What Does An Anesthesiologist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.

Salary
$271440
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Anesthesiologists administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.

  • 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.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Anesthesiologists record the type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout the procedure. They decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.

A typical day for an Anesthesiologist will also include:

  • Position the patient on the operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
  • Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
  • Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
  • Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
  • Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Anesthesiologists also diagnose illnesses, using examinations, tests, and reports. They may also order laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Anesthesiologists instruct individuals and groups on ways to preserve health and prevent disease. They might also conduct medical research to aid in controlling and curing disease, investigate new medications, and develop and test new medical techniques.

In addition, they coordinate and direct the work of nurses, medical technicians, and other health care providers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them confer with other medical professionals to determine the type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patients insensible to pain.

To some Anesthesiologists, it is also their responsibility to schedule and maintains the use of the surgical suite, including operating, wash-up, waiting rooms, or anesthetic and sterilizing equipment.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

83% said they were satisfied with their job and 91% said they found their job meaningful.


University of California San Diego

My name is Dr. Taylor Graber. I am an MD resident anesthesiologist and I work in San Diego with the University of California San Diego. Anesthesiology is the practice of using medications and pharmacology to assist patients and surgeons with medical procedures. There are a wide variety of roles and responsibilities, and we work inside … Read More


New York Medical Anesthesia

Some use this analogy, which isn’t too far off. Being an anesthesiologist is like being a pilot for a plane with passengers. 98% of the time it’s relatively calm and smooth, but the other 2% is intense and requires one to turn up the dial for immense focus and action. I have the unique experience … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

One of the fastest-growing careers.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$271440 per year

Average hourly wage

$130 per hour

Entry-level Anesthesiologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $136,180 to $208,000+ per year or $65 to $100+ per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $208,000+ $100+
Median $208,000+ $100+
Junior (Bottom 25%) $208,000+ $100+
No experience (Bottom 10%) $136,180 $65

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Anesthesiologists based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Offices of Physicians $283280 $136.19
Specialty Hospitals $278460 $133.87
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $222580 $107.01
Offices of Other Health Practitioners $163310 $78.51
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $95300 $45.82
Outpatient Care Centers $ $#

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Anesthesiologists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Anesthesiologists including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Offices of Physicians 23120 $283280 $136.19
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 3920 $222580 $107.01
Outpatient Care Centers 560 $ $#
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 430 $95300 $45.82
Specialty Hospitals 280 $278460 $133.87
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 180 $163310 $78.51

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
5%

More than 40 hours
95%

Working schedule

66%

34%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
42%

Every day
49%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
17%

Every day
72%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
6%

Every day
94%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
9%

Once a year
43%

Once a month
41%

Once a week
3%

Every day
4%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
9%

Slightly competitive
4%

Moderately competitive
16%

Highly competitive
39%

Extremely competitive
32%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
95%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
91%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
3%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
100%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
100%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
1%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
5%

Doctoral Degree
25%

Post-Doctoral Training
69%

Relevant majors

Anesthesiology Residency Program

A residency training program that prepares physicians in the application of anesthesia for general and specialized surgery and obstetrics, critical patient care, and the care of pain problems. Includes instruction in surgical procedures, current monitoring procedures, fluid therapy, pain management, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures outside the operating room, and operating room safety.

Internal Medicine/Anesthesiology Combined Specialty Program

A combined educational program in internal medicine and anesthesiology which has been approved by the specialty board of each of the specialties to ensure that resident physicians completing combined training are eligible for board certification in each of the component specialties. The duration of combined training is longer than any one of its component specialty programs standing alone, and shorter than all of its component specialty programs together.


Pediatrics/Anesthesiology Combined Specialty Program

A combined educational program in pediatrics and anesthesiology which has been approved by the specialty board of each of the specialties to ensure that resident physicians completing combined training are eligible for board certification in each of the component specialties. The duration of combined training is longer than any one of its component specialty programs standing alone, and shorter than all of its component specialty programs together.

Emergency Medicine/Anesthesiology Combined Specialty Program

A combined educational program in emergency medicine and anesthesiology which has been approved by the specialty board of each of the specialties to ensure that resident physicians completing combined training are eligible for board certification in each of the component specialties. The duration of combined training is longer than any one of its component specialty programs standing alone, and shorter than all of its component specialty programs together.

Medicine

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of medicine, involving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, injuries, and other disorders of the human body. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, examination and diagnosis, patient communications, medical ethics and law, professional standards, and rotations in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, clinical pathology, anesthesiology, family medicine, and psychiatry.


Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of osteopathic medicine, involving a combination of medical principles and procedures and osteopathic principles of holistic medicine and the relationship of the musculoskeletal system to general health. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, preventive medicine, family and community medicine, medical informatics, disease systems, organ and physiologic systems, osteopathic principles and practice, osteopathic manipulative treatment, musculoskeletal and skin systems, clinical specialty rotations, medical ethics, and professional standards and practice management.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
10%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
4%

1 to 2 years
13%

2 to 4 years
30%

4 to 6 years
14%

6 to 8 years
14%

8 to 10 years
15%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
36%

1 month
26%

1 to 3 months
4%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
4%

1 to 2 years
9%

2 to 4 years
7%

4 to 10 years
15%

Over 10 years
1%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
71%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
76%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
71%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
38%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
38%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
86%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
79%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
81%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
81%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
86%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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