Anesthesiologists

Medical Doctor (MD)
Obstetrical Anesthesiologist
Staff Anesthesiologist
Staff Anesthetist

What is an Anesthesiologist?

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesiology, a field that focuses on the management of pain and anesthesia during surgical procedures and other medical interventions. Their primary role is to ensure patient safety and comfort before, during, and after surgeries by administering anesthesia, monitoring patients' vital signs, and managing pain relief. Anesthesiologists are highly trained in various types of anesthesia, including general, regional, and local anesthesia, and they possess a deep understanding of pharmacology, physiology, and the effects of anesthesia on the body. In addition to their role in surgery, anesthesiologists also provide pain management services for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions, and work in critical care settings, assisting in resuscitation and life support for critically ill patients. They play a critical role in interdisciplinary healthcare teams, collaborating with surgeons, nurses, and other medical professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
  • Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
  • Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
  • Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
  • Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.

Technology Skills

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

  • Biology

    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Chemistry

    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  • Written Comprehension

    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Post-doctoral training
    69 %
  • Doctoral degree
    25 %
  • Professional degree
    5 %

    Awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession

Work Activities

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

  • Assisting and Caring for Others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

    Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

    Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Implement advanced life support techniques.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.

Work Interests

  • Investigative

    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

  • Social

    Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

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Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.