Oncologist

Oncologist

Duties and Responsibilities: Oncology specialists are physicians trained in a variety of cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Oncology specialists collect medical histories and perform physical evaluations in addition to basic administrative duties, such as maintaining records, coordinating with other medical personnel, and managing the work staff. They also perform a wide variety of diagnostic procedures to ascertain the condition if tissues and to detect cancer. This includes scanning techniques, such as x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as surgical operations and biopsies.

Salary: The median salary for the oncologist is $217,000 a year

Education: As physicians, oncology specialists must complete up to eight years of undergraduate and medical school education. They then train in a medical residency that can last 3-5 years depending on the specialty. Those pursing sub-specialty training may also be required to complete an additional residency or fellowship of up to three years. Following training, all physicians must pass a licensing exam before they are able to practice. Completion of training often qualifies oncology specialists for voluntary certification, which typically involves a set of written and oral exams and a performance review.

Reflection: Do you think you would like to become one? Why or why not?
-I do think I would like to be an oncologist because it is a challenging career, and it seems very interesting. Having to study and try to figure out various cancers that others had a hard time doing is a great challenge. Not only is it appealing but it also has a good pay.