Anesthesiologists: Career & Application Guide

What do anesthesiologists do?

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

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
Coordinate and direct work of nurses, medical technicians, and other health care providers.
Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
Confer with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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