The anesthesiologist is one of the most influential doctors in the surgical process. He is the one who administers anesthesia and monitors the vital signs of the patient during surgery. Becoming a presenting doctor is not easy. It takes a lot of study and thorough preparation.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what an anesthesiologist is, his professional responsibilities, the amount of salary, and other essential points.
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An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in anesthesiology. This doctor must have an MD degree; osteopathic medicine may also suffice. The anesthesiologist’s primary specialty is administering anesthesia to the patient before or during surgery and other surgical procedures. This specialist does not work alone. He is part of a large team of surgeons, nurses, and other doctors.
This doctor must have an excellent understanding of aesthetics and physiology, pharmacology, and other areas related to the administration of anesthesia to the patient. Monitoring the patient’s condition during surgery is the second crucial duty when working in this position. The specialist must know how to properly monitor the patient’s breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs during medically assisted sleep.
The anesthesiologist has one of the most important roles during surgery. The presented specialist has a variety of responsibilities:
Many specialists get jobs in surgery, and some also treat chronic pain. In the second situation, the doctor treats a patient who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, migraine, and other diseases of a chronic nature. The main task of this doctor is to deal with intermittent severe pain.
To become a qualified and sought-after anesthesiologist, you need to go quite a long way:
First, a prospective physician should obtain a bachelor’s degree before medical training. The most common undergraduate study direction is science, biology, and other related fields. Successful candidates for continuing medical school education must complete their bachelor’s degree with honors. According to the American Medical Association, you must have a GPA of at least 3.5 to enter an educational program.
The most common way for students to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before completing their bachelor’s degree program is to take the MCAT. It is the only way to get into medical school. A student must earn the required number of points in each field. The higher the scores, the more likely you will get into a prestigious school.
To become an anesthesiologist, you must graduate from medical school. The preparation time is 4 years. In this institution of higher learning, the basic concepts of medicine, students are also prepared for other residency and becoming professional anesthesiologists.
While in medical school, you should begin studying for the USMLE – the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Many states require an anesthesiologist to be officially licensed. You can also take the first 2 parts of the test in medical school. When the student has already earned his MD degree, he can take the last 3rd part.
When medical school training has ended, an additional 4 years of medical residency will have to be spent. The residency program assumes that students will spend the 1st year practicing in various hospitals. The following 3 years will be spent on direct training in anesthesiology. There are several specialties for the student to choose from that they can participate in when the residency program ends.
Once the specialist has completed his residency, it is time to fill out an application for an official license in the specific state where he plans to work. This certification can only be obtained from the state medical board. Only those doctors who meet all the criteria and complete the steps above will be licensed.
This is not a mandatory requirement. At the same time, most anesthesiologists are certified by the board of doctors. Having this certification increases your chances of getting a job. Certification can be obtained from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). In this situation, you should fill out an application and pass the exam.
Salary is affected by several factors: experience, education, location, and state. The average salary for anesthesiologists in the United States is $230,440 annually.
Successful anesthesiologists must possess some specific skills that allow them to develop in the professional field:
In addition, it is necessary to constantly improve at the professional level. You should study new developments and read the industry literature and scientific articles.
The full path to becoming an anesthesiologist takes about 12 years. This includes 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of residency. There are also educational programs for 6 years of bachelor’s degree and medical school.
Often, these doctors are employed by a hospital or medical facility. They are involved in inpatient surgeries and outpatient procedures. The anesthesiologist spends the same time with the patient before and after surgery.
Most anesthesiologists work more than 40 hours per week. The doctor’s schedule can be in shifts of up to 12 hours. You also have to stay in touch 24/7 at all times. The number of hours worked per week often depends much on where you are employed.
