How to Become an Oncologist - Complete Career Path Information

Overview

Oncology and Oncologist

Types of oncologist

1. Medical Oncologist

2. Radiation Oncologist

3. Surgical Oncologist

4. Pediatric oncologists

5. Gynecologic oncologists

6. Hematologist oncologist

Role and responsibilities of an oncologist

Eligibility

It's a longer route to become an oncologist. You need to clear 12th with science followed by an MBBS degree. After that which PG course you should choose is depends on your career paths like medical oncology or surgical oncology. Please read the following section to know the complete steps for each path.

How to be there?

The aspirants can take the following path for pursuing this career:

• Clear the 12th with science with physics, chemistry, and biology with at least 50% marks to be eligible to sit in the NEET Exam
• Clear NEET and get admission in MBBS degree program
• After MBBS you are eligible to sit in the NEET exam to get admission into the PG program
• Clear PG NEET and get admission in a 3 years MS OR MD (in Pediatrics/Medicine) OR MD (in Radiotherapy)
• Instead of MS OR MD, you can also choose to go for DNB (Diploma)
• After MD in medicine, you are eligible to get admission in DM in Medical Oncology OR M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

Which course should you choose? Well, it depends on what career path you want to follow like to become medical oncology you should go for MD Internal Medicine and then DM.

If you want to pursue surgical oncology, then go for MS General surgery or ENT, then MCh Surgical Oncology.

Skills Required

• Good interpersonal skills: As they need to regularly communicate with patients and co-workers too. Sometimes the environment becomes very stressed, but they need to maintain the cool and do effective communication for better treatment.
• Critical Thinking: It helps in identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Stress Management: This is very important for an oncologist as they are dealing with a life-threatening disease and sometimes the environment becomes very stressful that can impact the treatment if not managed well.
• Technical Knowledge to operate the various medical equipment during the treatment
• A thorough and up-to-date knowledge of various treatment options
• Be sensitive and compassionate

Work Hours

Normally they work regular business work hours defined by the institution they worked with but as everyone knows working extended hours is not unusual in the medical field as an emergency can occur at any time. So, a doctor should be ready to work at any time (24/7).

Salary

This is among the highest-paid areas of the medical profession. According to salary experts (https://www.salaryexpert.com/), the average salary of an oncologist in India is Rs 26,12,464.

An entry-level medical oncologist with less than 3 years of experience earns an average salary of Rs 17,59,562. A senior-level medical oncologist with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of Rs 35,43,412.

But salary also depends on the institution like private hospitals and government hospitals can have different packages and also depends on the location also.

Career Scope

The Healthcare sector is growing in India and we need a lot of experts in this field. Also, this pandemic time shows us the truth of the healthcare sector in India and it needs a lot of professionals in every area along with oncology.

So, if you are thinking to pursue this career and think you have all that it needs to get success in this career then no need to give it a second thought.

Areas of Employment: After completing the course you can get job opportunities in:
Government Hospitals
Private Hospitals
Medical Colleges
Research Centers

After having a good experience you can start your own practice too.

Pros and Cons

• It is a well respected profession
• High paying job
• Great satisfaction in treating patients and help them in living a better life



• Training takes time
• Required continue learning to stay updated
• Need to deal with potentially hazardous machinery and chemicals