Medical Careers: General Anesthesiologist
If you're interested in becoming an anesthesiologist, you probably have a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know about general anesthesiologist jobs and the path you need to take if you want to become a general anesthesiologist.
What is a general anesthesiologist?
Anesthesiology is a branch of medicine that deals with pain management and anesthesia. Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and a residency training program in anesthesiology.
What does a general anesthesiologist do?
They work closely with surgeons and other medical personnel to ensure that patients remain safe and comfortable during surgery. Anesthesiologists also work with patients who have chronic pain conditions to develop pain management plans that may include medication, physical therapy, or nerve block procedures. In addition to their clinical work, some anesthesiologists also teach medical students and conduct research on new anesthesia techniques and medications.
How much does a general anesthesiologist earn?
The demand for anesthesiologists is high, and the job outlook is good. In fact, anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid medical doctors, with a median salary of over $410,000 per year.
How long is a general anesthesiologist in school?
According to Forbes, while general anesthesiologists are well-paid, they are in school for 12 or more years before they earn that salary. Their education typically includes four years of earning a bachelor's degree in pre-med, four years of medical school, and four years of residency. Some general anesthesiologists also accept fellowships for an additional year or two in order to specialize in a specific area of anesthesiology.
Is becoming a general anesthesiologist a good career path?
Anesthesiology is a very demanding field, both mentally and emotionally. Anesthesiologists must be able to handle high-pressure situations and make quick decisions. They also need to have excellent communication skills and be able to work collaboratively with other members of the surgical team. With that said, anesthesiology can be a very rewarding career. Anesthesiologists have the opportunity to help people in a very direct way, and they are typically very well compensated for their services.
Is there another career path to becoming a general anesthesiologist?
If nursing school is more desirable to you than medical school, you can work in anesthesiology as a CRNA or certified registered nurse anesthetist. CRNAs work under the supervision of anesthesiologists and are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients. CRNAs are the highest-paid nurses in all nursing specialties, earning almost $200,000 annually. Unlike general anesthesiologists, however, CRNAs do not attend college for over a decade. Plus, they can also start working as a nurse early in that process, which makes paying for a master's degree in nurse anesthesia much easier.
Becoming an anesthesiologist requires a significant investment of time and energy. However, it can also be a very rewarding career choice. If you're interested in helping people and you're willing to put in the work, then a career in anesthesiology might be right for you.
For more information about general anesthesiologist career opportunities, contact a local company.
