An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor with a specialty degree in anesthesiology. They work alongside surgeons and other physicians, administering medications in order to anesthetize the patient to pain during operations and other medical procedures. In addition to administering the anesthetic, the doctor monitors the vital functions of the patient.
History
An anesthesiologist must receive his bachelor's degree in a pre-medical program from an accredited university or college before being considered for medical school. Courses during this program will focus on scientific study and include core classes in biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, anatomy and mathematics.
Considerations
Once you complete your undergraduate coursework, you need to take the MCAT, or Medical College Admissions Test. You will apply to medical schools after taking this examination in order to continue with your college requirements for a specialty in anesthesiology.
Time Frame
After college, the anesthesiologist will need to complete four years of medical school. During the medical school program, different areas of medicine will be covered in the courses. Classes required by most medical schools include pathology, immunology, anatomy, physiology, cellular basis of medicine, genetics, medical ethics and molecular biology. Both classroom and clinical training are required to complete the medical school program.
Features
After medical school and a year of serving as an intern, the anesthesiologist will start his residency program and take courses that deal with this specialty. Classes will focus on anesthetics, cardiology, surgery and pharmacology. After the residency is complete, the anesthesiologist will still need to take continuing education courses in related medical fields.
Potential
You can also take college courses to earn a degree to become a nurse anesthesiologist. This master's degree program will give the nurse the ability to administer anesthesia in a medical setting. The graduate program takes two to three years and requires that the nurse hold a bachelor's degree and be licensed as a registered nurse.
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