Anaesthetist

To become an anaesthetist you'll need to complete:

• a 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
• a 2-year foundation programme of general training
• up to 8 years of specialist training

You may be able to join a 6-year degree course in medicine if you have no A levels or equivalent qualifications in science. This includes a one-year pre-medical foundation year.

If you already have an upper second class of first class science degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. Some universities will also accept non-science graduates.

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

There's a lot of competition for places on medical degrees. Most university admissions departments will expect you to have done some relevant paid or voluntary experience.

Entry requirements

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements
• BioMedical Admissions Test
• University Clinical Aptitude Test

Registration

• you'll need to register with the General Medical Council

Further information

You can find more details about this career from the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Health Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of medicine
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You may:

• prepare patients for anaesthesia by explaining any risks or side effects
• give anaesthetics to patients
• observe and monitor patients during surgery
• resuscitate and stabilise patients in the emergency department
• relieve pain during childbirth
• ease pain after an operation
• manage acute and chronic pain
• help patients receiving treatments like electric shock therapy
• complete administration tasks and deal with patients on wards or in clinics

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.