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· What is an Anesthesiologist?
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A physician is a person qualified to practice medicine. Within this occupation, there are different fields, broken up into sections. One of these fields is called Anesthesiology, which is the practice of medicine dedicated to the relief of pain and total care of the surgical patient before, during, and after surgery (ASA). An anesthesiologist is a medical personnel who administers anesthetic drugs during surgery or diagnosis (Encarta). After completing the Keirsey Temperament Sorter on-line test, I discovered that I was an idealist. I later answered additional questions and by putting the information together, my results matched those of a healer. From a list of healer related jobs, I chose an anesthesiologist. Healers have a strong sense of care, which is a necessity in many jobs in the medical field, but specifically anesthesiology. An anesthesiologist has the responsibility of: 1) provide continuous medical evaluation of the patient; 2) monitor and control- heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature and body fluid balance; 3) control the patient’s pain and level of unconsciousness to make conditions ideal for a safe and successful surgery (Encarta). To be successful in this, anesthesiologists also need to be cooperative, which is an additional trait of healer idealists.
Anesthesiologists have a diverse amount of requirements to obtain the job. The schooling is extensive with requirements of completing a four-year college program, four years of medical school, and then a four-year anesthesiology residency-training program. Most anesthesiologists either majors in chemistry or biology, and need to receive a bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum education required (CIC). Skills that anesthesiologists often need to acquire are active listening, good judgment, critical thinking skills, monitoring skills, and good communication (ACI). Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in biology, physics, English, mathematics, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Humanities and the social sciences are additional courses that some students chose to take (OOH). Since the field of medicine is frequently discovering new methods, anesthesiologists must also be willing to take additional classes, when necessary.
For many anesthesiologists, the working conditions take a while to adjust to. According to a 1994 survey, 50% of all full time workers worked 60 hours a week or more. They also reported that their hours were often irregular. The job of an anesthesiologist is very pressuring and they must have emotional stability (JW,I). All the negatives of being an anesthesiologist pay off, because out of every occupation, anesthesiologists are among the top paid (OOH). According to a survey done in 1998, medical residents averaged a salary from $34,100 to about $42,100 (OOH). However, after residency the pay increases tremendously to a starting salary of $126,000 to $220,000 (ACI). Along with the salary, the benefits usually include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance and pension plans.
Some people feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities that are taken on by becoming an anesthesiologist, but believe that it is a job that suits them best. In this case, various people choose to be nurse anesthetists. Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who work, usually in hospitals, with anesthesiologists or another physician. They generally work 36 hours a week, which is a considerably less amount than anesthesiologists, and require less skills. Although they still get the same benefits as anesthesiologists, such as paid vacations and holidays, health insurance, and pension plans, their salary is less. While anesthesiologists earn between $126,000 to $220,000 a year, nurse anesthetists earn $22,000 to $42,000 a year. To people who want to be an anesthesiologist but don’t feel they have the time or the skills, this is an ideal job (CIC).
After completing the research and getting more information about anesthesiologists, my view and feelings on the job have varied. I think that I would like the job a lot and the many of the skills match the skills I already have. However, I don’t think that I would be able to attend school for an additional 10-16 years. Besides for that, though, I think that all the other aspects of the job are excellent. The pay of anesthesiologists is among the top of all of the occupations and the benefits are excellent. Also, the outlook for anesthesiologists is expected to increase within the next few years, which is also a good benefit of joining the field of physicians (OOH). For someone who has the patience, the time, and the desire to make money, this is the perfect job.