The contents of this article relate to anesthesia careers typically found within the United States.
Anesthesiologists and other professionals in the specialized field of anesthesiology play a critical role in patient care.
In a general sense, they may administer or supervise the implementation of anesthesia-related medical practices. Anesthesiology teams also oversee and evaluate the quality of life before, during and after individuals are rendered unconscious for surgery or other medical procedures.
These positions also monitor or administer the medication a patient receives throughout the day of the operation and after it is completed.
There are different types of anesthesiologist careers, all of which require extensive study and skills in order to adhere to responsibilities.
Anesthesia Career Opportunities
Let’s take a look at some of the anesthesia careers that are common in the healthcare industry:
Anesthesiologist (M.D., D.O.)
Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who have completed undergraduate, pre-med, and medical school requirements as well as an internship and residency.
This person has an expert level of anesthesia experience and therefore is in charge of supervising assistants, technicians and other related staff. For patients in critical condition, they will oversee any necessary stabilization efforts, prior to surgery or procedures.
Anesthesiologists also oversee administered medication for all patients, and develop pre-op assessment plans for anesthesia.
Within the scope of an operation, the anesthesiologist is responsible for making sure the patient receives the proper administration of anesthesia (general, sedation, regional, etc.) and sustains a controlled level of unconsciousness, including but not limited to:
- Stability (of functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, and more.)
- High quality of life expectancy, post-op.
- Lack of pain.
Anesthesiologists may also specialize in the following:
- Cardiothoracic anesthesiology
- Obstetric anesthesiology
- Pediatric anesthesiology
After the operation and throughout any necessary therapy, an anesthesiologist continues to monitor pain and will make recommendations and/or may prescribe treatment as part of a pain management team.
Other Types of Anesthesiologist Careers
Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs)
Anesthesiologist Assistants are direct aids to licensed anesthesiologists, usually providing patient care under direction of their supervisors who work in a specific specialty. They are key members of anesthesia care teams and often provide the direct implementation of pre-op assessment plans.
This may include:
- Collecting health history information.
- Completing necessary testing, blood work.
- Preparing invasive and non-invasive preparatory procedures.
- Adjustment and induction of anesthesia.
- Administering post-op care.
- Assisting with critical care situations.
Certifications and requirements for AAs vary by state and/or local healthcare organization but generally include an undergraduate degree and pre-med course instruction. Graduate programs in anesthesia for AAs are also popular.
Anesthesiologist Technician (AT)
Anesthesiologist Technicians support the anesthesia team and ensure they have the proper tools to administer patient care.
Training and education requirements differ for these positions, but their responsibilities include the management and maintenance of equipment and systems.
Here are some of the requirements an AT or related position with additional certification may perform:
- Sanitization and overall preparation of patient monitoring devices.
- System calibration and set up.
- Troubleshooting procedures.
- Maintenance and routine replacement of equipment components.
Entry-level AT professionals have generally completed their secondary education. However, additional examination and training achievements are often required for these positions:
- Certified Anesthesiologist Technician (Cer.A.T.)
- Certified Anesthesia Technologist (Cer.A.T.T)
Enhance Your Anesthesia Career with AerMed Logistix
Searching for types of anesthesiologist careers is tiring and the results can be fairly inaccurate if you don’t know where to look. That’s where AerMed Logistix comes in. Not only will we help you find a financially and professionally rewarding position in the anesthesia field, we cut through red tape to place our clients in positions that make a difference.
You’ll find us at events around the Chicagoland area and in other locations across the globe, where we continue to grow our connections within medical networks. For a direct conversation about your career goals, contact us today to get started. Our team looks forward to assisting you with your next career move!