Anesthesiologist Job Description

The Anesthesiologist Job Description starts with becoming a physician and then an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists focus on the care of surgical patients and pain relief. Like other physicians, they evaluate and treat patients and direct the efforts of those on their staffs. Anesthesiologists confer with other physicians and surgeons about appropriate treatments and procedures before, during, and after operations. These critical care specialists are responsible for maintenance of the patient’s vital life functions—heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, breathing—through continual monitoring and assessment during surgery. They often work outside of the operating room, providing pain relief in the intensive care unit, during labor and delivery, and for those who suffer from chronic pain.

Anesthesiologist Job Description Working Conditions

Working conditions and hours are variable. Anesthesiologists are often on call for all hours of the day. The usual work setting is in a hospital or outpatient clinic. some cases can last for several hours during which the anesthesiologist must continue to monitor and provide support for the patient. In extreme cases they can work over 80 hours per week.  The work environment is indoors with temperatures in the operating room kept cool. 

Training and Qualifications

The requirements for the anesthesiologist job description include formal education and training requirements. These are among the most demanding of any occupation—4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 rather than the customary 8 years.

Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions.

In addition to becoming a physician an anesthesiologist must also complete an accredited program in anesthesiology.

Licensing and Credentialing

In all 50 states and the U.S. Territories Anesthesiologists are regulated. The usual method to be a credentialed and licensed anesthesiologist is:
1) Possess the amount of training and/or a degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy
2)Complete an accredited program of anesthesiology
3) Pass a national exam
4) Apply for licensure in the state you wish to practice in.

Significant Points

• Anesthesiologists must be licensed, requiring 4 years of undergraduate education, completion of a 4-year Medical or Osteopathic college course, residency and an Anesthesiology program.
• Employment is expected to increase faster than average as aging boomers and rapidly expanding healthcare needs drive up the demand for healthcare overall.
• Job prospects should be good; establishing a new practice will be easiest in areas with a low concentration of Anesthesiologists.
  As with other types of independent practice, earnings for Anesthesiologists are relatively low in the beginning, but increase as the practice grows.
• The management of a Anesthesiology practice requires the same skills as for a small business; accounts receivable, hiring employees, and business overhead are just a few of the many details that will have to be dealt with. Most physicians hire an office manager to run the daily operations and to run the business part of their practice.

Advancement - chances for promotion

The majority of Anesthesiologists are engaged in private practice. Unless they work for a major corporation or form a group practice promotions and advancement will be limited. Income is based on the number of patients they can see in a day. Increases in salary will come from raising their fees and/or passing on rising costs to the consumer. For those who are employed advancement will vary depending on the size of the organization.

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Physicians and Surgeons, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos074.htm (visited January 3, 2007).