Anaesthetist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

To become an anaesthetist, you'll need to complete:

• a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation programme of general training
• specialist training which can take up to 8 years

A medical degree normally takes 5 years to complete. Some courses have the option to include an extra year if you want to study a subject further. This is called an intercalated year.

You might be able to study a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances or if you have not studied enough sciences. Check with the admissions department where you want to study.

If you already have a degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. There’s lots of competition and entry requirements vary, so check with the admissions department where you want to study.

Entry tests

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT).

They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

Work experience

Medical schools will also expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

From September 2024, you might be able to do a doctor degree apprenticeship which will take around 5 years to complete.

The apprenticeship is recognised by the General Medical Council .

You could then progress to the foundation course of general training before completing the specialist training.

Entry requirements:

Volunteering

You can get valuable caring skills from volunteering in health, education, charity or social care settings. You can find opportunities through:

• the NHS
• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Do IT

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• knowledge of medicine
• the ability to work well with your hands
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• maths skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to read English
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• active listening skills
• customer service skills
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of biology
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals

What you'll do:

Anaesthetists are doctors who give anaesthetics to patients before, during and after surgery.

In this role you could:

• explain the risks and side effects of anaesthesia
• give anaesthetics and monitor patients during surgery
• help reduce pain after an operation or during childbirth
• manage chronic pain services
• help patients receiving specialist treatments

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £44,000
Experienced : £96,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a consultant anaesthetist
• lead or manage an anaesthesia department
• teach medical students, trainee doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics
• become a senior consultant if you have a lot of experience and you're on the General Medical Council specialist register

As a specialist or consultant, you'll usually earn a much higher salary.