Anesthesiologists

What the job really is

Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1211
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
• Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
• Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
• Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
• Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
• Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
• Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
• Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
• Confer with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.
• Order laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Inform students and staff of types and methods of anesthesia administration, signs of complications, and emergency methods to counteract reactions.
• Provide medical care and consultation in many settings, prescribing medication and treatment and referring patients for surgery.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, AetherPalm InfusiCalc, Anesthesia gas concentration monitors, Anesthesia machine software, Anesthesia monitors, AtStaff Physician Scheduler

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Pediatric Surgeons
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Cardiologists
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Anesthesiologist Assistants
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Anesthesiologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.