If you've ever undergone a medical procedure, you may have been given anesthesia of some kind. This may be local numbing or being put to sleep.
Because anesthesiologists hold lives in their hands, they require many years of training. Keep reading to learn more about anesthesiology and the roadmap to becoming an anesthesiologist.
What Is an Anesthesiologist?
An anesthesiologist, also called a physician anesthesiologist, is a medical doctor who specializes in anesthesiology.
Anesthesiology is the field of medicine focused on taking care of patients before, during, and after surgery.
Anesthesia is the use of medicines to prevent pain or put a patient to sleep during surgery and other procedures. It can affect patients differently, so anesthesiologists must be specially trained to use it.
Anesthesiologists are also in charge of the anesthesiology care team, which may include anesthesiology assistants and nurse anesthetists.
Before surgery, an anesthesiologist's job duties may include:
- reviewing the patient's medical records
- discussing the patient's health with the surgeon
- answering patient questions about anesthesia
- administering the anesthetic
- monitoring the patient's vital signs after administering the anesthetic
While the patient is undergoing surgery, the anesthesiologist must be on high alert, as this is when things are most likely to go wrong.
During surgery, an anesthesiologist's job duties may include:
- ensuring that if a patient has been put to sleep, they stay asleep
- managing the patient's pain
- monitoring the patient's vital signs
- managing any medical conditions a patient may have
- dealing with emergencies that may arise, like a drop in heart rate
An anesthesiologist's job doesn't end when the surgery or procedure ends. Post-surgery job duties may include:
- monitoring the patient's vital signs as they come out of anesthesia
- checking for negative side effects as the patient comes out of anesthesia
- helping create a discharge plan for the patient
- letting the medical staff know when a patient can be moved or discharged
Some anesthesiologists, rather than working in hospitals or surgery centers, work in clinics or private practice. In these settings, they help patients manage chronic pain.
They may work with patients who have injuries or chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic regional pain syndrome.
Unfortunately, pain medication can be highly addictive. Anesthesiologists need to know where the line is between helpful and harmful.
To become an anesthesiologist, you'll need to go through medical school and residency. We've broken down all the steps below.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Before you can go to medical school, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. This is a four-year undergraduate degree.
Some schools offer specific pre-med bachelor's programs. If that isn't an option near you, you can major in the biological sciences.
While a specific degree isn't required for medical school, some medical schools require that you've taken specific courses, which are usually offered in pre-med and biological sciences programs.
Additionally, you'll want the education necessary to excel at the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Step 2: Pass the MCAT
The MCAT is a standardized test that determines how ready an applicant is to begin medical school. It's administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
The exam is divided into four sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Each step of the exam gets a grade between 118-132. Students usually need a total score above 500 to get into medical school and above 515 for some of the top medical schools.
Step 3: Complete Medical School
You've earned your bachelor's degree. You crushed the MCAT. You applied to and interviewed at different medical schools and finally made it in.
Now the work begins.
Med school programs are usually about four years long. They start with instructional learning that covers the basic foundations of medical sciences and care.
Then, students move on to clinical rotations, where they spend time in several different medical departments. Depending on your program, anesthesia may be one of them.
Many programs also leave space for you to spend more time in the departments you're interested in, helping you get a better idea of where you want to do your residency.
While you're in medical school, you can take the first two steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
This is a three-part standardized exam that you must pass before you can earn your medical license.
You can take the first two parts once you've started medical school, but can't take the third part until you've spent at least a year in residency.
Step 4: Complete an Anesthesiology Residency
Residency is the post-graduate training period that medical doctors must complete. You'll attend a residency program in your specialty area, in this case, anesthesiology.
Residency for anesthesiologists is typically four years long. During this time, you'll do hands-on, direct patient care under the supervision of an established, licensed anesthesiologist.
During the first year of residency, residents are called interns. You'll get simpler tasks and have more oversight.
As you progress through your residency, you will be given more complex duties and have less supervision.
Once you've completed at least one year in your residency, you can complete the third and final step of the USMLE.
Step 5: Obtain Licensure and Certification
After you've completed your residency program and passed stage three of the USMLE, you can pursue your state license.
Requirements vary by state, but by this point, you've likely fulfilled most of them.
You may also want to consider board certification. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, about 75% of anesthesiologists are board certified.
The American Board of Anesthesiology offers certification for anesthesiologists. Several certifications are available for anesthesiologists at different levels and with subspecialties.
Become an Anesthesiologist
To become an anesthesiologist, you'll need to undergo several years of education and pass a few different exams. Follow the steps above to begin your path to anesthesiology today.
