Oncologist Career
|
Oncologist Job Description
An oncologist is a medical professional with advanced education, training, and experience that is necessary to examine, diagnose and treat cancer. The diseases that they handle are breast cancer, bone tumor, brain tumors, Hodgkin's disease, bowel cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, and lymphomas.
They use radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat or palliate the symptoms of cancer. An oncologist discusses with the patients the most suitable course of action and answers questions/queries that the patients have.
Many pursue specialty or subspecialty fields, like, gynecological oncology, pediatric oncology, surgical oncology, etc. Specialty and subspecialty fields need supplementary education and training.
Oncologist Skills/Duties
Oncology is a sensitive area of expertise of the medical field, as those who practice it have to interact directly with patients suffering from cancer. Above and beyond wide-ranging medical knowledge, an oncologist should have compassion and empathy.
Patient interaction is a vital part of this field, and oncologists have to communicate sensible and rational expectations to their patients.
An oncologist confers with the patients and their referring physicians to establish an apt treatment plan. He will discuss both, non-surgical and surgical treatment options. He completes case and chart remarks and interpretations, including treatments plans and test results.
He conducts examinations and investigations, including: physical exams, fluid and tissue samples, X-rays and biopsies.
An oncologist also attends trainings, seminars, workshops and conferences to stay informed of the latest cancer treating methods and options. Importantly, he has to work with other medical professionals as a part of a team.
Oncologist Education and Training
• You can choose pre-med study subjects, like organic chemistry, molecular chemistry, bio-chemistry, anatomy, biology, and advanced math at the college level.
• Medical Schools are extremely choosy when it comes to admitting students, and excellent scores are necessary in the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Once accepted by a Medical Schools, you have to pass the first 2 phases of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), before starting the residency.
• You have to obtain Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) from a recognized Medical School (4 years), and then commence specialized training. After acquiring the MD degree, you have to complete a Residency Program accepted by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and appear for the 3rd stage of the USMLE. Residency programs last for 2 to 4 years.
• Then you complete education in a Specialty Program.
• After the Fellowship, oncologists can submit an application for Board Certification or take on further education in sub-specialties like pediatric oncology and hematology.
• Distinct licenses are necessary if you want to practice sub-specialties.
Oncologist Job Outlook
As is with the general medical profession, employment options for oncologists are projected to increase faster than average. With increasing research and awareness about cancer and its effective treatment, the job opportunity for oncologists looks really good. Oncology would witness a strong growth, particularly, in answer to a patient demand for the right to use specialty care.
With a growing and aging population, latest research, advancement in diagnostic techniques, and new treatment possibilities, oncologists will have numerous openings for employment.
Oncologists have a private practice, or are attached to private and community hospitals, medical centers, university hospitals and research institutes.
Oncologist Salary
The approximate annual earnings of an oncologist are in the range of $180,000 and $220,000, though it greatly depends on the experience, location, specialty and employer type.
|
|
|
|
|
|