Anesthesiologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an anesthesiologist. Feel free to use our anesthesiologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an anesthesiologist.
Who is an Anesthesiologist?
Anesthesiologists ensure that patients are safe during surgery. They provide care to the patient to avoid any pain or distress. General anesthesiologists are used to putting the patient to sleep. Sedation is an intravenous medication that makes the patient feel calm. Regional anesthesiologists use local anesthetic near the nerves to “numb” the area being treated (e.g. nerve blocks or spinal/epidural injects)
Your surgeon will coordinate with your anesthesiologist to discuss your concerns and create an anesthetic plan. Your anesthesiologist will make sure you are prepared for the operation. First, the patient must be able to safely complete the procedure. The operation can be delayed or canceled if the patient is ill. This is to allow the “optimization” of the patient’s medical condition. This decreases the risk that a patient could be exposed to.
Your anesthesiologist will try to minimize post-operative pain. Although intravenous pain medication may be used, HSS pain relief can also be applied which involves local anesthetics near the nerves.
Anesthesiologists play a vital role in making sure that patients survive surgery and are an integral part of perioperative planning.
Before Surgery
Anesthesiologists determine the medical and surgical needs of each patient before they perform surgery. After this, they plan the management.
To identify potential problems with anesthesia, a detailed history must be taken. This includes any history of allergies to the drugs, respiratory conditions, or endocrine dysfunction.
To rule out or diagnose these issues, the specialist might order certain tests such as a complete blood count or a chest radiograph.
Anesthesiologists are responsible for a comprehensive examination of all organ systems in many jurisdictions (e.g. The anesthesiologist is responsible for assessing the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, respiratory system, oropharynx, and airway. They also evaluate the anatomical locations on the body (e.g. sites for intravenous accessibility).
Pre-operative medication may include benzodiazepines, which are prescribed for patients with anxiety. Proton pump inhibitors or sodium citrate may be prescribed to those who are at high risk for gastroesophageal reflux.
Bronchodilators may be required for patients with impaired respiratory function due to conditions such as asthma. To avoid complications, antidepressants, hypoglycemic drugs, and blood thinners are usually stopped the day before the surgery.
During Surgery
Anesthesiologists in an operating room are the guardians and protectors of life. With the aid of electronic devices, they monitor the patient’s physiological function.
Scientific advancements have enabled anesthesiologists to monitor the temperature, oxygenation, ventilation, hemodynamics, and depth of anesthesia.
All of these vital parameters must be maintained within physiological limits. Anesthesiologists also have intravenous fluids and resuscitation kits ready for immediate use in case of an emergency.
Patients who have been prescribed muscle relaxants are given oxygen therapy to maintain saturation at above 90%. Intubation is used for mechanical ventilation. If necessary, blood pressure and heart rate will be closely monitored and treated accordingly.
Fluids are kept at pre-calculated levels and resuscitation using crystalloids or colloids is done when necessary. If required, blood products such as platelets, red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma are always available.
After Surgery
Anesthesiologists are responsible for returning the patient to consciousness and reversing any anesthesia that may have been used. They perform this procedure immediately after the surgeon has been completed.
The ultimate goal is the patient’s comfort after the surgery.
After surgery, the anesthesiologist is concerned about managing pain and other complications such as nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Post-op pain can be managed and treated with opioids, NSAIDs, and Acetaminophen.
Anesthesiologist Job Description
Below are the anesthesiologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an anesthesiologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an anesthesiologist include the following:
- Preparing pain relief for medical procedures, before, during, and after a surgery
- Monitoring patient’s vital signs during procedures
- Supervising certified nurse anesthetists and anesthesia assistants
- Examining medical files and laboratory results
- Informing patients about the risks of anesthesia
- Respecting hospital and medical procedure policies
- Using intravenous, local, or caudal methods to administer pain medication or sedation during medical and surgical procedures.
- Recording the amount and type of anesthesia used as well as patients’ conditions throughout the procedure.
- Taking medical histories and examining patients. Order diagnostic tests like x-rays, laboratory tests, and x-rays. Discuss with other healthcare professionals the best method and type to numb patients to pain.
- Ensuring that emergency surgery patients have access to life support and airway management.
- Monitoring patients after surgery and determining when they can move to another room or home.
- Assisting with anesthesiology services and coordination with other professionals to develop procedures and plans
- Instructing patients and their families about post-procedure care, possible complications, and other ways to improve and prevent illness.
- Assessing patients’ vital signs, medical history, allergies, medication use, and other risk factors
- Collaborating with a medical team in the design of a patient’s treatment program
Qualifications
To practice as an anesthesiologist, one must have a high level of education, training, and licensure
Education
To apply to medical school, anesthesiologists must first have a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree can be earned in biology, psychology, or another related field. These programs prepare students for medical school. A bachelor’s degree can be used to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and then apply for medical school.
It takes four years to complete a medical school degree. The first two years are devoted to anatomy and general medicine, while the last year is devoted to practical experience through rotations. Students will be able to work in hospitals or clinics and learn about different areas of medicine such as surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine. Rotations enable students to choose the specialty that they want to pursue in their career.
Training
Anesthesiologists can complete a residency program after they have earned their medical degree. This could take up to four years. Anesthesiologists’ residency begins with general medicine training. The remaining years of the program are devoted to clinical anesthesia (CA).
Each year, CA training has different focuses. The first year will be spent teaching the basics of anesthesia to resident anesthesiologists. They will rotate through anesthesia subspecialties during the second year. Residents can choose between advanced clinical training or clinical research during their final year of CA training.
Many aestheticians choose to complete a year of fellowship training in pediatric, cardiac, obstetric, pain management, and/or pediatric anesthesia. Further training is required to become certified in critical care, pain management, and palliative medicine.
Certification
Anesthesiologists need to be licensed by their state’s medical board. They must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, which is three-part exam students take during medical school. The final exam must be taken within three years after graduating from medical school. Candidates must prove that they have completed a residency at an accredited medical school and passed the USMLE to be eligible for licensure.
Board certification is voluntary. Most health care facilities require board-certified doctors. The American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) offer certification exams.
Essential Skills
- Dedication
Aspiring anesthesiologists need to be dedicated to the profession. It typically takes 12 years to become a board-certified anesthesiologist. As with other doctor jobs, this job requires long, stressful work hours. It can take up to 60 hours per week including weekends and holidays. Individuals must also have the ability to maintain physical strength and endurance.
- Ability to work under pressure
Anesthesiologists are required to maintain calmness under pressure because they deal with complex surgical situations where the life of patients could be at risk. Although anesthesiologists can be trained to have this skill, they should also possess the ability to maintain calmness and keep their heads cool. When working in fast-paced hospital surgery, anesthesiologists need to make quick and confident decisions. Anesthesiologists should also be detail-oriented and have good judgment.
- Communication skills
This profession is known for its doctor-patient relationships. Before performing any surgery, anesthesiologists must meet with the patient to discuss their medical history and concerns. Effective communication skills are also important for anesthesiologists. They will need to talk about current medications, patient anxiety, and discuss the risks and benefits of various anesthetic options. For chronic pain treatment, anesthesiologists who work in critical care units may have long-lasting doctor-patient relationships. They will need to build trusting relationships with many patients.
- General medical knowledge
Although an anesthesiologist is trained to administer anesthesia to patients and prescribe it, they also need to be able to communicate with other medical professionals. Anesthesiologists need to have a broad knowledge base to succeed in the early stages of their education. They also need to be well-informed when they work in a hospital. Anesthesiologists who are well-informed will be able to collaborate with other staff members to make the best decisions for patients. If the anesthesiologist needs to provide emergency care, medical knowledge is essential.
- Attention to detail
It is crucial to pay attention to all details when working in the medical industry, even those that seem small. Strong attention to detail by anesthesiologists will ensure patient safety and minimize their exposure to errors during their shift.
- Serving others
A challenging career choice in the medical field emphasizes service orientation. Doctors who have a natural tendency to serve and help others are more likely to be successful. Being able to help others makes working as an anesthesiologist easier. This helps to keep anesthesiologists focused at work and motivated to continue learning and growing within their profession.
Specialized medical knowledge: Anesthesiologists must keep up-to-date on their anesthesiology skills. Anesthesiologists should continue to read industry literature and keep up to date with any new developments to stay abreast of industry standards. Anesthesiologists can find solutions that are not available to specialists or generalists in other areas.
How to Become an Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are held to the highest professional and educational standards as doctors. Here are some steps to follow if you are interested in a career as an Anesthesiologist.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
This begins with an undergraduate degree. Pre-med is a great choice for aspiring doctors, but science-based fields like biology and biochemistry are also popular options.
- Take the Medical College Admission Test
Just like undergraduate institutions may require that you take standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, medical schools will likely ask you to take the MCAT. The MCAT measures knowledge and skills that are important for medical professionals, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, and knowledge of natural, scientific, and behavioral concepts and principles. Each section is scored on a scale of 118 to 132, with 125 being the average and median scores.
- Get a medical degree
After completing undergraduate studies, aspiring doctors must complete four years of medical school. Medical students will be able to acquire both technical and practical knowledge, as well as practice in the administration of medical tasks. The time is valuable for medical students as they continue their education and eventually become practicing doctors.
- A one-year medical internship is required
The intern will gain practical experience on the job during this phase. Interns will not only assist and observe patients, but they will also participate in rounds and learn about other specialties.
- Obtain a state medical license to legally practice medicine
A residency program is often required to obtain a license as a doctor. The medical licenses you have are not transferable between states. If you want to work in a facility that isn’t within your state, you will need to apply for licensure there. A doctor who commutes between states must be licensed in that state, and not in the one where they reside.
- A specialized fellowship is an option
Anesthesiologists have the option of pursuing a fellowship after completing their residency in anesthesiology. The fellowship lasts for one year and the anesthesiologist can specialize in a subset or part of anesthesiology such as pain management, pediatric anesthesiology, and obstetrics. A specialized fellowship is for doctors who are interested in specific types of care. It allows them to stand out among other applicants and perform better once they have been hired.
- Board certification
This certification, although not required, is a positive reflection on an anesthesiologist. It may also be requested by a facility seeking to fill a job. Commonly, a certification is received in the specialty that the anesthesiologist studied during their fellowship. There will likely be experience requirements to qualify for the certification and an exam that must be passed to earn the board certification.
- Create your resume
It is essential that your resume represents you well and highlights your skills. You should include any certifications or associations that you have, but you should also highlight experience that is relevant to the job posting. You should also include specific skills and duties if the job posting requires them. If so, your skills sections will be used to highlight those times.
Where to Work
Anesthesiologists are employed in a hospital or surgical center, while others work as freelancers and can book an operation in a healthcare facility or clinic.
Anesthesiologist Salary Scale
The average annual salary of anesthesiologists in the United States is $340,000.