Pediatric anesthesiologists administer anesthesia to young patients during medical procedures. To become one, a person must obtain a medical degree, complete a general anesthesia residency program, and a one-year fellowship. They also need to pass a licensing exam. Prior to medical school, a bachelor’s degree in a health-related subject is recommended. After medical school, a one-year internship and a three-year residency program in general anesthesiology are required. A one-year fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology is also necessary to become a pediatric anesthetist.
Pediatric anesthesiologists are highly trained physicians who administer anesthesia to young patients undergoing surgical and invasive medical procedures. They have expert knowledge of the unique concerns of caring for infants and children in operating rooms. A person who wants to become a pediatric anesthesiologist must obtain a medical degree, participate in a general anesthesia residency program, and complete a one-year fellowship dedicated to the specialty. With the proper training and success in a licensing exam, the physician can become a pediatric anesthetist in a children’s hospital or an outpatient surgical center.
A person who wants to become a pediatric anesthesiologist usually needs to complete a bachelor’s degree program first. He or she can prepare for medical school by majoring in biology or a health-related subject. Many future physicians apply for internships or entry-level assistant positions at local physicians’ offices while working on their degrees to gain valuable first-hand experience in the field of healthcare. Near the end of a baccalaureate program, an individual can submit applications to accredited medical schools and take a written national entrance exam.
Once accepted into the school, a student can expect to spend the first two years primarily in lecture and laboratory courses. New students receive detailed instruction in a variety of disciplines, including organic chemistry, disease pathology, and physiology. Many schools offer courses related to the practice of anesthesiology as part of the core curriculum or elective options for students interested in the field. The last two years of medical school usually involve ongoing lab work and rotating internships at a local hospital. A successful student can earn a Doctor of Medicine degree and begin applying for an internship in general medicine.
The one-year internship is generally similar to that completed as a medical student. A new doctor has the opportunity to observe and assist professionals from different specialties, including pediatrics. Upon completion of the internship, an individual can enter a three-year residency program in general anesthesiology. As a resident, a physician continues to attend lectures and labs, as well as work alongside established anesthesiologists. He or she develops practical skills and knowledge essential to becoming a pediatric anesthetist.
Physicians who want to get into general anesthesiology positions can do so immediately after completing their residency, but a person who wants to become a pediatric anesthetist often needs to obtain additional training. A one-year fellowship provides a rigorous introduction to the specialty, where a new anesthetist works long hours in operating rooms, under the supervision and guidance of medical mentors. After completing the scholarship, he can take a board certification exam to obtain a license and begin practicing unsupervised.
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