Additional information

Specialist Anaesthetist

Anaesthesiologists are responsible for safely administering anaesthetics to patients in healthcare facilities, usually hospital and clinic facilities.

As an anaesthetics specialist, you will need to have technical, medical and surgical skills. You will also need crisis management skills as part of an anaesthetist’s responsibilities will be to make fast decisions in high pressure, sometimes critical situations.

Aside from that, you will also have to have an in-depth knowledge of how the human body functions, the effects of anaesthetics on the body and how it interacts with other drugs.

Anaesthetists usually work as part of a team of other health professionals. They might also help patients to manage chronic pain.

How to be a Specialist Anaesthetist in South Africa

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

Different educational institutions may have different admission requirements; however, you will typically be required to demonstrate competency in the following subjects:

English
Mathematics
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences

Get the Required Qualifications

To become a Specialist Anaesthetist in South Africa, you will need to have the following qualifications:

Certificate (National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (V) with Bachelor’s Degree Pass)
Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Medicine)
Post-graduate Degree (Master of Medicine in Anaesthesia)*

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

Specialist anaesthetists in South Africa typically study for about 10 years.

The first 6 years are spent on theoretical training to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) and the other four years in post-grad studies to obtain a Master of Medicine in Anaesthesia.

In addition to the 6 years of undergraduate study and four years of post-graduate study, specialist anaesthetists also usually spend 1 year in student internship and 1 year in community service.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

Specialist anaesthetists have many job opportunities in South Africa. Typically, anaesthetists work in state and private hospitals while some work in private clinics or other similar healthcare facilities.

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about specialist anaesthetists in South Africa, contact the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA)