What Is GI Anesthesia?
GI anesthesia involves providing sedation/anesthesia for gastrointestinal procedures, primarily colonoscopies and upper endoscopies (EGDs).
Typical GI Practice
Case Types
| Procedure | Frequency | Typical Duration |
|---|
| Colonoscopy | 60% | 20-40 min |
| EGD | 25% | 10-20 min |
| Combined EGD/Colo | 10% | 30-50 min |
| ERCP | 5% | 45-90 min |
Daily Volume
| Setting | Cases/Day | Hours |
|---|
| High-volume center | 15-25 | 8-10 |
| Moderate volume | 10-15 | 7-8 |
| Hospital-based | 8-12 | Variable |
Compensation
Salary Ranges
| Setting | Salary Range |
|---|
| Freestanding GI center | $195,000 - $230,000 |
| Hospital outpatient | $200,000 - $225,000 |
| Multi-specialty ASC | $190,000 - $220,000 |
Per Case Rates
| Arrangement | Per Case Rate |
|---|
| **Per case contract** | $100-175/case |
| **Hourly** | $100-150/hour |
Lifestyle Benefits
What Makes GI Attractive
✅ No call — Scheduled hours only
✅ Predictable schedule — Same time daily
✅ Minimal emergencies — Elective procedures
✅ Short cases — Fast turnover
✅ Low complexity — Generally healthy patients
✅ Weekends off — Most centers closed
Typical Schedule
| Day | Hours |
|---|
| Monday-Friday | 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM typical |
| Weekends | Off |
| Holidays | Off (most centers closed) |
Skills Required
Core Competencies
- Propofol dosing and management
- Airway assessment and management
- Patient positioning (lateral)
- MAC anesthesia expertise
- Rapid patient assessment
What You Won't Use
❌ Regional anesthesia
❌ Complex airway techniques
❌ Hemodynamic management
❌ Pediatric anesthesia
❌ Major surgical anesthesia
Career Considerations
Pros of GI Practice
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|
| Lifestyle | Excellent work-life balance |
| Stress | Lower than OR |
| Predictability | Know your schedule |
| Volume | High case numbers |
Cons of GI Practice
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|
| Skills atrophy | Complex skills unused |
| Repetition | Same cases daily |
| Limited growth | Ceiling on variety |
| Return difficulty | Harder to go back to OR |
Is GI Practice Right for You?
Good Fit
- CRNAs prioritizing lifestyle
- Experienced practitioners
- Those approaching retirement
- Parents with childcare needs
- Burnout recovery
Less Ideal
- New graduates (skills limitation)
- Those wanting variety
- CRNAs building career
- Those interested in subspecialties
Finding GI Positions
Search Strategies
- Contact GI physician groups directly — Often hire directly
- Target national GI chains — U.S. Digestive Health, Gastro Health
- Search "endoscopy center" + CRNA — Captures listings
- Network with GI nurses — Referral opportunities
Conclusion
GI anesthesia offers CRNAs exceptional work-life balance with competitive compensation. The trade-off is limited scope and skill maintenance concerns. For experienced CRNAs prioritizing lifestyle over career development, GI practice represents an attractive option with growing demand.
Practice information from Anesearch, January 2025.