About the Program
Michener’s Anesthesia Assistant program teaches students how to evaluate the pre, peri and postoperative patient, how to perform procedural sedation and how to manage special anesthetic considerations. The program is delivered over three (3) semesters:
Students begin to acquire the technical expertise, knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to become a valuable member of the anesthesia care team. The first semester consists of one comprehensive course and includes a 5-day residency at the end of the course work.
One comprehensive course is delivered online and in the simulation lab. Learners are required to be available online one day per week for 14 weeks to present their case studies and participate in discussions and scenario re-enactments which occur in the simulation centre. The semester includes two 5-day residential weeks.
Students will complete a minimum of 12-week clinical rotation, including an elective rotation external to the assigned base site, within a six (6) month period. Competencies and rotations include adult, pediatric, obstetrical, regional and cardiac anesthesia at the designated base clinical site.
- Should the base site be unable to offer all rotations, Michener will arrange for external rotations in these areas, which are up to two weeks in length
- All students will complete at least one external rotation
The Anesthesia Assistant program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CRST). Accreditation is a quality improvement process that ensures educational programs meet national standards and that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies for safe and effective care at entry to practice.
About the Profession
Anesthesia Assistants or Anesthesiologist Assistants (AA) are specially trained Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) or Critical Care Registered Nurses (RN) that participate in the care of the stable surgical patient during general, regional, or conscious sedation anesthesia.
Anesthesia Assistants (AA) are mid-level anesthesia providers and a valuable member of the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) who works under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist and under the authority of medical directives. Most AAs work in the operating rooms of a hospital, but they can also be found in post-operative care areas, pain clinics and special procedure rooms.
Duties of an anesthesia assistant include performing activities such as the provision of conscious sedation, administration of anesthetic gases and medications, insertion of hemodynamic monitors and assessment of depth of anesthesia, monitoring a patient’s hemodynamic status, blood, fluid and pharmacological therapy, providing technical support to the anesthesiologist for complex anesthesia equipment, and providing airway management.
Every week we participate in online discussions with experienced, practicing Anesthesiologists. This high-quality, personalized education has allowed me to gain a strong foundation for my future career.
Peter K., Anesthesia Assistant Student
Key Dates for Part-Time Programs (2025/26)
- Applications Open: February 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
- Supporting Document Deadline: June 7, 2026
- First Round of Offers Released: July 2026
- Full-Time Provisional Offer or Admission Deadline: July 15, 2026
- Application Evaluation Period: February – June 2026
- Application Acknowledgement Emails (Sent Weekly): Mid-March – May 31, 2026
- Active Waitlist for Qualified Applicants: June – September 2026
Costs
Anesthesia Assistant (Part-Time Programs) - Domestic Tuition & Mandatory Fees
| Year of Study | Semester | Tuition ($) | Student Fees ($) | Total Fees ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Fall* | 5,665.47 | 336.22 | 6,001.69 |
| Year 1 | Winter | 5,665.47 | 101.09 | 5,766.56 |
| Year 1 | Summer | 5,665.47 | 101.09 | 5,766.56 |
*Footnote: *The non-refundable deposit will be applied to the total Fall tuition fees for incoming Year 1
Anesthesia Assistant (Part-Time Programs) - International Tuition & Mandatory Fees
| Year of Study | Semester | Tuition ($) | Student Fees ($) | Total Fees ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Fall* | 16,996.41 | 676.15 | 17,672.56 |
| Year 1 | Winter | 16,996.41 | 101.09 | 17,097.50 |
| Year 1 | Summer | 16,996.41 | 101.09 | 17,097.50 |
*Footnote: *The non-refundable deposit will be applied to the total Fall tuition fees for incoming Year 1
Students Fees 2026-27 — Domestic and International Students
Students Fees 2026-27 - Domestic and International Students
| Fee Items | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 or Clinical | Part-Time Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alumni | 35.01 | 35.01 | 35.01 | 7.00 |
| Digital Media Fee | 335.09 | 335.09 | 180.95 | 44.90 |
| Graduation | 59.90 | – | – | 17.30 |
| Handbook | 11.14 | 11.14 | 11.14 | 11.15 |
| Health / Counseling Services* | 140.04 | 140.04 | 140.04 | 21.00 |
| Identification Card | 16.71 | – | – | 16.71 |
| Locker | 10.50 | 10.50 | – | – |
| LRC printing | 20.00 | – | – | 21.00 |
| Orientation | 95.29 | – | – | – |
| Student Success Network Fee | 102.49 | 102.49 | 50.13 | 50.13 |
| Student Council – Athletics* | 40.85 | 40.85 | 40.85 | 27.43 |
| Student Council – Operating | 38.99 | 38.99 | 38.99 | 19.50 |
| Student Enrolment Fee | 50.13 | 50.13 | 50.13 | 11.13 |
| Technology Fee* | 208.30 | 208.30 | 208.30 | 122.19 |
| Subtotal: | 1164.44 | 972.54 | 755.54 | 368.44 |
External Fees — 2025/26
External Fee Items — Domestic Students
External Fees — 2025/26 External FeeItems - Domestic Students
| Fee Items | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 or Clinical | Part-Time Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mask Fitting | 68.25 | – | – | – |
| Student Health & Dental Insurance | 334.95 | 334.95 | 334.95 | – |
| Student Bursary Levy | 17.33 | 17.33 | 17.33 | – |
| Total: | 1,584.97 | 1,324.82 | 1,107.82 | 368.44 |
External Fee Items — International Students
External Fees — 2025/26 External FeeItems - International Students
| Fee Items | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 or Clinical | Part-Time Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Health Insurance | 1,234.95 | 1,234.95 | 1,234.95 | – |
| Mask Fitting | 68.25 | – | – | – |
| International Support and Advising | 500.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 | – |
| Total: | 2,967.64 | 2,707.49 | 2,490.49 | – |
Find the list of Required and Recommended Textbooks through Michener’s Learning Resource Collaboratory (LRC).
Every year, Michener offers scholarships and named bursary awards to students. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, general and discipline-specific scholarships and awards have been established to provide Michener’s full-time programs with financial aid.
This program is not eligible for OSAP funding.
Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents by June 6, 2026:
- Proof of registration with CRTO or CNO
- Accepted forms of proof: recent receipt, a screenshot of licensure portal, a letter from licensing body indicating licensure, etc.
- Current resume describing background and experience
- Resume must indicate 2 years or full-time equivalent (>4000 hours)* of critical care experience within the past 4 years, which must include experience with therapeutic interventions related to airway management, mechanical ventilation, arterial or intravenous access, reading ECGs, providing pharmacological therapies, and managing hemodynamic status, ideally in the ICU, ER, NICU, or PICU environments.
*Accrual of critical care experience begins after the applicant is licensed. Experience does not include any in-class clinical hours
A letter from your Chief of Anesthesia supporting return to home base site for clinical education. Please note that all students are required to complete a minimum two-week elective rotation external to the assigned base site
Where to submit documents:
All supporting documents must be submitted to ask-us@ontariocolleges.ca or admissions@michener.ca.
Additional Requirements
- Students must have access to anesthesia equipment (anesthesia gas machines, ICU ventilators and monitors) throughout the course
- Students must have access to a computer that meets the minimum system requirements, access to the Internet and an e-mail account
- Computer literacy is highly recommended
Post Admission Requirements
Once students have accepted their offer of admission, they will need to meet the following post-admission requirements by the deadline indicated in the offer letter:
Health requirements are mandatory for all Michener students. Make sure to start the process of obtaining your health requirements immediately upon accepting your offer of admission to ensure that you meet the deadlines. This process will involve multiple visits to your physician/healthcare provider.
Students are responsible for costs incurred. More information is available on the Health Requirements page. Health Requirement documents are uploaded through the Michener Self-Service Portal. Contact the Health Services Department at healthservices@michener.ca for questions.
All students who accept an offer of admission into a Michener program must submit proof of a Vulnerable Sector Check, conducted at their expense. Completed Vulnerable Sector Checks are uploaded to the Michener Self-Service Portal. Failure to do so may result in a revocation of admission or restriction on clinical activities.
Students must attend respiratory protection training and be mask-fit tested prior to attending their clinical placement. Students must also comply with their clinical site’s respiratory protection policies. Visit the Mask Fit Testing page for more information.
In addition to offences disclosed under the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), accepted applicants are required to disclose if they have been charged with (where charges are still outstanding or unresolved) or convicted of an offense under any other Federal statute or international law (other offenses) and to disclose if they have been charged (where charges are still outstanding and unresolved) or have been disciplined by any professional body or association.
Accepted applicants will agree to complete annual mandatory training requirements including Cybersecurity Training and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training program during the first week of classes.
Accepted applicants will agree to participate in learning activities that will include practicing real and/or simulated learning activities, which at times may involve fellow classmates, volunteers and/or other individuals under the supervision of qualified program faculty. Accepted applicants will also agree to act as a simulated patient for other students. These activities may also be evaluated to determine competence acquisition and may be recorded (audio/video).
Accepted applicants will attest that they have read and understand relevant policies with particular attention to Michener’s policies in the following areas:
- Clinical Placement
- At the point of accepting an offer of admission, students agree to attend any placement site that is assigned to them knowing that sites may be located anywhere in Ontario and for some programs across Canada
- Community Right and Responsibilities
- Michener is committed to the establishment of an atmosphere of respect and civility and appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of all those associated with Michener
- Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
- All Michener students are required to be in compliance with the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy with proof of full vaccination
How to Apply: Checklist
- Length: 12-week clinical rotation
Clinical Education
Students will complete a minimum of 12-week clinical rotation, including an elective rotation external to the assigned base site, within a six (6) month period. Competencies and rotations include adult, pediatric, obstetrical, regional and cardiac anesthesia at the designated base clinical site.
- Should the base site be unable to offer all rotations, Michener will arrange for external rotations in these areas, which are up to two weeks in length
- All students will complete at least one external rotation
The Anesthesia Assistant program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CRST). Accreditation is a quality improvement process that ensures educational programs meet national standards and that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies for safe and effective care at entry to practice.
