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An interventional cardiologist can diagnose serious cardiac conditions by performing percutaneous surgery. This is a career that is especially desirable for its ability to save lives. Unlike other cardiologists, the education requirements for this specialty are slightly different.
The Advantages of Being A Cardiologist
Working in cardiology is a rewarding career for many physicians. Because cardiologists focus directly on the heart and cardiovascular system, they can save lives on a regular basis. Understanding the detailed science of the human body is complex and particularly enjoyable for those who are passionate about learning.
A specialization in cardiology allows a physician to work in-depth with a particular part of the field. By studying systems in the heart and blood vessels, this knowledge can be extremely useful in the case of a crisis. A cardiologist does not necessarily perform surgery, but by analyzing heart tests, effective treatment plans can help a variety of patients.
How To Become A Cardiologist
Becoming a physician takes practice and patience. Once an individual has decided on the type of medical field they are interested in, the path can begin to narrow. A cardiologist is a type of physician that works with the heart. Many students who pursue this type of career are competitive, ambitious, driven, and dedicated.
A cardiologist can diagnose and treat diseases pertaining to the heart and blood vessels. To efficiently understand how to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart failure, arrhythmias, and infections of the heart, extensive education is necessary.
Completing A Bachelor’s Degree
The first step to becoming a cardiologist is obtaining a bachelor’s degree. This type of degree must include premedical courses including inorganic and organic chemistry as well as physics and biology. During this time, it is important to study for the Medical College Admission Test.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a multiple-choice exam that was created for medical school admissions offices. This exam shows how a student solves complex problems, thinks critically, understands scientific concepts and principles suited for medicine. The MCAT exam is specifically designed for those who want to apply to a health professions school.
Med School
There are a variety of medical schools around the country that can help students become cardiologists. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree and passing the MCAT exam, a student is ready to enter medical school.
Medical school is typically a 4 year program. For those who are interested in cardiology, either a medical degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree is required. Both degrees offer lecture and lab courses that focus on biochemistry, pharmacology, and anatomy and physiology. The last two years of medical school are spent completing clinical rotations. These rotations include multiple medical specialties.
Obtain A Medical License
After medical school, a medical license must be obtained. Every physician, regardless of their field, must earn a license to practice medicine in the United States. The USMLE (The United States Medical Licensing Exam) must be acquired for allopathic physicians. Those who have completed the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam is designed for osteopathic physicians. The test is broken into three parts.
The first part of the USMLE involves a computer exam. This usually happens at the end of the second year of medical school. International medical graduates can also take this test to practice medicine in the United States. The first part of the exam includes 280 multiple-choice questions.
The second part of the exam is taken over two days. Once a student is in their fourth year of medical school, the second part is usually completed. Half of the second part involves clinical knowledge while the other half involves examinations.
The third part of the USMLE is also a two-day exam. The final part of this test assesses whether the student is prepared to practice medicine without supervision. This focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. During the third step of the USMLE, the majority of the test is made up of multiple-choice questions. Only 25% of the remaining exam has clinical case simulations.
The third part of the test is sectioned into six, 60-minute periods. On the second day, a student will complete several case simulations that are presented on the computer. The USMLE is designed to test knowledge that has been comprehended from written form as well as life-like scenarios. This test is administered at specific Prometric testing centers. While the test is online, it can identify verification for security reasons.
Residency
A residency in internal medicine is required to become a cardiologist. This residency training takes place over 3 years. Residency involves clinical rotations in respiratory medicine, oncology, endocrinology and cardiology. Depending on the program, students may or may not participate in research.
When earning a specialty certification for cardiology, the completion of board certification in internal medicine is required. The American Board of Medical Specialties oversees board certification for allopathic doctors. The American Osteopathic Association oversees board certification for the osteopathic doctors.
Depending on the residency programs, hours may vary. While residency programs used to require long hours, there is now a mandated cap on how long a doctor is required to work. Residencies are considered difficult for many, but they are proven to be effective at providing a hands-on approach at learning.
Residency allows doctors-in-training to have their own individual patients. While they do treat patients, they can also have an attending physician to help. Since residency is often a much busier time than medical school or college, many doctors form a bond with others in the field.
Sub-Specialty Training
To become an interventional cardiologist, a one-year fellowship is required. This sub-specialty is extremely competitive. Device-based research is used for those interested in biotechnology and hydrodynamics. The program is thorough and specialized so that the science and interventional techniques can be appropriately mastered.
In Conclusion
Cardiologists with this type of specialty can work in private practice, military hospitals, and medical schools or universities. Salaries can range from almost $200,000 to $425,000 per year depending on location and practice. For a secure career in the medical field, specialty cardiologists can work almost anywhere with a high salary and benefits.
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This content is brought to you by Brenda Vollman.
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