Anesthesiologist
Did you know that the medical field contains many of America’s highest paid occupations? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, anesthesiologists, making an average of $111.94 an hour, take the lead. The 29,930 anesthesiologists in the United States work long hours and play a major role in the safety and well-being of patients before, during, and after procedures.
Physician anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in the field of anesthesiology. Often working 40-60 hours a week, they are trained to provide pain relief and maintenance dealing with surgery. In this field, anesthesiologists must have highly developed communication skills and the ability to make decisions promptly. In the operating room, it is the anesthesiologist’s duty to closely monitor the patient’s vitals and adjust the dosage as needed. The role of anesthesiologists extends far past the operating room. He or she must also perform an initial assessment in preparation of the surgery, which is an evaluation process that thoroughly considers both the patient’s current health and the planned procedure that allows the physicians to make the safest and most effective decisions regarding anesthesia for each individual patient. The physician anesthesiologist is also responsible for the welfare of the patient after surgery, as the patient’s anesthesia fades, and they often assist in postoperative or chronic pain.
In the United States, physician anesthesiologists must complete a four year undergraduate college degree that satisfies pre-med requirements. Like other medical doctors, they need to follow undergraduate education with four years of medical school. After medical school, a physician specializing in anesthesiology completes a four year residency program. After completing an anesthesiology residency program, residents are eligible for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) exam. Nearly 75% of physician anesthesiologists are board certified....