Anesthesiologist
An Anesthesiologist is a physician that performs anesthesia-related procedures before, during and after surgical operations. He or she is expected to have a mastery of knowledge and skills regarding the utilization of clinical substances that induce unconsciousness and loss of physical sensation. An Anesthesiologist is tasked to assess the physical condition of every patient prior to the surgery, and coordinate with other surgeons to come up with a concrete and customized plan on the kind and amount of anesthesia to be applied during the surgery.
The job of an Anesthesiologist does not end after the operation, as he or she still has to determine whether the anesthesia applied does not cause complications or long term side effects on patients. Aside from this he or she is also responsible to evaluate if patients still have to take further anesthetic procedures after the operation. He or she has to consult with patients regarding future medications and provide recommendations regarding proper pain management.
An Anesthesiologist is expected to have completed a pre-medical degree, a medical degree, and a specialization in the said specific field. In the United States, Anesthesiologists are certified by two recognized boards on anesthetic specialization: the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) and the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). An Anesthesiologist is only given such title only after four years of solid residency training in a medical institution, concentrating on direct administration of anesthetic procedures. An Anesthesiologist in the US earns as much as $300,000 every year.
