Everything you need to know about becoming an anesthesiologist

Do you want to know what it takes to become an anesthesiologist?

Here is exactly what they do, what the average salary is, their career requirements, how long it takes to become an anesthesiologist, and the skills you need to succeed.

What is an anesthesiologist?

An anesthesiologist is a medical practitioner who specializes in anesthesiology. They work together with other medical professionals like doctors, surgeons, and nurses.

To become an anesthesiologist, you need to have a degree in Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Just like other medical practitioners, an anesthesiologist needs to study for four years in medical school before they start specializing in their field. 

Anesthesiologists undergo training in anesthetics and other areas associated with anesthesia, like physiology and pharmacology. They need those skills to monitor the patients throughout surgery to ensure they stay healthy, as well as communicatie with them before and after the surgery. 

What does an anesthesiologist do?

An anesthesiologist handles sensation and pain management. They do that by administering and monitoring anesthetic before, during, and after surgery. They are responsible for the well-being and safety of patients undergoing a medical procedure.  

Before surgery, an anesthesiologist will observe and test the patient to ensure that they are suitable for anesthesia. They do this by reviewing the patient’s medical history while answering their questions concerning the surgery. If they find the patient is ready for surgery, they will administer anesthesia and monitor key vitals.

During the surgery, the anesthesiologist will continuously check on the patient, administer pain medication, and keep an eye on the vital signs. If the patient has a chronic condition such as diabetes, the anesthesiologist helps manage it. Their job is to ensure the patient remains in a controlled unconsciousness. The practitioner will also continually monitor the life functions of the patient after medical procedures.

After surgery, the anesthesiologist will continue to oversee the patient’s recovery. They will monitor how the patient is recovering from the effects of anesthesia. They also collaborate with the medical doctor to determine if the patient is ready to be discharged. On top of that, they create a care plan for the patient and supports them throughout recovery. They also put in place a plan that will manage the patient’s pain.

They use various anesthesiological techniques such as local, regional, or epidural anesthesiology. If the patient is undergoing a full procedure such as open-heart surgery or joint replacement, they may undergo full sedation. On the other hand, regional anesthesia is commonly used in surgeries.

Some of the tools used by anesthesiologists include needles or mask with the necessary monitors to help track the patient’s vitals. The majority of anesthesiologists usually work with surgeons, nurse anesthetics, and other physicians. However, others specialize in the management and treatment of chronic pain.

What is the average salary of an anesthesiologist?

The average salary of an anesthesiologist is $92,758.However, this depends on several factors such as education, training, experience, specific industry, and geographical locations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that anesthesiologists are among the highest paid professionals in the United States.

How to become an anesthesiologist

There are several steps you need to follow to become an anesthesiologist. These are:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree

Before you can join medical school to study anesthesiology, you will need to get a bachelor’s degree in natural science, physic, chemistry, biology, health science, and other related fields. According to the American Medical Association, you will need to have a GPA of between 3.5 and 5 to be admitted to medical school.

2. Take the MCAT

Before you graduate from your undergraduate program, you should start preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

It is a test that has to be completed before admission to medical school. The higher your score on this test, the better your chances of getting admitted.

3. Join medical school

If you are an aspiring anesthesiologist, you will need to complete a medical school program that takes four years.

This program aims to prepare you for the residency programs and later a career as an anesthesiologist. When choosing a DO or MD, you should ensure that you select an accredited program. If you join an unaccredited program, it may be more complicated to get licensed. 

4. Pass USMLE

Passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a requirement before you can get medical licensed to practice as an anesthesiologist.

You can take the first two parts of the examination while still in medical school. However, you should complete the third part after getting your doctor of medical degree.

5. Complete residency program

After you have completed your medical school program, you will need to complete another four-year residency program. During the first year of the program, you will be rotating from one hospital to the other. The other three years will involve anesthetic training. It is during this residency that you can choose your sub-specialty.

Towards the end of your residency programs, you will be required to take the board’s final exam. This exam often has a written part and a case simulation that tests the ability of the physician to apply their training in an ambulance setting. The student may be required to diagnose the patient or treat their wound.

Once students have completed their residency program, the fellowship program isn’t mandatory. The program requires a year or two to concentrate on a particular anesthesiology area such as pediatric, neurosurgery, dental anesthesiology, and transplant.

6. Get licensed by the state

Before you are allowed to practice as an anesthesiologist, you will need a license from the state you will be practicing.

You are only authorized to apply for the license after completing the above steps. The state medical board is mandated to issue licenses to anesthesiologists.

7. Be certified by the board

While it is not compulsory for anesthesiologists to be board-certified, it can help increase your chances of securing a job.

The bodies tasked with board certification are the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and the American Board of Physicians Specialties (ABPS). You will need to take an exam before you become board certified.

8. Invest in continuing education

Because you have gotten all the necessary licenses doesn’t mean that you stop learning. Like other physicians, anesthesiologists are supposed to maintain and keep updating their specialized certifications.

The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) requires anesthesiologists to attain continuing education credits (CMEs) every five years to keep their license. 

How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist?

Generally, it takes 12 to 14 years to become a licensed anesthesiologist. The first four years involve undergraduate study in any subject. Most students choose to join a pre-medicine degree program in a related field such as biology.

After this, you will need to take another four years in medical school. After that, you spend four years in residency. Finally, you can take a year or two in a fellowship program.

What skills are needed to succeed as an anesthesiologist?

There are several skills that an anesthesiologist will need to have. These are:

1. Collaboration

An anesthesiologist collaborates with other medical practitioners such as surgeons, family doctors, and internists to provide care to the patient.

This is why anesthesiologists need to have collaboration skills to work with other professionals.

2. Interpersonal and communication skills

Remember that an anesthesiologist will mostly be dealing with critically ill patients and in emergencies. The patient may already be going through emotional trauma, and they need to be handled with care. This is why anesthesiologists need to have good interpersonal skills that can enable them to create a good rapport with such patients.

The medical practitioner needs to communicate in a clear and supportive way. They should explain complex issues to the patients to enable them to understand the anesthesia to be used.

3. Physical characteristics

When practicing anesthesiology, there is a need for manual agility and physical stamina. You may end up working for 60 hours a week during irregular hours and you do the majority of your work standing.

The majority of procedures you will do also require technical skills like inserting a spinal catheter or an intravenous line.

4. Integration and decision-making skills

Before you decide on an anesthesiologist, you will need to consider various factors. The anesthesia practice combines clinical judgment, technical skills, and decision-making when under pressure. The medical practitioner will be managing patients with different conditions who may be affected by the anesthetic agents. You as a practitioner must be well informed in many different areas and apply the knowledge to the patients.

5. Critical thinking

An anesthesiologist should use reasoning and logic to determine the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, solutions, and conclusions. Their critical thinking will enable them to think of creative solutions when under pressure. 

Where can you find anesthesiologist jobs?

The majority of anesthesiologists usually work in hospitals. Therefore, this is one of the areas where you can easily find a job.

You can also find a job as an anesthesiologist in surgical outpatient clinics and ambulances. Research institutions even hire anesthesiologists to help them study and improve various anesthesia procedures.

With anesthesia becoming a widely accepted way of pain management, institutions that care for terminally ill patients may also require anesthesiologists. Therefore, you can also get a job in a hospice. Finally, universities, colleges, and other professional schools may need practitioners.