Anesthesiologist Schooling
Anesthesiologists are valuable members of any medical team. They are the ones responsible for administering medications that allow patients to sleep during medical treatments and critical surgical procedures. They keep constant vigil over patient vital signs while they are under anesthesia by monitoring respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure. Anesthesiologists are basically physicians who work in a chosen specialty so anesthesiologist schooling is the same as that required for other physicians, including medical school, residency, and licensure requirements. If you would like to work in one of the top careers in medicine, go back to college today and get your career training as an anesthesiologist.
Education and training for anesthesiologist schooling
The first step in getting your anesthesiologist schooling is to get an undergraduate degree, at least bachelor’s level, in a life science or mathematics. During this time, you will take a variety of classes including general education such as English, history, and others. It is possible to get this portion of your training through either a traditional or an online university.
The next step in your anesthesiologist schooling is to apply and get accepted to a medical school. Admissions can be extremely competitive so it is important to get high scores on your MCAT exam as well as to have a high GPA in your undergraduate program. During your studies at medical school, you will undergo the same training as other physicians. The first two years will be spent mainly in classrooms, studying such topics as anatomy and physiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, medical ethics, gross anatomy, cell and tissue biology, microbiology, and much more. The next two years will consist of clinical experience in hospitals or clinics, practicing patient care.
After that, students must apply for a residency, which last another four years, in the specialty of anesthesiology. Many anesthesiology residencies allow students to practice on simulator-based equipment. They also teach students about standard operating room procedures, post-anesthesia care, equipment troubleshooting, organ transplants, and much more.
Next steps
Most employers require anesthesiologists to have a minimum of 2-4 years of post-residency experience as well as certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. These programs are available online through the American Medical Resource Institute. You may also become certified through the American Board of Anesthesiology through a written and oral examination. This certification must be renewed every ten years. The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology also offers certification that involves a written and oral exam in addition to an observation of the candidate administering anesthesia. To maintain this certification, you must complete 120 hours of continuing education credits within three years. Recertification must be completed every ten years.
Your anesthesiologist schooling can take several years to complete and requires a large financial expenditure but it more than pays for itself. The salary for a qualified anesthesiologist can range from $100,000 a year to well over $350,000, making it one of the highest paid professions. If you are ready to make a major financial change in your life, a career as an anesthesiologist is for you.
