Oncologists are highly specialized medical doctors.
A complete stranger confirms the speculations of your primary physician. You are ill, and your biggest fear has come to life. You have cancer. Oncologists must face situations like this on a daily basis. To patients, oncologists are the strangers who general practitioners make referrals to when you've surpassed their expertise. Oncologists must gain the trust of their patients and assure them that they will provide quality care.
Definition
An oncologist is a doctor who works in one of the three primary clinical oncology disciplines---medical, surgical and radiation---treating patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Types
Oncologists differ by specialization and sub-specialization. Medical oncologists treat cancer with medicine; surgical oncologists specialize in preparatory through postsurgical cancer practices; and radiation oncologists use therapeutic radiation to for cancer treatment. Oncologists may specialize in other areas, such as gynecological oncology, medical oncology and hematology, and pediatric oncology and hematology.
Responsibilities
Oncologists are responsible for providing their patients with the most up-to-date cancer treatments. In order to carry out this responsibility, oncologists may have to work with colleagues to gain a multilevel perspective of the best course of action to take toward properly diagnosing and treating cancer patients. Oncologists also are responsible for "completing all case and chart notes, including treatments plans and test results" and "attending trainings, workshops and conferences to keep informed of the latest cancer treating methods and options," according to JobProfiles.org.
Preferred Qualifications
Oncologists must be graduates of an accredited medical school, complete an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved residency program and have proof of certification in all specialty areas. Oncologists also should be dependable, organized, compassionate, knowledgeable and good communicators.
Work Environment
Oncologists work in environments that have varying stress levels. Similar to physicians in other specialty areas, oncologists may work in hospitals, clinics, health centers or private practices. Oncologists may be required to work long hours, and the job is likely to be emotionally draining because of the nature of their work.
Salary
According to Career Builder's Salary Calculator, a medical oncologist in the United States earns an average salary of $271,801. Allied Physicians lists the yearly salaries of specialty physicians based upon their years of experience. Hematology/oncology specialists with one to two years of experience earn $181,348 to $245,000 for three or more years of experience, with a maximum salary of $685,000. Pediatrics hematology/oncology specialists with one to two years of experience earn $182,000 to $217,000 for three or more years of experience, with a maximum salary of $251,000. Radiation oncology specialists with one to two years of experience earn $241,000 to $385,000 for three or more years of experience, with a maximum salary of $787,000.
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