Diploma in Anaesthesia

Diploma in Anaesthesia is a 2 year postgraduate degree that is pursued by candidates after they have completed their higher secondary education. The minimum aggregate required for admission to Diploma in Anaesthesia is 50%. The curriculum of the programme has been designed to offer training and understanding of anaesthesia and administer dosages of the same to patients according to the severity and type of illness or procedure. The syllabus of the Diploma in Anaesthesia includes subjects like Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Anaesthetic Procedures, and Chronic Pain Therapy. 

There is no specific entrance test for this degree course. Admission to Diploma in Anaesthesia is done on merit basis. The average course fee for Diploma in Anaesthesia is between INR 56,000 to INR 1,00,000 INR. The entire coursework is conducted in regular mode. Some of the best colleges in India that offer this diploma degree are LLRM Medical College, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, B.J. Medical College, and Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Science. After completing a Diploma in Anaesthesia, graduates can seek work as Anaesthesia Assistants, Clinical Assistants, and Technical assistants. The average salary of professional graduates of Diploma in Anaesthesia ranges from INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000 per annum. 

Here are some of the course highlights of the Diploma in Anaesthesia:

• Candidates must have cleared their class 12 board exams in the stream of science from a recognised board of education such as CBSE, ICSE or State Board.
• They must have secured a minimum aggregate score of 45% or more in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics at the qualifying examination.
• Entrance Tests may be conducted at the University-level, therefore, candidates must have a valid University-level entrance test score/rank.

In order to pursue a 2-year Diploma programme in Anaesthesia, all aspirants will be required to go through a defined admission process for Diploma in Anaesthesia course. While each college or institution offering the course will define their own admission process and guidelines, there are general guidelines that each aspirant must follow. There are two prominent admission Diploma in Anaesthesia admission processes followed in India, viz. University-level entrance-based and merit-based admission processes. Here are the admission processes and guidelines for Diploma in Anaesthesia.

Entrance-Based Admissions

Under entrance-based admissions, for Diploma in Anaesthesia, the candidates may be asked to attempt a University-level entrance test on the stipulated date and time. 

After attempting the entrance test, the respective university or college will release an appropriate merit list containing the name, score and/or rank of the candidate.

Based on these ranks and/or scores, the candidates will be called to participate in further selection processes, which may include a Personal Interview and/or Group Discussion.

The overall performance of the candidate in the entrance test and the personal interview and/or group discussion, candidates will be shortlisted for admission.

Merit-Based Admissions

Candidates will be asked to appear for the selection processes as has been defined by the respective colleges for offering admission to Diploma in Anaesthesia on merit-basis.

These selection processes may include a Personal Interview and/or Group Discussion, as per the discretion of the college.

Depending on the overall performance of the candidates in the selection parameters such as the past academic record and the performance in the personal interview and/or group discussion, the university/college will offer admissions to the prospective students in the course.

Counselling-Based Admission

Another uncommon yet viable admission process is the counselling-based admission processes, which are usually common among universities with many constituent or affiliated colleges/institutions. This method of admission can be found in both entrance test and merit-based admission processes.

Under entrance-based admission process, the universities will release a merit list containing the names of each applicant, in the order of merit which will be calculated using the scores obtained in the entrance test.

Under merit-based admission, merit lists will contain the names of the candidates in the order of their merit, which will be calculated based on the information provided by them in the application form and documents that have been furnished.

Depending on the rank/score of the candidate in the merit list, the university will call the student to take part in the counselling processes, which requires them to select the course and college of their choice.

On the basis of their choice of college and course, their rank/score and the availability of the seats in the course, the candidate will be offered seats.

Note: It should be noted that the admission processes that have been mentioned above are general and are subject to change based on the requirements of individual colleges. Therefore, candidates are advised to check out the admission processes and eligibility criteria for the respective courses.

If you wish to pursue the 2-year diploma programme, you will be charged an annual course fee for Diploma in Anaesthesia ranging anywhere between 56,000 to 4,00,000 INR. The average Diploma in Anaesthesia course fee will depend on various factors such as the ownership of the institution, the popularity of the course, and much more. Government colleges offering Diploma in Anaesthesia courses are comparatively cheaper than that offered by private colleges. The course structure for some of the popular colleges in India are listed below

First Year:

Second Year:

Here is a difference between the two most popular courses for Anesthesia.

The career scope and job options after Diploma in Anaesthesia course are immense as anaesthetic technicians are crucial components of the healthcare industry. With the number of hospitals and the overall population increase in the country, the need for skilled and qualified anaesthesia technicians will increase as well. There are several employment opportunities for graduates of the course to find a course in the field of anaesthesia, some of which include:

• Government and Private Hospitals
• Government and Private Dental Clinics
• Health Care Centres
• Medical Colleges/Universities

Under any one of the employment areas in the healthcare sector, graduates with Diploma in Anaesthesia will find a career path with numerous job profiles. Some of the job profiles for Diploma in Anaesthesia graduates in India are as follows:

• Anaesthesia Assistant
• Clinical Assistant
• Technical Assistant
• Operation Theatre Technician
• Medical Lab Technician

After finishing a Diploma in Anaesthesia, one will be able to earn an annual package ranging anywhere between 1,50,000 to 15,00,000 INR. With better experience, skills and qualifications, you will be able to earn a much higher salary.

A better and viable option after graduating with a Diploma in Anaesthesia is to pursue higher education such as a Bachelor’s degree in one of the allied health sciences. Some of the bachelor’s programmes available for Diploma in Anaesthesia graduates include:

• B.Sc Nutrition Dietetics
• B.Sc in Radio Imaging Technology
• B.Sc in Operation Theatre Technology
• B.Sc Neuro-Physiology Technology
• B.Sc Cardiac Care Technology
• B.Pharm
• B.Sc Nursing
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy

There are many more similar courses on offer for a Diploma in Anaesthesia graduate in India, in terms of higher education prospects. Pursuing higher education will highly improve your career prospects and give you a better chance of building lucrative career options.

The desired skills for excelling in this field of study are listed below.

Knowing medical terminology: It is a crucial skill for professional graduates of Anaesthesia. Having a good grasp of medical terminology helps to easily work with other medical practitioners when required. 

Dedication: This skill is specified not only for any particular profession but in all hemispheres of professional life. A person who is dedicated to his/her career will always achieve heights in all terminology. Dedication towards the profession will only help in bringing out the best in you and will ultimately work towards the greater good. 

Patience: It is important to have patience in the medical lines, especially because in case of any medical emergencies, medical professionals need to respond with the utmost professionalism and keep patience. They need to keep a calm mind while dealing with patient parties. 

Ability to work under pressure: Most of the time, anaesthesia specialists need to participate in surgical procedures. It is crucial for these professionals to work skillfully under extreme pressure conditions. The ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations eventually leads to successful surgical procedures.

Thorough knowledge of the subject: A person who has the proper knowledge about their subject is bound to perform well in their profession.  

Acquaintance with medical equipment: Having proper knowledge about the medical equipment that is used during the surgical procedure, is crucial. A person who is well-acquainted with medical equipment will be able to respond to quick calls in case of emergencies and surgical procedures.

Problem Solving Skill: This skill is important to respond to the different needs of the patients. During any medical emergency, the requirements of the patients differ. So, it is important to possess problem-solving ability in order to meet diverse medical needs and administer medical attention as required. 

There are several books in the marker that students of Diploma in Anaesthesia refer to. Some of the best books for this course are -

The average salary scale for professional graduates of Anaesthesia in India ranges from INR 1,50,000 to INR 15,00,000. The salary scale is prevalent in the initial professional years of the person. Depending on the work experience, the highest educational qualification in this subject, the expertise and competency of the person, and the achievement of the professional, the salary can be much higher. 

The state and city-wise distribution of the popular colleges in India offering Diploma in Anaesthesia are -

Telangana

Maharashtra

Uttar Pradesh

Some of the foreign colleges that offer Diploma in Anaesthesia are -

There are many popular colleges in India that offer admission to Diploma in Anaesthesia degree. A few top colleges are listed below.

• Singhania University
• Rajasthan University of Health Sciences
• Kovai Medical Center and Hospital
• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital
• Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences

There are several reasons for choosing to complete a diploma in anaesthesia. Some of them are given below.

• The main job area of professional graduates of Anaesthesia is very intellectually challenging and exciting. This field of work is very practical and important. The job role of anaesthesiologists is important in every medical establishment. They are required in case of any medical emergencies and surgeries.
• There are a lot of opportunities in this field. People studying an anaesthesiology degree are capable of starting their career much earlier than other medical practitioners.
• The work-life balance is perfect in the case of professional graduates of anaesthesia. Unlike other medical professionals, who have to regularly attend emergency room calls in hospitals and nursing homes, anaesthesiologists get proper work off time.
• For professionals who want to help and serve people using their medical knowledge, a degree in anaesthesia is the best choice. These professionals are entrusted with the responsibility to reduce the pain experience in patients by administering anaesthesia. They have the ability to nullify the pain and other problems of people undergoing major or minor surgeries.
• A professional graduate of anaesthesia is eligible for employment in both private and government sectors of the country. They are essential personnel in every hospital and hence there is a constant demand for anaesthesiologists.