RUReadyND - Career Profile

Anesthesiologist

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

This career is part of the Healthcare & Human Services cluster Physical Health pathway.

Monitors patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteracts adverse reactions or complications.
Records type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
Provides and maintains life support and airway management and helps prepare patients for emergency surgery.
Administers anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
Examines patient, obtain medical history, and uses diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
Positions patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
Coordinates administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
Decides when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
Confers with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.
Orders laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.

You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
Exposed to radiation more than once a month
Work in this occupation involves use of special protective items such as a breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suit, or radiation protection

Medical Doctor (MD) — Evaluate symptoms, runs tests to determine what is wrong with a patient and prescribes treatment.
Obstetrical Anesthesiologist
Staff Anesthesiologist
Staff Anesthetist