ANESTHESIOLOGIST

Anesthesiology (noun): the medical speciality

concerned with the total preoperative care
of patients before, during and after surgery.

By: Gianna Preising

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Four years of undergraduate study (preferably in the field
of pre-medicine or some biological science) are required
followed by an additional four years of medical school.
Johns Hopkins is an example of a good medical school.
After medical school, graduates will enter a residency
program that typically lasts around four years.

SALARY
The salary of anesthesiologists ranges depending on where
the anesthesiologist works and their experience in the
field. The average anesthesiologist can expect to make
around $265,990 while anesthesiologists with a lot of
experience can expect to make up to $450,000.

WHERE TO WORK/LIVE
Anesthesiologists work primarily in hospitals and
outpatient surgical centers. Work opportunities can also be
found in the military, urgent care centers, private practices,
and academic medical centers. Although anesthesiologists
can be employed almost anywhere, the largest employment
of anesthesiologists by state in May 2017 were Texas,
California, Florida, New York, and Ohio. The top paying
states for anesthesiologists, determined by the annual
mean salary, as of 2017 are West Virginia, Oregon, North
Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nebraska.

WORKING CONDIITONS
Surgeons and anesthesiologists usually work in sterile
environments while performing surgery and may stand for
long periods. Most physicians, in general, work full time.
Many work long, irregular, and overnight hours. They may
travel between their offices and hospitals to care for their
patients. While on call, an anesthesiologist may need to
address a patient’s concerns over the phone or make an
emergency visit to a hospital or nursing home.

NATURE OF THE WORK

Anesthesiologists focus on the care of surgical patients and
pain relief. They administer drugs (anesthetics) that reduce
or eliminate the sensation of pain during medical
procedures. During surgery, they are responsible for
adjusting the amount of anesthetic needed, and monitoring
the patient's heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and
body temperature. They also work outside of the operating
room, providing pain relief for patients in the intensive care
unit, for women in labor and delivery of babies, and for
patients who suffer from chronic pain. Anesthesiologists
also work with other physicians and surgeons to decide on
treatments and procedures before, during, and after
surgery.

TRADITION AND OUTLOOK

About 73% of the workers in this field are currently
men, while only 27% are women. Job growth for
anesthesiologists is expected to increase 10% to 20%
over the next decade as the growing population seems
to always be in demand for medical professionals.

RELATED OCCUPATIONS
- Surgeon
- Nurse anesthetist
- Chiropractor
- Dentist