Anesthesiologist
Definition: An Anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in anesthesia. Their role is crucial to the safety and efficacy of medical procedures, as they are responsible for administering general, local, regional, or monitored anesthetics, monitoring and controlling the patient's vital life functions, and managing pain and the critical care required before, during, and after a medical procedure. They are also responsible for leading the Anesthesia Care Team.
Definition: Anesthesia is the use of anesthetics, a form of medication, that prevents patients from feeling pain during a medical procedure by altering the release of chemical messengers that pass nerve signals to the brain (“National Institute of General Medical Sciences”).
Whenever receiving a medical procedure, such as surgery or dental work, Anesthesia is a necessary and effective way to calm patients, ensure their comfort, safety, and manage pain and discomfort. Typically, anesthesia is administered and handled by an Anesthesiologist, which will be the topic of the blog today!
Anesthesia can also be administered by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA’s) or Anesthesiologist Assistants (AA’s).
Specializations?
Some might not know, but you can also specialize as an Anesthesiologist! These doctors can specialize during their fellowship years after residency. Some of the areas that an Anesthesiologist can specialize in include:
Pediatric Anesthesiology
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Obstetric Anesthesiology
Pain Medicine
Critical Care Medicine
Regional Anesthesia
Hospice Medicine
Neuroanesthesia
General Anesthesia
Fellowship programs can vary in time, but may span from one to two years.
Where can Anesthesiologists work?
Anesthesiologists have multiple different environments with completely different patient interactions where they can practice. Some of which include:
Hospitals
Cinics
Outpatient Surgical Centers
Critical Care Units
Pain Management Centers
Obstetric Units
Academic and Research Institutions
The road towards a career in Anesthesia…
To become an Anesthesiologist, you must:
Undergo extensive and advanced training for this career, which takes up to 12 to 14 years of school and clinical training after receiving a high school diploma or a similar sort of recognition…I know that a lot.
After one graduates from high school, they must attend college and earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
This degree should focus on biology, pre-med, or a field that is similar, such as chemistry, physics, and mathematical studies.
During your 3rd year of college (if you're taking the typical 4 year bachelor’s degree), you must take the MCAT. (Medical College Admission Test).
This test is the gateway into medical school!
Score range between 472 to 528
The current time of this test is 7 hours and 30 minutes
After completing this test, it is time to apply to Medical Schools during your 4th year of college!
Global: Approximately 4,100 medical schools
USA: Approximately 190 medical schools, including both MD and DO schools
Congratulations! You have now applied, got accepted, and enrolled in medical school, but the education isn’t done. This will take about four years to complete, and will explore Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Ethics, etc. Clinical rotations are also included and involve different specialties of medicine. In addition to taking the Step One and Step Two exams.
From this point, one would declare their specialty in anesthesiology and complete a four-year residency program! This includes:
hands-on training and classroom instruction on all things Anesthesiology and anesthesia treatment.
Taking the Step Three exam, which can typically be taken either during or after the first year of residency
Once the residency program is finished, it is optional but encouraged that one take part in a fellowship training program, which will further prepare the individual for their board certification exam and specialty.
The exam is called the ABA, which is the American Board of Anesthesiologists certification exam.
Let’s have a chat
Overall, Anesthesiologists are some of the highest-paid physicians and require very specialized skills. A range of benefits comes from this profession and provides very flexible work schedules, job security, job satisfaction, diverse work environments, etc. Don’t let the years of study and long hours of study scare you; Anesthesiology may be for you!
Work Cited
Cleveland Clinic. “Anesthesia: Anesthesiology, Surgery, Side Effects, Types, Risk.” Cleveland Clinic, 30 May 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15286-anesthesia.
“How to Become an Anesthesiologist: Is It the Right Career for You?” Free Career Test, 2022, www.careerfittest.com/how-to-become-an-anesthesiologist/. Accessed 29 May 2025.
“National Institute of General Medical Sciences.” National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), 2023, www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/anesthesia.
