


How do you become an anesthesiologist in France?
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To become an anesthesiologistin France, you need to complete a long course of medical studies. This training enables students to acquire all the technical skills and human qualities essential to the practice of this specialty. This is what we detailed in our job description for anesthesiologists. Since it's not always easy to find one's way through the many stages of this career path, we thought it essential to write an article to help clarify matters.
What is an anesthesiologist?
The anesthesiologist is a specialist in pain management, anesthesia prior to surgery and resuscitation of patients in critical situations. They work in a variety of settings: operating theatres, intensive care units, maternity wards and emergency wards. This medical professional is at the heart of patient safety systems, able to manage extreme emergencies thanks to his technical mastery and responsiveness. This expertise is the fruit of extensive training.
How to become an anesthesiologist?
General medical studies
Before entering higher education, the aspiring anesthesiologist must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills development and reorientation.
After the PASS or the L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:
- The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
- Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.
Externship examinations
During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of tests which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty, as well as their city. Here's the list:
- Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in the theoretical knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
- Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): these are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum grade is 10/20.
- Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.
Specialization in anesthesia and intensive care
Once they have completed their general medical studies , students specializing in anesthesia enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- theoreticaltraining: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of anesthesia. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practicaltraining : anesthesia interns participate in the work of various health departments.
In addition, anesthesia interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, interns are awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Anesthésie-Réanimation (DES) and can apply for jobs as anesthesiologists.
Further training
After obtaining their DES and registering with the Ordre des Médecins, practitioners can pursue further specialization through Diplômes d'Études Spécialisées Complémentaires (DESC) or DU-DIU in fields such as :
- surgical resuscitation
- pediatric anesthesia
- pain management
- obstetric anesthesia
- perioperative medicine
These training courses open the way to positions of great responsibility, and provide the opportunity to develop specific expertise.
The skills needed to become an anesthetist
The anesthesiologist must :
- master anesthetic products, intubation, ventilation and resuscitation techniques;
- ensure patient safety before, during and after surgery;
- anticipate and manage critical situations in a matter of seconds;
- collaborate with surgeons, nurse anesthetists, emergency physicians, etc.
In-depth knowledge of human physiology, drug reactions and emergency protocols is essential.
The anesthetist's human qualities
The anesthesiologist's job requires resistance to stress, great composure and the ability to make quick decisions. It also requires empathy and rigor, as patients are often anxious in the run-up to an operation. Communication with the rest of the medical team is of course essential, especially in life-threatening emergencies.
Jobs and prospects
Anaesthetists can work in :
- public hospitals
- private clinics
- private operating theatres
- emergency or intensive care units
It's a highly sought-after specialty, offering many opportunities for advancement, including in teaching or research (see our article on installation assistance).
Although the path to this specialty is long (around 11 years), anesthesia-intensive care medicine is a rewarding profession, at the heart of acute and critical care issues. Every year, it attracts students motivated by the technical aspects, the adrenalin, and the crucial role they play in the chain of care.
If you're interested in this article, take a look at our anaesthetist salary sheet!
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Anaesthetist - Le Bouscat 33
Employee
6000 - 12000 per month
le Bouscat
Job Anesthesiologist M/F - Le Bouscat Bordeaux 33 We are recruiting an Anaesthetist M/F to join an association hospital located in Le Bouscat, near Bordeaux in Gironde, as part of a full-time permanent contract to be filled in January 2026 ADN of the structure This associative, private, not-for-profit establishment, which participates in the public hospital service, focuses on the quality of care and on caring working conditions for caregivers. The site is home to a wide range of medical and surgical activities, including an endoscopy and outpatient surgery center, an outpatient clinic, specialized medical services and a major home hospitalization service covering the Bordeaux metropolitan area and the coast. The premises benefit from a practical environment with a company restaurant, free parking for vehicles and a covered bike park with charging points for electric bikes. Access is facilitated by a tramway station on line D, several bus routes and TER services. Description and duties The facility is looking for an anesthetist for its endoscopy and ambulatory surgery technical platform: - Pre-operation consultations - Surgery in the operating room according to the program defined with the specialist physicians. - Diagnostic and therapeutic digestive endoscopies, as well as pancreatic echo endoscopies. - Minor dermatological and vascular surgery under sedation>. - Performing midline and PICC line You will be trained in PICC placement in connection with oncology activity. You will work in tandem with a colleague anesthetist. Compensation For this position, you will be remunerated according to your profile and the provisions of Convention 51 FEHAP, with seniority and supplements depending on your experience as a post-graduate intern or assistant, as well as the application of Ségur provisions and the establishment's profit-sharing agreement. Benefits - Remuneration in accordance with Convention 51 FEHAP with seniority transfer, Ségur bonus and profit-sharing scheme - Accessible endoscopy and ambulatory surgery technical platform and prospects for training in CIP insertion - Premises including company restaurant, free parking and covered bicycle parking with recharging points - Work in pairs with another anesthetist and a dynamic and generous CSE - Gift vouchers, RTT - Location well served by streetcar bus and TER and quality of working life initiatives including seated massage and active walking Profile sought State-qualified medical doctor holding a DES in Anesthesia and Intensive Care or equivalent recognized in France and registered with the Ordre des Médecins in France, rigorous autonomous and appreciative of teamwork Contact us at: O7 44 71 65 O8 or by email via: [email protected] Advertisement reference: 11111 Candidates from the European Union: JoberGroup leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France accompanies you free of charge until the start of your activity - Language training Level B2 - Contact with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Anaesthetist M/F - Ajaccio 2A
Liberal
6000 - 12000 per month
Ajaccio
Job Anesthetist - Ajaccio 2A Are you looking for a position as an anaesthetist in Ajaccio? If so, we're offering a one-month replacement assignment in January, with the possibility of association thereafter. DNA of the structure You will be working in a modern private hospital in Ajaccio, with a recent infrastructure focused on quality and innovation. The facility has a large ambulatory platform with 80 places and a 12-bed UFS unit. Medical and surgical specialties are widely represented, with the exception of maternity and heavy digestive care. The organization favors safe care, multidisciplinary collaboration and a working environment without on-call duty. Ajaccio offers an attractive lifestyle, regional air and sea access, and an environment conducive to long-term relocation. Description and missions - Replacement mission in anesthesia-intensive care over the whole month of January - Four days a week - Responsible for perioperative anesthesia and intensive care follow-up, depending on activity - Work in close collaboration with surgical teams and specialized nursing staff - No on-call duty associated with the position - Possibility of moving into an association, depending on profile and terms to be discussed - IADE planned for 2026 to reinforce OR organization Compensation For this position, you will be paid €900 to €1000 per day. A daily salary of 600€ is offered in the case of salaried employment. Benefits - Replacement with possibility of later association and organization over 4 days a week - Attractive daily remuneration - Modern technical platform and eco-responsible infrastructure - 80 outpatient places and 12 UFS beds within a comprehensive care offering - No on-call duty - Accommodation and transport provided - IADE reinforcement planned from 2026 Profile sought Qualified anesthetist-intensive care physician, registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Association (Conseil de l'Ordre des Médecins); position open to accompanied and trained candidates Contact us on: O7 44 71 65 O8 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference : 11323 Candidates from the European Union JoberGroup, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your activity - Language training (Level B2) - Contact with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Anaesthetist M/F - Montélimar 26
Employee
4000 - 5000 per month
Montélimar
Job Anesthesiologist M/F - Montélimar 26 We are recruiting an anaesthetist M/F to join a hospital located in Montélimar, in the Drôme Provençale region, as part of a salaried or self-employed contract. Description and missions We're looking for an anesthetist for the operating room or an intensive care anesthetist for the intensive care unit (12 intensive care beds, 6 continuous care beds). You'll be joining a dynamic team of 8 practitioners in the OR and 7 in the ICU. Depending on your preferences, you may work exclusively in anesthesia, in intensive care or in both units. The activity is organized in continuous time with a balanced rhythm including a guard and two weekly days, on the basis of 40 weekly hours. Additional time is possible. Structure DNA The medium-sized establishment offers a complete medical environment with a high-performance technical platform. It has 730 beds in medicine, surgery, obstetrics and EHPAD, 8 operating theaters, a multi-purpose intensive care unit and continuous care (18 beds), as well as an emergency department handling between 50,000 and 55,000 visits per year. It is located in Montélimar, a fast-growing town of 40,000 inhabitants, ideally situated in the Drôme Provençale region, at the gateway to the Ardèche. Served by the TGV high-speed train and freeway, it is about 1h30 from Lyon, Marseille, Grenoble and Montpellier. It offers an attractive living environment, with numerous cultural and sporting activities. Compensation - Compliance with Motif 1 step 6 regulations, with the possibility of a Motif 2 proposal - 30,000 € commitment bonus - 30,000 hospital career commitment bonus (PECH) for anesthetists and radiologists Benefits - 40-hour working week, with the possibility of additional hours - Experienced and dynamic medical team - Possibility of working on several units according to preference - Easy access to continuing education and research - Installation assistance and housing facilities Profile sought Anesthetist (M/F) with a degree recognized in France and registered with the Conseil national de l'Ordre des Médecins. Contact us at : O7 44 71 65 O8 Advertisement reference : 9936 Candidates from the European Union: JoberGroup, France's leader in the integration of healthcare professionals, will accompany you free of charge right up to the start of your activity - Language training (Level B2) - Put you in touch with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Consultant dedicated to your support Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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