Medicine is one of the most sorts out and rewarding career for those interested in Science and dealing with sick people. Over the years, the field of medical studies have undergone various stages of development, it has become so vast that specializations within are increasing day by day. There is great scope for medicine as a professional career.

A doctor’s profession involves a lot of hard work and at the same time, it gives the satisfaction of curing patients at times even saving lives. It is a very demanding profession. To be in this profession is more a responsibility than a privilege. It is more of what you can give the community than what you can get from it.

Careers in Medical:

Careers in the medical field are varied and abundant. We’ve put together a set of medical career resources that span the range of options from office staff, nursing, EMTs, physician assistants and all variety of physicians. Below is a brief overview of what it takes for each of these areas and resources to you help you investigate the fields.

Medical Careers: Physicians

To be a physician, you must complete 4 years of undergraduate training, spend 4 years in medical school, and 3-7 years as an intern and resident. If you planning to go on sub-specializing, you’ll have to do a fellowship – usually 1-2 years more.

Getting into medical school is not a cake-walk. The “magic number” for medical school admissions is an undergraduate grade point average 3.6 and an MCAT score (Medical College Admission Test) of 30 or more. Doing well in college is a must because competition for the limited number of spots in medical is imperative. If you do succeed in getting in, chances are good you’ll graduate: 95% of students complete their medical education.

To get a medical license, you’ll need to complete your MD, and pass the 3 steps of the USMLE (U.S. Medical Licensing Exam) during the 2nd and 4th years of medical school and your internship year. The tests are difficult, but 90% of students eventually pass. As a side note, many of the requirements for MDs are also options for DO physicians (osteopathic medicine).

Once you’re licensed, you have many options:

Physician Employment: Trends and options for physician jobs and employment in the US healthcare system.
Locum Tenens: These are short term positions for physicians – find out the benefits and drawbacks
Physician Job Resources: This is a set of resources for the job-hunting physician, including physician recruiters and placement firms.

Medical Careers: Nurses

There are a number of medical careers available in nursing. Some nursing students start out as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) which requires the completion of a short study program. Some medical facilities, such as nursing homes, will even cover the costs of your CNA training.

A second choice is working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Like most medical careers, this one does require college study but it can be completed at most vocational schools. LPNs usually work closely with other nurses and with physicians to provide care for patients.

At the top of nursing medical careers is the Registered Nurse (RN). The RN completes either a 2- or a 4-year degree program, then must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed. RN’s who are completing the four-year program are usually paid more than those who opt for a 2-year degree. You can learn more about choosing medical careers in nursing by visiting any of our nursing education resources:

Medical Careers: Office Staff

If you want to work in the health care industry, but would prefer something requiring less education, less patient care, and shorter hours, then training to be part of the office staff may be an ideal choice. Medical careers in transcription, coding, and billing all begin with some basic training which you can usually receive from a vocational college in just two years. To learn more about medical careers in these fields, visit any of the following pages: medical transcription schools, medical coding schools, or medical billing schools.

Skills needed for this aspiring career:

• Should have good memory and recollection ability, good physical health, good judgment.
• Service mentality, stamina, patience.
• Power of concentration, emotional stability, self confidence.
• Logical and analytical mind, decision making ability.
• Willingness to learn throughout their career.
• Ability to take timely decisions, Self -motivation.
• An amiable and sympathetic temperament.
• Drive to work hard.
• Above average intelligence.

A doctor is also expected to possess a strong sense of responsibility as the patient’s life depends entirely on him.

Placements:

• In Government or private hospitals
• In Nursing homes/clinics/health departments
• In medical services of the army, navy and air force, under the Ministry of Defense
• In charitable institutions
• In medical colleges and training institutes as teachers
• In research institutes and medical colleges as researchers
• In the industrial sector
• Private practice/self employment

Prospects:

These specialists have extensive job opportunities in Hospitals, polyclinics, diagnostic laboratories, dental and ophthalmic clinics in the government and private sector. They can also take up research and development work in institutional laboratories or with pharmaceutical companies.

Besides hospitals and clinics, physiotherapists can be employed in health clubs or fitness centers. Orthotic and prosthetic engineers can also work in private surgical firms which are involved in manufacturing artificial limbs and other such appliances.

There will always be a demand for doctors and paramedics in the rural and urban areas of the country, and abroad. Despite the advances in medical sciences and protective health care, urbanization has increased in diseases and subsequent requirement for medical specialists. There is also a Growth in medical specialization.

Courses:

Physician

They diagnose and treat ailments and disorders of the human body. On the basis of symptoms and tests conducted, the physician prescribes medicines to patients.

Surgeon

The surgeon diagnoses and treats injuries, diseases and disorders of the human body by prescribing medicines or, where necessary, by means of surgical operations. Surgery can be orthopedic, plastic, neuro, thoracic, etc.

Community health

Public or community health medicine is concerned with the promotion of health of a whole community rather than of specific individuals. It is primarily about preventive medicine and there is no direct clinical contact with patients.

Most health doctors are employed in regional or district health authorities. Their work includes the overall administration, planning and development of personal health and community care.

Research and training

Researching new forms of treatments and new drugs and their effects is done in hospitals, research establishments and drug firms. Doctors mostly combine clinical and scientific work, but there are also research appointments, often including some teaching, for those who are interested in scientific development of medicine rather than patient contact.

With medical knowledge having increased in leaps and bounds, it has become necessary for those who practice to specialize in a particular aspect of medicine, so as to keep pace with important developments.

The major areas of specializations include the following

General physicians (doctors possessing M.B.B.S degree, with no particular specialization).

General surgery (requires a 3 year specialized course after M.B.B.S).

Paediatrics (deals with children, from new-borns to adolescents).

Cardiology (deals with ailments and dsieases of heart).

Obstetrics and gynecology (deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders in females in reproductive age group).

Neurology

Neurologists in diseases and disorders related to the human brain. They handle the treatment of problems related to nervous system and other problems in human body, arising from disorders in human brain.

Dermatolgy

Dermatology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of skin and realted problems.

Opthalmology

Ophthalmologists are eye specialists who diagnose and condust treatment for the diseases of the human eye and its related parts. They can also check the eyesight and prescribed corrective lenses, but nowadays, most often, it is an optometrist (a paramedic with a diploma in optometry) who handles these aspects of eye care.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialists

ENT specialists deal with diseases and disorders of ear, nose and throat. These 3 organs are physiologically interconnected and so one specialist can handle nasal as well as throat and ear ailments.

Psychiatry

This is an area of specialization that diagnoses and treats mental disorders by means of counseling or therapy and medication.

Allopathy

Bachelor Of Medicine & Bachelor Of Surgery (M.B.B.S)

Doctor Of Medicine (MD), Master Of Surgery (MS)

Ayurveda

Bachelor Of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S)

Dentistry

Bachelor Of Dental Surgery (B.D.S)

Master Of Dental Surgery (M.D.S)

Homeopathy

Bachelor Of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (B.H.M.S)

Postgraduate Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery

Siddha

Bachelor Of Siddha Medicine & Surgery (B.S.M.S)

MD in Siddha

Unani

In recent times MBA Grads are also making a good cut into the profession of Hospital and Health Care Management .An MBA with specialization in Healthcare is  best suited for the job. Doctors too are planning to complete an MBA to further progress in their career. Vishal Bali, CEO of WockHardt Hospitals is a shining example.

Do put forward your questions and thoughts,experience you would like to share for our readers !

Compiled by Gobind V in consultation with our Knowledge Managers in Medicine and Health care.