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.