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Why People in
Anesthesiology Can Breathe Easy
An
estimated 40 million anesthetics are administered each year in the
U.S., according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. It's no
surprise that those involved in the field are in hot demand.
For qualified professionals in anesthesiology, finding a great job is
practically...painless.
Anesthesia is freedom from pain. Anesthesiologists manage the pain of
patients before, during and after surgery. They could work at
hospitals, doctors' offices or dental clinics.
Anesthesiologists provide or participate in more than 90 percent of all
anesthetic procedures, says the American Society of Anesthesiologists
(ASA).
Anesthesiologists are doctors. In the U.S., they complete a four-year
degree program and four years of medical school. Then they enter a
four-year anesthesiology residence program. That's according to the ASA.
Opportunities are looking great for all anesthesiologists.
"An attractive feature of being an anesthesiologist is that we are very
heavily recruited," says Craig Baldry.
"The employment outlook for anesthesiologists...is excellent. Most
hospitals would welcome a new anesthesiologist into any variety of
different anesthesia practices. Probably the most in demand are
specialists in pediatrics and chronic pain."
The Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society (CAS) says that during their
residency, anesthesiologists are extensively trained in human
physiology (how the body works). They pay particular attention to the
brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. They become experts on the
drugs that are used in anesthesia and intensive care medicine.
Anesthesiologists give more intravenous drugs than all other types of
doctors combined. They are the only doctors with expert knowledge of
the extremely powerful drugs used to anesthetize people. That's
according to the CAS.
R. Lawrence Sullivan Jr. is an anesthesiologist and the chair of the
communications committee of the ASA. "There are many excellent
'practice' opportunities for physicians who have completed four years
of post-medical school residency in anesthesiology," he says.
"There are numerous practice opportunities in every situation,
including private practice, military, county hospitals and especially
in academic institutions. The reason is that there is an increased
demand for anesthesiologists to attend patients in traditional hospital
and ambulatory settings, as well as during many diagnostic procedures."
According to Sullivan, the most popular subspecialty is pain
management. Others include critical care, obstetrics and cardiac and
pediatric anesthesiology.
Keith Ruskin is an associate professor of anesthesiology at Yale
University's medical school. "What draws medical students into
anesthesiology are interests in physiology, the study of how the body
works; pharmacology, how drugs work in the body; and technology."
The money's not bad, either. They are some of the highest paid doctors
around.
According to the ASA, anesthesiologists are considered perioperative
(all-around) physicians. They evaluate the patient before surgery and
consult with the surgical team. They provide pain control during
surgery. They also supervise care after surgery and discharge the
patient from the recovery unit.
Sullivan is positive. "The need for physicians with these skills will
not go away. It will only grow."
Other career opportunities in anesthesiology are growing as well.
Nurses administering anesthetics is nothing new. In fact, nurses were
the first professional group to provide anesthesia services in the
U.S., according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
(AANA). After its start in the late 1800s, nurse anesthesia has since
become recognized as the first clinical nursing specialty.
"Certified registered nurse anesthetists [CRNAs] are being actively
recruited, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
manpower survey," says Sandra Tunajek. She works for the AANA.
This survey says the increased demand for CRNAs is due to a number of
reasons. Nurses are retiring. There are more operating rooms than in
the past. Caseloads have increased and anesthesia services have
expanded.
"Currently, CRNAs are heavily involved in obstetrical services," says
Tunajek. "They provide spinal taps, epidurals, and participate in 73
percent of all C-sections performed annually. Additionally, the overall
shortage of nurse and physician providers make a career as a nurse
anesthetist rewarding both personally and professionally."
Plus, they are the highest paid advance practice nurses. According to
Tunajek, CRNAs average between $86,000 and $90,000. They also practice
in every setting where anesthesia is administered.
The creation of brand new jobs is certainly a sign of unprecedented
growth. This is the case with anesthesiologist assistants.
Anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) work under the direction of an
anesthesiologist to accomplish the anesthesia care plan.
AAs are trained in a professional graduate-level program.
"It is a young and growing profession with excellent support from
anesthesiologists," says Sherri L. Oken. She is a representative for
the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants.
Another career, still in the beginning stages of formal schooling, is
that of anesthesia technicians.
"The vast majority of technicians in the country have been trained on
the job because, up until a few years ago, there were no schools," says
Gail Walker. She is president of the American Society of Anesthesia
Technologists and Technicians (ASATT).
"The ASATT is hoping to become proactive in helping to establish more
formal programs in the country."
According to Walker:
•Anesthesia technicians must have a thorough knowledge of the
set-up, operation and troubleshooting of anesthesia delivery systems,
gas analyzers, EKG monitors, pulse oximeters, rapid infusion devices
and all other monitors used in a patient care setting.
•They are familiar with various aseptic techniques used for
cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing and storing equipment and supplies.
•They must know basic anatomy and physiology as it applies to
anesthesia care.
•They help prepare patients for invasive monitoring and procedures
by the anesthesia care provider.
"The job outlook for anesthesia technology is very bright," says
Walker. And with the current demand for anesthetic services, anyone
interested in getting into the field can breathe easy.
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Net
Sites
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American
Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Learn more about a career as a nurse anesthetist
http://www.aana.com/Default.aspx
American Academy of
Anesthesiologist Assistants
Information on education and accreditation
http://www.anesthetist.org/
Case Western Reserve
University
Check out the program for anesthesiologist assistants
http://www.anesthesiaprogram.com/
American Society of
Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians
Gives some background
http://www.asatt.org/bandd.html
The End of the Shift
Read this true story from an anesthesiologist
http://www.cas.ca/about/history/stories/
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