weekends. However, for continuity, I would rather not switch between evenings and days too many times in the same week, so I can maintain a regular sleep schedule, but otherwise, I am willing to work any shift. I do not have children or other personal commitments, so I can be flexible when needed."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
9. What injections have you performed to help relieve patients' chronic pain?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine which chronic pain injections the candidate has experience administering. There are many types of injections that an anesthesiologist assistant may need to administer to a chronic pain patient, such as epidural injections, facet injections, superficial injections, and trigger point injections. Not only is it important for the anesthesiologist assistant to be able to administer these injections, but it is also important for them to be able to make determinations as to which injections to administer. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should detail the types of injections they have experience administering.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Because I have over ten years of experience working in pain management clinics, I have performed a number of different types of injections, including epidurals, facet injections, trigger point injections, and superficial injections. When I am working with a chronic pain patient and medications are not effective, I assess the specific clinical manifestations of their pain to determine which injection is appropriate and will provide them with relief. Performing injections for pain management is something I am very comfortable with, and I will be comfortable doing so at your organization as well."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Since I have limited experience working in pain management clinics, my experience with pain management injections is also limited. However, in my clinical training, I administered epidurals for pain management and I also administered trigger point and superficial injections. While it has been a few years since I have administered injections to chronic pain patients, I am comfortable with doing so, and this also something that I enjoy."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
10. Do you have experience working with chronic pain patients? If so, please describe.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the candidate has experience working as an anesthesiologist assistant outside of the operating room. Many times, an anesthesiologist assistant will have responsibilities beyond the operating room and will be required to assist in pain clinics. If the candidate will be responsible for assisting with managing chronic pain patients, it is important that they have experience in such clinical settings. In order to successfully answer this question, the candidate should explain the experience they have in working with chronic pain patients and the settings in which they have worked.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"In addition to assisting with surgical patients in the operating room, I have over ten years of experience working with chronic pain patients in a pain clinic. My current position requires me to work in both the OR and in the pain clinic, so I am well-experienced in both environments. In the pain management clinic, I work with patients to get them on a pain management plan, which can include interventions such as epidurals, nerve stimulation, and medication therapies."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Because I am a relatively new anesthesiologist assistant and have only been working in the field for a couple of years, my experience with chronic pain patients is limited to the time I spent working in pain clinics during my clinical rotations and assisting with pain management during the post-op period. However, the time I have spent with chronic pain patients has been very enjoyable, and pain management is something I would like to spend more time in. If given the opportunity to work more with chronic pain patients, I will do everything I can to ensure I get myself up to speed with the current practices by participating in continuing medical education programs."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
11. How do you interpret arterial blood gas?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's ability to interpret arterial blood gas. Interpreting arterial blood gas can be difficult and confusing which can lead to incorrect diagnosis. There are many ways that a candidate can successfully answer this question, including speaking about the references they keep on hand to help them interpret results, or they can even speak to their clinical knowledge and expertise on the subject. A particularly strong answer to this question will include an example of when the candidate faced a difficult situation with an arterial blood gas result and was able to use their knowledge and expertise to interpret it.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"In my current anesthesiology assistant role, I consistently have to interpret arterial blood gas, and unfortunately, it is never an easy task. Because of how difficult it is to interpret arterial blood gas sometimes, and the severe consequences of misinterpretation, I keep a quick guide in my pocket so I can reference it if needed. While I do not have to reference the quick guide each time I read an arterial blood gas, I find that having the quick guide is helpful, because if I am in a tight situation, I am able to quickly pull it out and make a confident decision by looking at the chart and determining the abnormal values."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I was recently in a situation where I was reading an arterial blood gas that was difficult to interpret, and I had to use my clinical knowledge to work through the situation. First, I had to determine if the pH was normal. Then, I had to examine the PaCO2, which helped me determine if the blood gasses in the patient were from their respiratory system or from their metabolic functions. After examining their PaCO2, I compared with the HCO3 to determine if the patient's atrial blood gasses were normal. It is a rather involved process, but by following the steps and being patient, I was able to work my way through it."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
12. Describe your experience administering general or local anesthesia.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine what experience the candidate has administering anesthesia to patients. There are several types of anesthesia, including general anesthesia, IV/monitored sedation, regional anesthesia, and local anesthesia. These types of anesthesia vary in strength and monitoring requirements after administration, with general anesthesia being the strongest of the four categories, and is used to put patients in an unconscious state during major operations and surgeries. The candidate can successfully answer this question by describing the experience they have administering anesthesia to patients and the types of anesthesia they have administered.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"For most of my career, I have worked in the labor and delivery floor at a hospital, so most of my anesthesia experience has been giving epidural injections. As you may know, administering epidurals involves injecting local anesthesia into the epidural space through a small catheter, and I do this to reduce pain during labor and delivery. While I perform this procedure multiple times each day, it is still important that I am careful and watchful in my practice, as although rare, there are potential side effects to this procedure, and if I do not perform them correctly, it could have dire consequences."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"While I have previous experience administering all types fo anesthesia, in my current position as an anesthesia assistant in the surgery department in a major academic medical center, I primarily administer general anesthesia to patients as they undergo major operations and surgeries. Because general anesthesia places patients in an unconscious state, after I administer the drug, I monitor heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and oxygen delivery at five-minute intervals until it is time to reverse the anesthesia. My job is not finished after I administer a dose of general anesthesia to my patients, and it is very important that I properly monitor them, to ensure their vital signs, heart, and lungs remain stable for the entire operation since patients under general anesthesia can be very vulnerable."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
13. In addition to collecting history, physical, and pre-op lab tests on a patient, what do you do to prepare for a procedure?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the initiative the candidate typically takes to prepare for a surgical procedure. In addition to preparing the patient for the procedure, it is the responsibility of the anesthesiologist assistant to ensure the operating or procedure room is prepared as well, meaning that a quality check should be conducted to ensure all necessary supplies are ready and available for the anesthesiologist or anesthesiologist assistant and that all anesthesia delivery and monitoring devices have been calibrated and are in proper working condition. It is very important that the anesthesiologist assistant take responsibility for these quality control checks, in order to ensure the safety of the patient during the procedure. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should detail the steps they take to prepare for a surgical procedure, outside of preparing a patient. A stronger answer to this question would include an example of when one of these quality checks led to a potential avoidance of a medical error.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Before a procedure begins, I always check the room to ensure the supplies I need for the procedure and any potential emergency situation are ready and available in the room. Also, I make sure that the dosing machines and monitors are calibrated and in working condition. I would rather take the extra time to conduct these quality checks than to run into an issue of not having necessary supplies or a device not working during a procedure, as I know that could potentially lead to a very bad outcome."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I never administer anesthesia before checking to ensure that all my supplies are available and my dosing machines and monitors are calibrated and in working condition. This is process is crucial to patient safety, and no matter what, I take the few minutes to go through these quality checks. A few months ago, I was preparing to assist with a trauma patient, and while the patient was in an emergent situation, I still conducted my quality checks and found that one of my dosing machines was not working properly. I was able to quickly replace the nonfunctional machine with one that worked and we were able to proceed with the operation. While the quality check delayed the procedure for a couple of minutes, it was potentially life-saving for the patient, as they would have received the incorrect dose of anesthesia otherwise."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
14. How many years of experience do you have as an anesthesiologist assistant?
How to Answer
This question is important to the interviewer as they want to assess the experience level of the candidate, as it relates to the role of anesthesiologist assistant. Depending on the type of facility the position is located in, and the complexity of procedures that the candidate will be assisting with, the required or preferred years of experience will vary. Information on required or preferred years of experience should be included in the position announcement, and the candidate should be aware of this figure prior to the interview. In order to successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide an honest answer and explain their experience only as it relates to providing care as an anesthesiologist assistant. In cases where the candidate is a new graduate or newly certified, it would be appropriate to use examples from their clinical training.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I set my goals on becoming an anesthesiologist assistant very early in life, which led me to obtain applicable education and training relatively early on. I have already been working as an anesthesiologist assistant for more than fifteen years, and it is truly my passion. I am looking forward to many more years in this career, including many successful years at your organization."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Becuase I just recently finished my AA program, my experience working as an actual anesthesiologist assistant is limited to the experiences I had in my clinical and academic training. While this training may seem limited, as it was supervised, I have worked in multiple settings and have assisted with multiple procedures. I am comfortable with administering local anesthesia, interpreting arterial blood gas, and initiating ACLS protocols in necessary situations. Through my training, I have learned to handle the stress and pressure of this career, and I am very excited to join your organization to gain my real-world position as an anesthesiologist assistant."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
15. What types of airway management interventions are you comfortable providing?
How to Answer
The ability to properly maintain a patient's airway is a crucial skill for an anesthesiologist, due to the potential adverse outcomes that can occur during anesthesia. If an anesthesiologist assistant is unable to properly use an airway management intervention, it could lead to a fatal outcome for the patient, and the interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's airway management skills. It is expected that the candidate is able to manage airways using tracheal intubation, fiber optics, or ventilary support. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should describe their comfort-level in using these three types of airway management interventions, and a stronger answer would include an example of how one of the interventions was successfully used.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I have extensive experience in airway management, as I have been working in the OR as an anesthesiologist assistant for many years. Most of my experience has been in tracheal intubation and ventilary support, but I do have experience with fiber optics as well. Since fiber optic intervention is much more complicated, and you must ensure oxygenation is maintained and the patient has to be vented until the airway is secured, I only use fiber optics in very specific situations."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I am comfortable with all airway management interventions used by anesthesiologist assistants, including tracheal intubation, ventilary support, and fiber optics. Since fiber optics is the more complicated intervention of the three, I sought additional training and attended additional skills labs to become more skilled at the procedure. Just last week, during a procedure in the OR, I had to use an airway management intervention, and because of the specificity of the patient's condition and procedure, I chose to use fiber optics, and I was successful in securing and maintaining the airway."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
16. What do you feel is the most important skill an anesthesiologist assistant should possess?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to learn more about the candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities, and what the candidate thinks is the most important element to being a successful anesthesiologist assistant. There is not one correct answer to this question, as there are many aspects of an anesthesiologist assistant that can make them successful, including but not limited to: technical skills, analytical skills, a strong moral compass, self-confidence, and the ability to work under pressure. The candidate can successfully answer this question by describing the skill they feel is most important for an anesthesiologist assistant should have and ensuring the interviewers that they possess this skill. A stronger answer will include an example of how the candidate successfully used the skill in their practice as an anesthesiologist assistant.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I feel that the most important skill an anesthesiologist assistant should possess is the ability to clearly give health care instructions. It is imperative that the patient and their family or caregivers understand instructions that impact their health and wellbeing; because if instructions are not delivered in a clear manner in which the patient and family can understand, the consequences can be dire. I take the responsibility of giving health care instructions very seriously, and before a patient is discharged, I always check to ensure the patient and/or family understands the care instructions that they are leaving with."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"To me, critical thinking skills are the most important skill for an anesthesiologist assistant to have. There are so many situations in this career that require you to think critically, and without the ability to do so, patient lives can be in danger. I was just in a situation earlier this week where I had to quickly engage my critical thinking skills when we were dealing with an unexpected emergency in the OR. Unfortunately, the patient's vital signs started dropping when the anesthesiologist had stepped out of the room to assist with another patient, and I was left to make key decisions for how to proceed with the patient. If I had waited for the anesthesiologist to return, the patient would have died; but, instead, I engaged my critical thinking skills and quickly determined what drugs the patient needed, and we were able to get their vitals stabilized."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
17. Why are you the best anesthesiologist assistant for us?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate feels about their qualifications, how well they would fit into their organization, and why they should hire them, versus another candidate. The interviewer is likely interviewing many candidates for the position, and they would like to understand why each candidate feels they are the best fit for the position. One can typically learn a lot about how a person feels about themselves if they directly ask them. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should focus on the unique skills that they possess as well as other achievements or professional accolades. The candidate should avoid comparing themselves to other candidates, as they are unaware of their skill sets and qualifications.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I am your best choice for this position because I am a well-rounded anesthesiologist assistant with a lot to offer. I am passionate about my work and am deeply committed to my patients. Being bi-lingual in both English and Spanish has given me an advantage in my career because I can clearly communicate with patients and families, and I know this will be an asset for you, with the patients your facility serves. With my many years of experience, the wide-range of facilities I have worked in, and my bi-lingual language skills, I think I will bring a lot to your team."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"While I am committed to providing exceptional care to my patients, I am also committed to continuing education and ensuring that I am staying abreast of the newest and most innovative practices in anesthesiologist assisting. I think this is what makes me the best choice to join your team. I have attended many additional courses over the years to improve my knowledge and skills in my field, and when I take these courses, I do not simply keep the information to myself. After I finish a course, I bring the information back to my team and work with them to figure out how we can integrate the best practice information into our workflows. Through these additional educational courses, I have been able to improve the way we practice at my facility, and I will continue to do this if I have the opportunity to join your team."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
18. Do you have experience training other professionals on anesthesia practices? If so, tell us about your experiences.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine how much experience the candidate has in training other professionals on anesthesia practices. This skill is important because anesthesiology divisions in hospitals and medical facilities often rely on anesthesiologist assistants to train surgical support staff members on general anesthesia practices. In order to deliver training, an anesthesiologist assistant not only has to have the knowledge in which to deliver to the other professionals but also needs to understand how to effectively deliver training and education. Otherwise, educational efforts would be unsuccessful. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide specific examples of how they provided education on anesthesia practices to other professionals. If the candidate has never taught others on anesthesia practices, this question can be answered by using another example of when the candidate successfully presented information on a topic to a group of colleagues.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"In my current position as an anesthesiologist assistant, at a large academic medical center, I am lead for clinical education, so I have extensive experience in this area. I organize and develop a quarterly training program for newly hired employees who join the surgical team, including physician surgeons, nurses, and surgical techs. Anytime there is new anesthesia guidance or new monitoring systems we use, I am always sure to educate the surgical team in addition to the anesthesiology staff, to be sure they are aware of our practices and procedures."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I don't have experience providing formal education on anesthesiology practices to my surgical colleagues, or any of my colleagues for that matter, but I do have experience developing education and training programs. While I was pursuing my master's degree, I had an assistantship that required me to teach college-level courses. While I did not teach any anesthesia-related courses, since I was enrolled in these courses, I taught undergraduate-level science courses. I feel like this experience applies, as I was responsible for developing my own curriculum and delivering content to my students, and I feel comfortable with applying this experience to develop anesthesia education programs for my colleagues."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
19. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
How to Answer
Because anesthesiologist assistants often have to work in teams with other colleagues and with patients and their families, conflict often arises in the workplace. The interviewer is asking this question to determine how the candidate handles conflict between co-workers, patients, and/or families. The ability of an anesthesiologist assistant to effectively manage conflict in the workplace is an essential function of position. To effectively answer this question, the candidate should avoid venting or complaining about current or previous workplace culture or conflicts. Instead, the candidate should describe how they would take accountability during a conflict, whether or not they perceived being at fault for the conflict or not. The candidate can provide a stronger answer to this question by giving a concrete example of how they professionally resolved a workplace conflict in the past.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Since the job of anesthesiologist assistant is is very team-based, it is common to run into conflicts in the workplace, and I have found myself in the midst of many workplace conflicts over the years. However, I am not the type of person who enjoys working in an environment that is riddled with conflict and dramatics, especially when there are patients to take care of, because I do not want the focus to be taken away from the patient. If I find myself in the middle of a conflict, even if a co-worker is being passive, I feel that it is best to address it head-on, with professionalism. Using open communication and a good attitude, I am typically able to work with my coworkers to resolve conflicts before they turn into larger issues."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"This question is actually very timely, as I recently dealt with a workplace conflict with one of my colleagues. Last week, one of my fellow anesthesiologist assistants did not show up on time for her shift, so I had to stay late to cover for her and was pulled into a complex procedure in the meantime. Because of this, I missed my daughter's first dance recital. The next day, my colleague did not mention my staying to cover for her, even though she was aware that I was upset that I missed my daughter's recital. When I approached her about her actions and told her how it impacted my day, she did not give me the response I wanted; however, rather than allowing it to cause additional anger and workplace conflict, I let it go after I had spoken my peace. I decided that I cannot change the actions of others, but I can take responsibility for myself and my own actions, so I decided to do the right thing and let it go."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
20. Do you prefer working alone or working on a team?
How to Answer
This is a very important question for an interviewer to ask during an interview for an anesthesiologist assistant. Anesthesiologist assistants often work with small teams while administering patient care, and team members can include anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, surgeons or specialty physicians, nursing staff, and surgical techs. It is important for the candidate to indicate that they work well in teams, as teamwork is key to being successful in their career. The candidate can provide a stronger answer to this question by providing an example of how they have worked well in a team in the past, or how they have led a team to success.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I very much prefer working within a team, which works out great for me, since I am an anesthesiologist assistant. I am currently employed at a surgical center, where I monitor patients during their surgery or procedure on behalf of the anesthesiologist. In this role, it is crucial that I work effectively in a team, as I first must work with the anesthesiologists in communicating the patient history and physical information and understanding the medications they are administering. Then, during the procedure, as I monitor the patient, I must work with the other professionals in the room, including the surgeons, nurses, and surgical techs, to ensure the patient is properly cared for. To me, ensuring I am being a team player is one of my primary responsibilities, as it is essential to caring for the patient."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I prefer to work within teams, and I actually thrive in a team environment. In any anesthesiologist assistant job, you have to be a team player, but I have known some people in my career who have been resistant to working in teams. One of my colleagues, who is not particularly a team player, and I were both assisting on a complicated case once, and from the beginning of the process, when we were collecting history and physical and running pre-operative tests, she was not communicating or working with the team. I was feeling uncomfortable with the lack of communication going into the procedure, so before we went into the OR, I pulled her aside and reiterated that we were a team and needed to properly communicate, for the safety and benefit of the patient. After I did this, she was much more forthcoming and communicated openly with everyone during the procedure, and everything ran much more smoothly and ended with a good outcome for the patient."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
21. Tell me about a patient situation where you were unsure of how to proceed. How did you manage and resolve the situation?
How to Answer
While anesthesiologist assistants work under the authority of physician anesthesiologists, they are expected to monitor patients, administer medication and anesthesia, and intervene in emergency situations. It is important that the candidate be able to quickly think and make decisions while providing patient care, but there will always be times when the candidate is faced with situations where they are unsure of what actions to take. The interviewer is asking this question to determine
how the candidate responds in such situations. When unsure of how to proceed, an anesthesiologist assistant can either refer to a point-of-care reference product, such as an app that allows clinicians to search evidence-based guidelines, consult directly with their physician preceptor, or consult with another licensed clinician who is on staff. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide a specific example of a time when they had to either conduct research or consult with another clinician to determine how to best care for a patient.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"I just dealt with this type of situation a few weeks ago while I was assisting with an operation. I, unfortunately, was faced with a situation that could have potentially been life-threatening for the patient, had I not intervened; however, while I knew I needed to take action, I wasn't sure of the correct medication and dosing the patient needed. Instead of guessing or simply not taking action at all, I accessed a clinical pathways application that I have on my phone, and I was able to make a decision based on current clinical evidence and published guidelines."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"Being unsure of how to proceed isn't an uncommon situation for me; it's not because I am not a knowledgable anesthesiologist assistant, but its because I am typically assisting with very atypical and complex cases at the large academic medical center in which I am employed. A few weeks ago, I was in the OR assisting with a trauma patient, and when the patient began experiencing cardiac distress, I initiated proper protocol. However, after I had exhausted all my options, the patient continued to decline. Instead of making assumptions for how to proceed, I immediately called for the lead physician anesthesiologist who was working that day, and as soon as she assessed the situation, she was able to intervene and stabilize the patient."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
22. What was your greatest accomplishment as an anesthesiologist assistant?
How to Answer
All individuals have had accomplishments in their careers, and it is important to be able to share the details of those during interviews for new positions. Being able to face a challenge or difficult situation in the workplace and end up with a successful outcome is very satisfying, and it can demonstrate to an interviewer how the candidate will handle and overcome such challenges in the future. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide a specific example of a challenge they faced in the past and the steps they took to overcome it. Any accomplishment that led to a new process, significant standardized change, or a promotion for the candidate would be a very strong answer to this question.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"When I first started my current position, I was surprised to find a lack of documentation and procedures for some important processes for the anesthesiologist assistants. While the required documentation and procedures to satisfy regulatory and licensing requirements were in place, others were not, and there was a bit of chaos within the AA team because of it. Because I felt so strongly about these procedures, which were so helpful at prior facilities in which I worked, I began working with the quality nurse to spearhead the development and implementation of these procedures. Although there was some resistance at first, once everyone started following the procedures, the department started running much more smoothly. And actually, because of the initiative I took on making the changes, I received a promotion to AA supervisor."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"My biggest accomplishment, so far in my career, has been completing my Master's Degree while still working full time. This was a significant challenge for me, as it took a significant amount of hard work, dedication, and time management. There were times that I felt extremely exhausted and wanted to take a break from school, but I knew that earning the degree would help me advance in my career. Not only was my biggest accomplishment been earning this degree, but I feel like it was also an accomplishment that I did not let school interfere with my job, nor did I take any breaks from school due to busy times at work. Instead, I stayed motivated and pushed through and was successful at both."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
23. How do you handle stress and pressure as it relates to your job as an anesthesiologist assistant?
How to Answer
An anesthesiology assistant's job can be very stressful at times, as they are responsible for monitoring patients during surgical procedures and responding if something goes awry. An anesthesiologist assistant's ability to calmly and effectively deal with high-stress situations is key to them being successful in their roles, and many times, the key to ensuring positive patient outcomes. The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the candidate understands the amount of pressure they are under in their position as an anesthesiology assistant, and how well they respond to such pressure and stress. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should articulate that they are aware of the stress and pressure and indicate how they manage their stress. A high-level answer to this question would include a specific example of how the candidate managed their stress in a stressful situation.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"When I was choosing the career of anesthesiologist assistant, I knew it was a stressful job; however, it wasn't until I was actually practicing that I learned how stressful it can be sometimes. From receiving criticisms from physicians and families to dealing with emergencies in the OR, it is a career with a lot of pressure and stress. In order to keep myself centered on the most stressful of days, I try my best to be mindful and focus on the situation in front of me, whether it be a patient who is in pre-op, a family who I am speaking with, a patient I am monitoring, or a crisis I must respond to. In order to be mindful, I must not focus on what has happened or what might happen, but give all my attention to the task at hand."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"This is a great question because the career anesthesiologist assistant is a stressful one, where you are consistently working under a consistent amount of pressure. I find myself under the most stress when I am faced with an emergency or crisis in the OR. Even though I have been working as an anesthesiologist assistant for a number of years, there is a split second, as soon as a crisis arises in the OR, where I feel overwhelmed with stress. However, in these situations, I am able to center myself, focus, and respond to the situation as needed. In these stressful situations, it is easy to succumb to the pressure, but for me, I quickly tell myself that I am equipped to handle the situation, and I calmly follow the steps that need to be taken to respond."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
24. How do you approach a difficult patient or family member?
How to Answer
Anesthesiologist assistants often interface with patients and families, as they can be responsible for tasks such as gathering pre-anesthesia health histories and performing physical examinations. It is not uncommon for patients and family members to already be frustrated with the care they have received up to this point, and they sometimes will complain to the anesthesiologist assistant or anyone who will listen. Because it is everyone's job to ensure the patient has a positive experience it is important that patient and family concerns are not ignored, and they are heard by the anesthesiologist assistant. To successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide an example of how they have successfully dealt with a difficult patient in the past to help resolve the situation.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"In my career as an anesthesiologist assistant, I have dealt with many upset patients and family members. Many of my colleagues feel that it is not their responsibility to help the patients and their families when they are upset, but I feel, as part of the care team, I am just as responsible for helping them as anyone else. Just last week, I walked into a pre-op holding area to find an elderly patient and her daughter, who was extremely unhappy. Because I could tell the daughter was unhappy, just after I introduced myself, I asked if there was anything I could do to help them, and it turned out, the daughter had asked for another warm blanket for her mother multiple times, but had not received one. So, I simply went and got the blanket for her, to resolve the situation right then and there. After her mother was warm, I was able to proceed with my history and physical without further incident."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I have dealt with many difficult patients and family members in my career as an anesthesiologist assistant; and, to be honest, the situation has to get really bad before it starts to bother me. I have empathy for these people, and I know they are stressed and their emotions are running high as they or their family members are preparing for surgery. So, I try my best to offer kindness to help these people feel more comfortable. Just yesterday, I went into a room to conduct a history and physical on an elderly cardiac patient, and he was especially unhappy. However, by using kindness and compassion, I was able to help the gentleman relax, and before I left the room, he was much more relaxed and was even smiling."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
25. Are you a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant?
How to Answer
While all anesthesiologist assistants must complete rigorous education programs, not all of them are Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CCAs). Licensure for CCAs is handled by each state and is regulated by each board of medicine. A CCA licensure allows an anesthesiologist assistant to practice more autonomously. Alternatively, for anesthesiologist assistants who are not certified, they must work under a physician anesthesiologist, using delegatory authority. Under delegatory authority, the anesthesiologist assistant is permitted to administer patient care, but the physician remains accountable for the patient but tasks are delegated to the assistant. By asking this question, the interviewer is attempting to determine how the candidate would fit into their personnel structure and to successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide an honest answer about their certification status, and if they are not certified, whether or not they plan on becoming certified in the future.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"Yes, I am a Certified Anesthesiologist Assitant. I set a goal early in my career to become a CAA, and while it was a lot of hard work, it was very worth it. Because I am a CAA, I am able to do more things on my own Compared to my colleagues who are not certified, and I am able to make clinical decisions using my own knowledge rather than having to depend on a physician. Because my certification is recognized by the state board of medicine, I get to work much more independently, which is something I enjoy."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I am not currently a Certified Anesthesiology Assitant. I took the exam once, and unfortunately, I did not pass; but I am taking more time to study and prepare and will take it again next year. Becoming a CAA is extremely important to me, and I will not give up until I earn my certification, but until then, I will have to work under delegated authority."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 17th, 2019