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Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Week 2018 Toolkit Recognizing the contributions of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants to perioperative

patient care.

National Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants week is finally here! CAA week focuses on promoting, recognizing and illustrating the importance of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants by showcasing the impact CAAs have on their patients, their community and the profession overall. CAAs are a critical part of the Anesthesia Care Team who provide specialized knowledge, skillful expertise and high quality patient care techniques to ensure the wellbeing of every patient.

To promote, advocate and contribute to CAA week, the resources in this toolkit include:

• Graphics and banners to use on all social media platforms, websites and profiles. These graphics are made to alert and inform CAA followers, advocates and members in the community. Distributing these graphics through digital media and communicative outlets will reach a greater audience, while also building the traditional following during CAA week.

• Promotional posters to distribute throughout CAA workplaces. Keeping audience members and followers aware and educated on CAA week helps to further expand knowledge on this profession and demonstrate the significance CAAs are to the Anesthesia Care Team.

• Ideas on the types of stories people want to hear. Sharing stories of personal experiences is something that always gains audience attention. Publishing a feature story on a personal accomplishment or a patient care relationship promotes genuine and true recognition.

• A news release showcasing this week. Providing supporters and community members with a useful tool, such as a news release, ensures understanding, awareness and promotion of CAA week.

• Social media content creation. The world of social media is an incredible platform for demonstrating CAA and SAA emphasis on quality patient care. Sharing and promoting CAA week on social media is one of the very best ways to encourage viewer interest and awareness. The great thing about social media is how timely and effective it is, especially during a week like this.

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Table of Contents

Promotional Content ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Graphics ………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….….. 4

Posters …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..…… 5

Feature Stories ……………………………………………………………………………………….………... 6

News Release ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…... 7

Social Media ………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………... 8

Content Creation Ideas ………….………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

Promote Anesthesiologist Care Team …………………………………………………………..…. 14

Share Your Stories …………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

Call to Actions …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

Visual Content …………………………………………………………………………………………….….. 17

Written Consent Form Template …………………………………………………………………….. 18

Respond, Repost and Hashtag ……………………………………………………………………….… 19

Fellow-to-Student Outreach ……………………..………………………………………………………………. 20

Student Outreach ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23

Incentives ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26

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PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

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Graphics These graphics can be imported onto your website and all social media platforms. Use these graphics as background images and as individual posts.

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Posters These posters can be downloaded and are printable. Hang them on the walls and doors of the facilities where you work. Make sure the posting of such information is allowed.

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Feature Stories A great way to raise awareness in your community is to provide information straight from the source. Writing a feature story of the satisfaction you receive in delivering quality patient care educates the public on the role CAAs play in overall patient safety. Send us some of your stories on how your profession makes a difference.

Here are some questions to consider:

• How do CAAs make a difference?

• What has been your most rewarding experience being part of an anesthesia care team?

• What kind of community outreach are you involved in?

• How have you connected with your patients?

• How does working with the Care Team help promote you as an individual?

• What are a few things you can tell the public about your profession that they might not know?

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News Release A news release is a short and compelling information narrative designed to target a specific audience or group of people. The goal is to pique the interest of a journalist or publication group, therefore making the journalist want to write about that topic.

This is a great tool to use during this important week of advocacy and awareness.

Linked here is a News Release explaining what CAA week is and the purpose behind it.

With this news release, you can:

• Send via e-mail (or Facebook direct message) to your local television news and radio stations

• Send via e-mail to your local newspaper

• Even though print media is slowly losing its appeal, your local newspaper can publish the release in a format that suits digital content, such as their website.

• Send via e-mail for internal facility publications such as employee newsletters, HR updates, daily reminders, weekly reminders, employee communication, bulletin boards (push pin and digital), and leave behinds on break room tables or locker rooms

• Share the release on your social media platforms

Download the News Release here.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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Social Media Today, the quickest and most effective way to promote advocacy and create awareness is through social media. Posting on multiple platforms raises the profile of CAA week and the profession, even if the content is relatively the same from platform to platform.

Below are instructions on how to post your content (per platform).

Facebook

Once logged into your account:

1. View your profile

2. Click in the dialogue box located under your background image that reads, “What’s on your mind?”

3. Type your caption in the box.

4. If you want to include a picture with your post, select the “Photo/Video” tab. This will allow you to upload the image you want.

5. In the dialogue box, there are other tabs you can select such as: location, tag a person and add a background color to your post.

6. Once you are happy with your post, click “Post.”

7. If you see something you like on another person’s or organization’s Facebook page, re-post it. To re-post, click the post you wish to repost and then select, “Share.”

8. From there, you have the option to “Share Now.” If you select this option, the post will be shared directly as it was posted to that page, onto your page. Then click, “Post.”

9. If you want to alter the post to add a comment of your own, select, “Share…”, add your comment, then click, “Post.”

Twitter

Once logged into your account:

1. Select the “Home” button on the top left of your screen

2. Click the dialogue box at the top of your screen that reads, “What’s happening?”

3. Type your caption in the box.

4. If you want to include a picture with your post, select the camera image. This will allow you to upload the image you want.

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5. In the dialogue box, there are other tabs you can select such as: adding a gif, adding a location and adding a poll.

6. Once you are happy with your post, click “Tweet.”

7. If you see something you like on another person’s Twitter page, Retweet it. To Retweet, click on this image at the bottom of the post:

8. You have the option to add a comment to the post in the dialogue box that appears. Once you are happy with the post, select, “Retweet.” This will now show on your Twitter page.

Tip: Twitter only permits up to 140 characters per post. If you post something on other platforms that you’d also like to share on Twitter, make sure you condense your message.

Can’t condense your message less than 140 characters? No problem! Create a link back to the platform (i.e. Facebook) you posted your original post in.

Here’s an example:

First, post your content on Facebook:

Then, condense your post to fit the character limit on Twitter. Link your tweet back to your original post on Facebook.

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Instagram

One logged into your account:

1. Select the middle button on the app that looks like this:

2. You will be directed to a screen that gives you options of where you want to import your pictures from. Select, “library”, “photo”, or “video.”

3. Once your image is selected, select the “next” option in the top right hand corner.

4. Choose a filter for your picture by scrolling to the right until you see an option you like. Then, press “next.”

5. Write your caption in the dialogue box at the top of the screen. You can also add your location or tag people.

6. Once you are happy with your post, select, “share” in the top right corner of the screen. This will now be posted to your time.

Snapchat

Once logged into your account:

1. Locate the circle button located at the bottom of your screen. Tap the button to take a photo and hold the button to take a video.

2. If you’d like to add a filter to your photo/video, swipe right until you find a filter you like. 3. To add the photo/video to your story, click the icon on the bottom left labeled, “Story.”

4. There are also other ways to enhance your content once your photo/video is taken. After

the photo/video is taken, notice the five icons on the right side of your screen. Here is what the icons stand for and how to use them:

• Text: Select this to add a caption to your post. You can also change the color of your text by scrolling through the colors that appear on the right of your screen.

• Pencil: Select this to change the brush size (and color) of your text. This feature is helpful if you’d rather handwrite a message using your fingertips opposed to writing your message via phone keyboard.

Tip: Your story is what will be shown to all your Snapchat Friends. If you’d only like certain people to see your photo/video, select the “Send To” option on the bottom right hand of your screen. From there, you can individually select the Snapchat friends you wish to send your photo/video to.

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• Sticker: Select this if you’d like to add an emoji to your message. An emoji can be downloaded to your phone keyboard by downloading the emoji app in the app store.

• Scissors: Select this if you’d like to create a sticker on your own, opposed to using an emoji. To do so, outline the object with your finger and then release.

• Timer: Select this to set a viewing duration time. You can select between 1 and 10 seconds per post. You can also select the infinity sign which lets your viewers view your post for 24 hours.

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CONTENT CREATION IDEAS

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Content Creation Ideas The content you create for your social media pages should be based on promoting CAA week and the profession itself. The goal of the posts is to get you noticed, heard, and appreciated by providing your followers information on what CAAs do and how you positively impact the community. You want to inform your audience on what you do and how it makes a difference.

Here are some tools to create your content.

Promote the Anesthesiologist Care Team

Share how you play a role working with this team to safely and correctly provide for patients. Express the benefit of CAAs because of your knowledge and expertise is highly specialized.

• Your knowledge and experience helps provide patients with high quality anesthesia and perioperative care.

• Having such specialized knowledge in this industry makes you stand out. • Because of this specialization, you play key role in the Anesthesia Care Team.

Elaborate on the important part you play in patient care.

• Remember, everyone loves a “feel good” story, especially about a patient.

• Your audience always wants to hear how you’ve made a difference by connecting with a patient (did you form a relationship with them?) by making sure they were taken care of in the best ways possible, due to your techniques.

• You and your Care Team are held accountable for the well-being of each patient throughout the entire course of their surgery. Explain how you deliver great and effective patient care.

Provide details on how the work you do can/does change daily.

• Each case is different, and it’s up to you to adapt and familiarize yourself each time you are assigned a new patient.

• Discuss the possible challenges you’ve faced on a day-to-day (or even, case-to-case) basis and how you successfully overcame them.

• There is nothing wrong with talking about obstacles you face in your profession. We all face obstacles, it’s what makes us human. This helps the public relate to us more.

• What matters though, is how you effectively overcome these challenges and potential setbacks. This is something your followers will want to see you share.

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Share your stories

Your feature stories (it’s always great to have more than one!) really showcase your talent, along with explaining the importance of your specific roles and duties.

Share your stories on your Facebook or Twitter pages for your audience to learn a little more about you.

Here are some captions you can use to promote your stories:

• “Anyone looking for a quick and compelling read? Check out my story on how I became a CAA. Click the link below to read about my journey!”

• “I love getting to know my patients. They always make my job worth it! Read my story below on how I formed such a great friendship with a patient I treated (Do not mention patient’s name).”

• “Being a CAA is so rewarding! I love applying my knowledge to each and every patient I assist. Read my story below on how my specific knowledge has led me to where I am today.”

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Incorporate “call to actions” in your posts

A call to action (CTA) instructs your audience, provoking an immediate response. In the instance of providing knowledge and advocacy during CAA week, your CTA is a simple request for your followers to view whatever you might have posted, created, and written about.

A simple CTA gives your viewer that extra ‘push’ to engage in your content. It also helps to incorporate small details in CTAs to help get viewer attention. Be mindful to monitor all social media activity to delete any responses which challenge or deny your training or expertise.

Here are some details you can incorporate in your CTAs.

• Increasing the font size

• Changing the font color (red, blue, or green)

• Adding emoticons (or even a simple smiley face 😊😊) before or after your CTA

Simple CTAs are mentioned in the ‘example feature captions’ above, but here are a few more when posting on social media:

• “Click the link below to see my organizations website.”

• “Click here to read more about my story.”

• “Follow me on Twitter for real-time updates as I post them this week.”

• “Comment below and tell me what you think.”

• “Want to know more? Reply back and I’ll make sure to answer your questions!”

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Provide visual content

A follower or reader will be more inclined to read your post or tweet if you have a picture to go along with it. Your audience wants to literally see what you’re sharing with them. A picture also makes your post a little more interesting!

Don’t stress too much about getting the “perfect” picture for your following or community. The picture can be of anything related to your post.

Here are some ideas of pictures you can take and upload to your written content on social media and in your feature stories.

• You in your scrubs/with coworkers

• The hospital or facility where you work

• This can even be a sign with the hospital name on it!

• A “throwback” of your residency

• Meetings you’ve led at your institution

• Conferences you’ve attended

• Events you’ve been to with elected officials

• You serving your community

• Any graphics given to you in this toolkit

• Graphics that bring attention to CAAs providing patient care

• You with a patient (pre-surgical or post recovery)

IMPORTANT:

Please make sure any patient photos you post, the patient gives you full written consent to use them.

A written consent form is provided on page 18.

Check with your supervisors to assure that the facility or practice group allows the publication of patient photos.

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Written Consent Form Due to patient privacy regulations, this consent form must be filled out and signed by the patient in order for you to use their picture or information.

Download the printable consent form to present to your patient.

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Respond and Repost

A great way to advocate during CAA week is to be responsive in not just your personal content, but other related content as well. This shows your interest in the content you are posting.

If someone comments on your post, feature story or picture, respond back to them or “like” their post.

If you come across articles on CAA advocacy, share them on your Facebook and Twitter pages. If you think they are good reads, chances are, others will too.

• Instructions on how to repost are listed at the beginning of the social media category.

Incorporate hashtags

Although hashtags might sometimes seem a bit quirky or meaningless, they tend to be quite useful. Using hashtags makes is easier for audience and group members alike to find your specific message, theme, or content.

You can get as creative as you choose when creating a hashtag. It’s up to you what message you want to convey through a hashtag.

Here are hashtags you can use on all social media accounts during CAA week:

• #CAAcareteam2018

• #CAAcareteamweek

• #CAAappreciation

• #CAAweek2018

• #CAAadvocacy

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FELLOW-TO-STUDENT OUTREACH

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Fellow-To-Student Outreach Fellows: Another effective way to advocate and deliver awareness this week is by connecting with student CAAs. After all, as professionals in this field, student CAAs rely on you to guide and provide them with first-hand experience and knowledge to help them succeed.

Connecting with student CAAs is also another great way to show involvement in your community. The more involvement you show, the more your audience will see!

Here are some ideas on how to partake in student outreach.

Social Media

Reaching out via social media is a very effective way to connect with students because this is most likely their primary means of communication.

Here are some social media platforms you can use to connect with student CAAs.

LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great tool to use for this exact purpose. Here are instructions on how to engage in student interaction on LinkedIn.

• Once logged into your account:

1. Click inside the search box at the top of the page.

2. Type in the medical school you graduated from.

3. Your schools page will appear and from there, you can search within to see how many students are connected to this group.

4. To see the members, click “see all employees.”

5. It’s also great to click, “follow” so that you can receive any updates the school posts and see what current members are posting on the page.

• Just by “following” your school’s group on LinkedIn exposes you to current students who are in the same program you once were. Expect them to reach out to you!

Facebook. Connecting with student CAAs is another great tool and easy to do on Facebook. This is essentially the same thing as “adding a person” on Facebook except in this instance, you’re “adding a group.” Here are instructions how.

• Once logged into your account:

1. Click inside the dialogue box at the top left of your screen and type, “Anesthesiologist Assistant Students of America.”

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2. Click on their group (it should be the only group that Facebook pulls up.)

3. On their group page, look below their background picture and click the tab, “join.” Once the group accepts your request, you’ll be able to see the content shared on their page.

4. Look around their page and “like” or “share” any posts that appeal to you. You also have the option to “post” content on their page as well.

5. To post on their page, apply the same instructions as you would if you were to post on your own page (explained in the Facebook instructions earlier in this toolkit). Here are some ideas on content you can post to their group:

• Remind them it’s CAA week

• Talk about the importance of advocacy in your profession

• Make yourself available to them if they have questions or need advice

• Show gratitude in that they are striving to become what you’ve become

• It’s always nice to hear from someone who was once in your shoes!

• Share your feature story on their page

• They love to hear about your personal experiences

Students who’ve assisted you

Has there ever been an instance where a student CAA has shadowed you? If so, reach out to them if you have their contact information!

This is also something you can post on your social media platforms or write about in your feature stories. Here are some ideas to consider when writing or posting about your experiences with student CAAs:

• How were you able to help the student CAA while they were working with you and your Care Team?

• What kind of advice did you give them?

• Describe what it was like when you were in their shoes.

• What part of this experience did you enjoy the most?

• How do you think current student CAAs can make a difference and bring awareness to this week?

Tip: The student CAAs posts and interactions help create content for you to use on your pages as well. They contribute to this campaign, too!

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STUDENT OUTREACH

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Student Outreach Students: One of the most important things you can do while in school is to reach out and network with fellow CAAs. This will not only help you in your career, but will also provide you with great content to promote CAA week.

Here are some ideas on how to reach students.

Social Media

In some cases, the easiest way to introduce yourself is through social media. “Friending” or “adding” a fellow CAA is a great tool to use when expanding your network and gaining firsthand knowledge on the profession.

Here are some social media platforms you can use to connect with fellow CAAs.

LinkedIn. LinkedIn comes in handy when wanting to search for a specific person or group, such as fellow CAAs or CAA week in general. Here are instructions on how to get to know fellow CAAs in order to help bring awareness during this week.

• Once logged into your account:

1. Click inside the search box at the top of the page.

2. Type in “Certified anesthesiologist assistant”

3. This will bring up anyone on LinkedIn who has, “certified anesthesiologist assistant” as their occupation.

4. To better connect with a fellow CAA, filter your results to the right of your search results. Enter your location to find professionals who are geographically closest to you.

5. Once you find a fellow CAA, click the, “InMail” tab to the right of their bio.

6. A blank message template will appear for you to type a message and send to them.

7. Once you are finished writing your message, click, “Send.”

• Sending out a message to a fellow CAA on LinkedIn demonstrates your interest in the profession as well as your passion of advocating during CAA week. Here are some ideas on what content to write to a fellow CAA:

• Introduce yourself and the school you currently attend

• Talk about your passion for the profession

• Express your interest in advocating during CAA week

• Ask about how you can show support as a student CAA this week

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• Ask about noteworthy experiences a fellow CAA has had

• Ask how and why they began their career

• Ask for advice the fellow CAA thinks a student CAA should know

Once you’ve connected with a fellow CAA via LinkedIn, post about it! You can do this through any form of social media you have.

Writing about what you learned from talking with a fellow CAA is a great way to show your interest in CAA week.

Fellow CAAs you’ve assisted

If there has ever been a time where you’ve assisted a fellow CAA, this week is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase it! The experiences you gained by doing this will be ones you can carry with you throughout your career. Your audience would love to read about what you learned while working with a fellow CAA and how it impacted you as a student.

This is also something you can post on your social media platforms.

Here are some content ideas to consider when writing or posting about your experiences with fellow CAAs:

• Ways you assisted the fellow CAA or Care Team

• Advice given to you

• A description of the experience

• The activity or part you enjoyed the most?

• How this experience helps you make a difference and raise awareness of the CAA profession?

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INCENTIVES

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Incentives Your feature stories say a lot about you as an individual as well as the profession. Your stories on personal experiences and patient interactions are always great reads for your audience.

A $50 credit on meeting registration will be given to you if your feature story makes our list of the, “Top 10 Selected Features Stories Highlighting the Gratification of Being Part of an Anesthesia Care Team.”

o Once you submit your published story to us, we will review them and announce who our top ten winners are at the end of CAA week. Good Luck!!