Oncologist
Duties and Responsibilities: 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 of staff. They also perform a wide variety of diagnostic procedures to
ascertain the condition of tissues and to detect cancer. Diagnostic procedures
include scanning techniques, such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, as
well as surgical operations and biopsies.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, and the surgical removal of cancer. Oncology professionals may also
perform procedures to treat regions of the body affected by cancer treatment.
For instance, a gynecologic oncologist may perform surgery to a patient's gastrointestinal
tract that has been adversely affected by treatment.
Salary $222,809-$351,598.
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 subspecialty 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:
I would not like to be an Oncologist
because if you don’t treat the person in time they could get really sick and
die and you have to give them all these kind of medicine. You also have to know
how to work the machines
that help the person with cancer.
