Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who provide medical care to patients during surgery. They are responsible for making sure the patient is put under anesthesia in order to have their surgery performed. Doctors who wish to be anesthesiologists must attend anesthesiologist schooling to become certified. Students in college who wish to become anesthesiologists, must complete an undergraduate degree, finish medical school, and then complete an anesthesiology residency program. Anesthesiology is a very rewarding career with a very high pay potential for those who are tops in their field. Only choose a career in anesthesiology if you are determined, intelligent, and possess critical thinking skills, and great communication skills.

Anesthesiologist schooling consists of learning how to evaluate a patient before surgery, consult with a surgical team of healthcare professionals, and how to create a care plan for each specific patient. Anesthesiologists need to know about life support, pain medication, medical diagnostics, and pre and post surgery care. Anesthesiologists are also medical doctors, so they can utilize their extensive training and experience to better care for their patients. Anesthesiologists must know how to make a patient feel comfortable before surgery. People skills are important for anesthesiologists because they deal on a daily basis with sick people who require surgery and need to be reassured that they will be alright. An anesthesiologist is usually the last person a patient sees right before they are administered the anesthetic and fall asleep for surgery. Once a person awakes from surgery, they go to the recovery room of the hospital. Once in recovery, the anesthesiologist administers more pain medication and confirms that the patient is functioning normally.

Doctors attend anesthesiologist schooling in order to prepare for a career that is in high demand. There is always a shortage of doctors trained in the use of anesthesia. Anesthesiologists work in hospital intensive care units, surgical wards, pain clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and infusion centers. Learning how to prepare a patient for emergency surgery is critical and a mandatory skill for an anesthesiologist to have. Anesthesiologists also have to know how to communicate with patients and other members of the healthcare team.

Anesthesiology training programs in the United States require four years of residency for board certification. A four year residency includes a one year surgical internship and three years of anesthesiology training. Training consists of all phases of anesthesiology and when it is used including, pediatric anesthesiology, obstetric anesthesiology, and critical care.

Due to the shortage of doctors who are anesthesiologists, nurses can also be trained to give anesthesia to patients. CRNA's are certified registered nurse anesthetists. These nurses have also attended anesthesiologist schooling for their preparation. In order for a nurse to gain these credentials, they must have a bachelor's degree in nursing and attend a graduate program in anesthesiology. CRNA's are a critical part of a healthcare team and can perform the same functions as a doctor trained in anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists are a major part of the healthcare team.