Anesthesiology is a vital medical specialty that ensures a patient’s safety and comfort during surgery. Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthesia and medical care during the surgical procedure.
An anesthesiology career path can be challenging. It takes commitment and dedication to excel in medical education due to the critical nature of the work. Fortunately, with proper planning and perseverance, you can successfully enter the field and become a licensed and practicing professional.
Here’s how to pursue a career in anesthesiology.
1. Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
The first step towards an anesthesiology career is earning a four-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree. While there are no specific degree programs or required subjects, it’s helpful to choose majors related to biology, science, and math.
Doing so can give you a stronger scientific background, improving your chances of being accepted into medical school. It can also help you explore related specialties such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). For more information, check out reputable sites that explained CRNA’s vs anesthesiologist to discover which path is more suitable for you.
2. Pass the Medical College Admission Test
Many students start studying for the medical college admission test (MCAT) in the final year of their undergraduate program. This test is a requirement to apply for medical school. It can take about six months to prepare for the exam that tests your applied scientific skills, understanding, and knowledge.
If you need more time to study and get better scores, there are numerous resources to assist you. These include the online tools and advisors the Association of American Medical Colleges offers. You can also look for MCAT tutors and advisers to help you navigate the test’s challenges and set up a robust study plan. It’s essential to pass with excellent scores to make you a stronger candidate for medical school admission.
3. Get Admitted Into Medical School
Finally, you can apply to medical school with your MCAT results for a four-year program. The program provides the education needed for a career as an anesthesiologist in a lecture class and laboratory environment. The first two years will typically expose you to different medical and clinical specialties.
During your final two years, you can then start preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This is required to earn a medical license. The first portion of the exam can be taken while you’re still in medical school, while the final part is reserved for after you’ve earned your Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Most students take it after their first year of residency.
4. Complete A Residency Program
Once you’ve completed the medical school program, you’re finally ready for hands-on practice in anesthesiology. You will enroll and complete a four-year residency program at a hospital under the supervision of a senior doctor. The first year of residency mainly focuses on simulation training in perioperative medicine to practice for real-world critical care scenarios and attending lectures.
After demonstrating proficiency in these simulated cases, you can begin clinical rotations and learn to administer anesthesia in the presence of surgeons and nurses. Your final two years of residency allow you to advance your skills and receive specialized training that you’d be interested in.
5. Consider Enrolling in A Fellowship
The optional fellowship programs consist of one to two years of training if you want to specialize in a particular area of anesthesiology. The most common specialties are pain management, pediatric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, and critical care medicine.
You will work with experts for additional training to hone your skills in performing intricate procedures and complex patient conditions. Completing a fellowship can open up more possibilities for independent practice and academic roles in anesthesiology.
6. Obtain Your State License and Board Certification
The final step towards becoming a fully practicing anesthesiologist is to obtain your state license and board certification. While the requirements differ across states, the minimum prerequisite is completing the third step of your USMLE that you took during your residency period and submitting a record of your medical education.
Board certification isn’t compulsory but can improve your job and career prospects. You will need to pass the exam set by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and continue meeting their criteria to maintain your certification throughout your career.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing a career in anesthesiology can take up to 12 years of formal medical education and a few more years of training to achieve. The path begins with enrolling in medical school after you’ve obtained a bachelor’s degree.
Then after medical school, you’ll have to complete a residency program at a hospital or clinic and get the optional additional training with a fellowship. The final step is getting licensed and board certified in your state to become a fully independent and practicing anesthesiologist.
