An anesthesiologist is a doctor (MD or DO) who practices anesthesia. Anesthesiologists are physicians specializing in perioperative care, developing anesthetic plans, and the administration of anesthetics. He or she has finished college, then medical school (four years), then an internship (one year) followed by a residency in anesthesia (three years). Some anesthesiologists pursue additional years of training (a fellowship).

  • 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.
  • Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
  • Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
  • Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
  • Confer with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.
  • Order laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
  • Inform students and staff of types and methods of anesthesia administration, signs of complications, and emergency methods to counteract reactions.
  • Provide medical care and consultation in many settings, prescribing medication and treatment and referring patients for surgery.
  • Manage anesthesiological services, coordinating them with other medical activities and formulating plans and procedures.
  • Diagnose illnesses, using examinations, tests, and reports.
  • Coordinate and direct work of nurses, medical technicians, and other health care providers.
  • Instruct individuals and groups on ways to preserve health and prevent disease.
  • Schedule and maintain use of surgical suite, including operating, wash-up, waiting rooms, or anesthetic and sterilizing equipment.
  • Conduct medical research to aid in controlling and curing disease, to investigate new medications, and to develop and test new medical techniques.
Work Context
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 87% responded "Extremely important".
  • Contact With Others — 83% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Physical Proximity — 76% responded "Very close (near touching)".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 84% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 79% responded "Very important results".
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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.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • 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.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Implement advanced life support techniques.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
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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.
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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.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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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 there is a problem.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • MEDITECH software Hot Technology
  • Skyscape AnesthesiaDrugs
  • Skyscape 5-Minute Clinical Consult
  • AetherPalm InfusiCalc
  • Medical calculator software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • EDImis Anesthesia Manager
  • Drug database software
  • Anesthesia machine software
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
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Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
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