Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: More Career Profiles
Pediatric Anesthesiologist |
Career OverviewAnesthesiology is called the crossroads of medicine. On an average day, an anesthesiologist may encounter patients of all ages, with a variety of conditions. Pediatric anesthesiologists may treat infants in the neonatal intensive care unit or young adults undergoing an operation to repair a physical injury. Pediatric anesthesiologists may have access to all types of child patients and all types of conditions.
They must have a ready knowledge of the applications of anesthetics in pediatric care, and a working knowledge of physiology, surgery, and pharmacology. It’s important for anesthesiologist to know how a variety of conditions affect the human body so that they can effectively use anesthetics to manage pain and vital functions of patients undergoing surgery. All this knowledge must pertain specifically to the care and treatment of children, from infants to adolescents.
The nature of anesthesiology is such that anesthesiologists must function as general practitioners with a working knowledge of many different areas of medicine. They must have some background in general surgery, in internal medicine, and in critical care to do their job. Again, pediatric anesthesiologists must focus this knowledge to the care and treatment of children, whose physiology differs from that of adults.
Not only do pediatric anesthesiologists have the opportunity to encounter a variety of medical cases, they work in a variety of settings, sometimes in a single day. For example, a general anesthesiologist may spend a considerable portion of their time in the operating room, treating patients undergoing surgery. They may also spend a portion of their time visiting patients on general wards to discuss medical histories and make physical assessments of patient conditions to determine the suitability of using certain anesthetics.
Although interaction between anesthesiologists and patients tend to be minimal, even in the treatment of minors, many anesthesiologists do function as counselors during the brief period that they meet with patients. Using interpersonal skills is essential during the brief window of interaction, as most patients have very real concerns about the effect of anesthetics, particularly if they are being used to induce and sustain unconsciousness for an extended period.
Anesthesiologists often suggest that the most rewarding aspect of their career are the post-operative rounds they make, often towards the end of their shifts on a regular day. This brief opportunity to discuss the status of their patients after treatment has been administered offers a unique opportunity for anesthetists to appreciate the important role that they play in promoting patient comfort and treatment.
|
Career RequirementsA pediatric anaesthesiologist must fulfil the education and experience requirements established by federal and state government to practice medicine.
For entry into any education program to become an anaesthesiologist, a doctor of education degree is required from an approved school of medicine. It is often mandatory that candidates complete at least four year of graduate medical education in anaesthesiology before practicing independently. Rotations in pediatrics may also be required.
To work as a pediatric anaesthesiologist, an individual must complete four years of medical school, a one-year internship, and three years of residency. An additional fellowship in pediatrics is generally required as well, usually for a minimum of one year.
Due to the vastness and diversity of the practical knowledge required for a physician to perform as an anaesthesiologist, rotations in different areas of medical practice and internships in these areas are generally considered vital to professional development, even if the eventual specialisation is in pediatric anaesthesiology.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookMany health care insurance plan providers are under considerable pressure from customers and physicians to increase patient access to specialists.
This said, the job outlook for pediatric anesthesiologists is extremely promising: the field is a diverse one. It offers qualified medical doctors the opportunity to deal directly with patients, act as policy makers, consultants, and researchers into the application of anesthetics. The field allows physicians to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in a field that combines chemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry.
The field looks set to remain particularly lucrative, dynamic, and open to qualified and enthusiastic graduates of medical schools with a general interest in treating children.
|
Career TrackSpecializing in anesthesiology is both a rewarding and challenging career move for medical doctors. Whilst the majority of anesthesiologists work in hospitals, affiliated to surgeries, many others are involved in primary research into the uses of anesthetics; in medical schools, in government laboratories, or in industries, such as pharmacology.
Anesthesiologists who decide to work in academia, frequently combine patient care with teaching and research. The special educational pathways for this type of career are well outlined and defined in this particular field. More information is available from the American Society of Anesthesiologists at www.asahq.org.
|
CompensationThe average reported salary for a typical pediatric anesthesiologist in the United States is approximately $266,000 per year. Depending upon their qualifications and experience, most pediatric anesthesiologists in the United States earn between $240,000 and $280,000 per year.
|
|