Anesthesiology Jobs

This area provides information on Anesthesiology Jobs, duties and tasks as well as educational requirements

Around 1800, a young scientist named Humphry Davy was experimenting with nitrous oxide and found that the gas relieved the pain from a toothache he had and instilled a general sense of giddiness and well-being. Although this discovery first became widely used in a social setting as a form of entertainment, scientists, dentists, and physicians eventually pursued the use of gases and other substances as a means of relieving and managing pain. This research led to establishment of the field of anesthesiology.

What is Anesthesiology?

Anesthesiology is an area of medical practice focused on the relief of pain and total care of the surgical patient before, during and after surgery and diagnostic procedures. Anesthesiologists typically work in hospitals or outpatient clinics as part of a patient care team. Anesthesiologists also have the medical background to deal with many emergency situations. They provide airway management, cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation, advanced life support and pain control. As consultants, they play an active role in stabilizing and preparing the patient for emergency surgery.

Duties & Tasks
In the course of their jobs, anesthesiologists are often involved in the following activities:

Assessing and preparing patients for anesthesia

Management of critically ill patients

Diagnosing and treating acute, chronic and cancer related pain

Reading and assessing medical charts

Position patients appropriately on the operating table for the type of procedure.

Giving anesthesia or sedating medicine

Monitoring equipment during and after the procedure

Tracking the flow of anesthesia and patients' vital signs

Responding to any reactions or complications from anesthesia

Recording patient information

Consulting with doctors and other medical staff

Educational Requirements for Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology is a form of medical practice, and as such requires that those interested in a career in the field first complete the requirements necessary for a medical doctor. This includes obtaining a 4-year degree, often in a science or pre-med area. This is followed by completion of medical school and residency/internship in general medicine. After medical school, most countries require that you complete a residency program in anesthesia. In most cases, licensure is required before a person can be employed as an anesthesiologist. This involves passing licensure exams, which vary depending on the country or even the state in which you plan to practice.

Coursework

In addition to the regular coursework in science, health, math, biology, patient care, and other areas required to become a medical doctor, anesthesiologists take classes or on the job training in the following areas:

Pain management

Pharmacology of anesthesia practice

Pathophysiology related to anesthesia practice

Anesthesiology research practices

Anesthesiology Career Areas

Anesthesiologists most often work in a hands-on environment with patients. Within that setting them may focus on general medicine and surgery, pulmonary care, emergency room rotations, osteopathic medicine, pediatric or geriatric patients. They may work in the cancer ward or other specific departments.

In addition, anesthesiologists might work in a business, research, or educational setting. They may address social and political issues such as bioethics, right to die, and addiction to pain medication.

Veterinary anesthesiologists perform the same type of pain management work on domestic and wild animals that require surgery and other medical care.

Related Careers

The medical degree allows anesthesiologists to work in a number of related fields. They may first need to pass a licensing exam or other credentialing. There are other types of work that involve similar duties and knowledge but do not require the advanced training of an anesthesiology career. Related careers include:

Physician

Internist

Medical Scientist

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Obstetricians and Gynecologist

Pediatrician

Podiatrist

Dentist

Pharmacist

Medical Laboratory Technician

Physician Assistant

Respiratory Therapist

Nurse Anesthetist

Acupuncturist

Physical Therapist

Veterinarian