What is An anesthesiologist?
More than 150 years ago, ether—the first anesthetic—was hailed as “the greatest gift ever given to suffering humanity.” Medicines are different today, but any woman who has experienced the excruciating pain of contractions followed by the amazing relief of an epidural will tell you that anesthesia is one of humanity’s greatest blessings.
Anesthesia is often depicted as sleep, but JP Abenstein, associate professor of anesthesiology at the Mayo School of Medicine, explains that general anesthesia is more like a strong drug-induced coma. Anesthesiologists usually administer a combination of intravenous drugs and inhaled gases to make the patient unconscious and painless. For operations on the head, chest, or abdomen, anesthesiologists must support the patient’s breathing with a breathing tube. So it’s no surprise that Abenstein describes it this way: “An anesthesiologist keeps a patient alive during an invasive procedure that would otherwise kill him.”
Anesthesiologists may also use sedation, in which medication is given intravenously to calm the patient. With regional anesthesia, unlike general anesthesia, anesthesiologists inject drugs near a node of nerves to block pain signals from being transmitted to the brain—in other words, they numb a specific part of the body. Patients given regional anesthesia are awake, although they may also be sedated intravenously, which helps them relax, feel drowsy, or even sleep, depending on the level of sedation.
Abenstein says the scope of the profession has expanded dramatically in the past decade. Anesthesiologists still work in hospital operating rooms, but their expertise is also needed in other locations, including invasive radiology, gastrointestinal endoscopy, electrophysiology, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 0.5 percent for anesthesiologists between 2020 and 2030. During this period, it is estimated that 200 jobs will be lost.
How much does an anesthesiologist earn?
How to become An anesthesiologist?
1. Get a bachelor’s degree. You need a university degree to apply to medical school. Several prerequisites are required, such as biochemistry and physics.
2. Take the medical college entrance exam. Taking the MCAT—and getting a high score—is required to get into medical school. Topics covered in the exam include biology, chemistry and critical analysis.
3. Attend medical school. Medical school is usually completed in four years. The curriculum includes clinical rotations in addition to traditional courses.
4. Passing the license test. Graduates who want to practice medicine in the United States must first pass a licensing exam. Graduates with an MD degree Take the US Medical Licensing Examination and DO holders take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination.
5. Obtaining residence. After medical school, you complete a four-year residency, the last three years of which focus on anesthesiology.
6. Obtaining a government license. All anesthesiologists must be licensed by the state, although requirements vary by state.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, an anesthesiologist has completed between 12,000 and 16,000 hours of clinical training after completing medical school, residency, and fellowship.
Many anesthesiologists complete a one- to two-year fellowship program to learn a subspecialty, such as critical care or obstetric anesthesia. Anesthesiologists may also obtain their board certification through the American Board of Anesthesiology. Although not required, it demonstrates advanced skill and knowledge. Getting certified also helps many people get more career opportunities or higher salaries.
Job Satisfaction
The average American works well into their 60s, so workers may have an enjoyable and fulfilling career. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance, and strong prospects for improvement, promotion, and higher pay make many employees happy. Here’s how Anesthesiologists Job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.