So, You Want to Become an Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiology can be a promising career in health care. Along with providing comfort and pain relief to patients, you’ll also play a key role in monitoring patients as they undergo surgery.
Whether you work on behalf of a private clinic or a large hospital, there is always a need for qualified and credentialed anesthesiologists. Life as an anesthesiologist can be a rewarding and lucrative career for those who choose to pursue it.
If you’re interested in becoming an anesthesiologist in Hawaii, read on to learn more about what life as an anesthesiologist entails, your education requirements, how to become certified, salary expectations and more.
Life as an Anesthesiologist
As physicians trained in providing anesthesia medication and services, anesthesiologist can be an exciting career for those interested in working with patients.
Anesthesiologists generally work alongside surgeons and other providers to assist in performing medical procedures. You may be expected to work in the operating room (OR) during an ongoing procedure or alongside a physician and patient in an exam room to provide localized anesthesia for a minor, out-patient procedure.
Anesthesiologists also serve another important role: educating patients about what to expect during their procedure and making sure that they are prepared and informed before undergoing surgery.
Being a successful anesthesiologist requires a great deal of expertise and specialization. Every patient and every surgical situation is different. You will be responsible for minimizing your patient’s pain and promoting a successful procedure and recovery. As such, anesthesiologists require specialized training to eventually become board-certified and able to work alongside patients.
Education
Like any potential physician, anesthesiologists will need to have a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, a medical license from an accredited medical school, and the completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency. Your post-high school education may involve up to twelve years or more of combined study.
While studying for your bachelor’s degree, you will want to prepare for your MCAT, or Medical College Admission test. This is the entrance exam that you will need to take in order to be admitted to medical school. Many future medical students take their MCAT exams during their junior year of their bachelor’s degree.
To prepare for your MCAT and for medical school, it can be helpful to take classes in organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry and public health. You may also want to consider degrees and programs that offer pre-health or pre-med programs.
Once you have graduated with your bachelor’s degree and have taken your MCAT exam, you will want to enroll in a medical school that offers an accredited Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Medical school will generally involve at least four years of study and hands-on experience serving in clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics. Your curriculum will involve courses where you will learn about the fundamentals of medicine as well as science courses such as microbiology. Anesthesiologists will graduate with a well-rounded background in general medicine.
During medical school, you will prepare for your four-year residency. During your residency, you will receive more specialized training in anesthesiology. You will be expected to apply to multiple programs, sometimes in states across the country.
Once you have been selected by a residency program, you will complete clinical rotations where you will practice anesthetic medicine under the supervision of a senior anesthesiologist. Life as an anesthesiology resident can be demanding between long hours and, sometimes, low pay. But once you complete your residency, you will soon be eligible for board certification and employment as an anesthesiologist. Your next steps involve passing whichever exams or courses are required by licensing boards like the American Board of Anesthesiology.
Some associations, professional groups and clinics may also offer additional training through the form of fellowships. While not always a requirement for securing a job as an anesthesiologist, anesthesiology can be a competitive field. A fellowship can provide the additional expertise that can help make you a more appealing candidate in applying for your dream job.
Credentials
Successfully completing medical school and your anesthesiology residency will allow you to become eligible for board certification. There are numerous boards that offer accreditation of anesthesiologists. Boards ensure that accredited anesthesiologists meet high, professional standards. Successfully being hired as an anesthesiologist by a clinic or hospital requires that you be certified.
One of the main boards, that you will want to become accredited with, is the American Board of Anesthesiology. Becoming accredited involves passing staged exams where you will demonstrate clinical competence and your knowledge of anesthesiology. These exams may be taken during or after your residency.
Other certifications include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), among others. Some certificate programs may require exams while others may also require continuing education throughout your career.
Some programs and clinics may offer additional fellowship training upon hire or can connect you with professional organizations that offer classes and networking opportunities.
Salary Expectations
As a highly specialized form of medicine, anesthesiologists may enjoy a lucrative career even early on in their careers. In Hawaii, as of January 2021, the average salary was $413,900, with salaries ranging between $308,252 to $519,739, according to Salary.com. Salaries may vary based on where you are employed, how long you have been working as an anesthesiologist, and whether your clinic offers profit-sharing.
A Future with IMC
Anesthesiologists have plenty of opportunities for finding fulfilling careers in the field, especially in Hawaii where the demand for qualified, talented anesthesiologists is high. But it can be a challenge to find the right opportunity upon finishing your education.
So why not choose IMC? As the premier anesthesiology group serving patients and physicians on Oahu, we provide the resources anesthesiologists need to succeed in the field, including fellowships that provide additional training beyond your residency and medical school. Enjoy access to an accelerated membership track, flexible scheduling, relocation assistance, and profit sharing when you join IMC.
Learn more about a career in anesthesiology and with IMC by visiting our Careers page.
