Anaesthetist
Anaesthetists are doctors who give anaesthetics and pain relief to patients undergoing surgery or medical procedures.
- Potential salary
- £40,000 starter to £145,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 40 to 45. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota.
- Career area
- Health and care
- Where they might work
- You could work in an NHS or private hospital. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
- A typical task
- assess patients' suitability for anaesthetics
- Subjects that may help
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- Typical route
- To become an anaesthetist, you'll need to complete:
- Interest area used here
- Health and laboratory science, Helping and teaching
What you might do
- assess patients' suitability for anaesthetics
- reassure patients and explain the risks and side effects of anaesthesia
- attend pre-operation briefings with surgeons and theatre staff
- work out the type and level of anaesthetic needed
- monitor patients during an operation and respond to any issues
- offer pain relief, for instance during childbirth
More tasks (2)
- support medical teams like cardiac arrest or trauma
- provide services for people living with chronic pain
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of medicine
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
More skills
- the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- concentration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- To become an anaesthetist, you'll need to complete:
- a 5-year degree in medicine from a medical school recognised by the General Medical Council
- a 2-year foundation programme of general training
- specialist training which can take 7 to 8 years
- You might be able to do a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances and what qualifications you hold.
- If you already have a degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine.
- There is a lot of competition for places, so it's important to check the entry requirements of medical schools before you apply.
- When you apply for a course in medicine, you may be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) .
- It tests for skills you'll need on the course, such as:
- critical thinking
- problem solving
- data analysis
- decision making
- Medical schools will expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement .
- You'll usually need:
- 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
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
- University Clinical Aptitude Test
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Medicine
Direct qualifying route. Anaesthesia is postgraduate training after a medical degree.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You may be able to apply for a place on a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in a healthcare setting.
- This takes 5 years to do and you would need the support of your employer to apply.
- On successful completion, you could progress to the 2-year foundation training programme, then move on to specialist training.
- Employers will set their own entry requirements.
- equivalent entry requirements
- guide to apprenticeships
Career progression
- With experience, you could:
- become a consultant anaesthetist
- lead or manage an anaesthesia department
- teach medical students, trainee doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics
- carry out research, for example the development of localised anaesthetics or modelling patient reaction to sedation, using artificial intelligence
Registration and requirements
you'll need to register with the General Medical Council
pass enhanced background checks
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 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