Introduction
The cardiologist is a doctor specializing in heart or cardiovascular diseases. Such as heart failure, high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, heart rhythm disorders, pulmonary embolism, blood circulation problems, etc.
Responsibilities
- Screens for possible heart disease, the cardiologist must make a diagnosis.
- The cardiologist auscultates the heart and lungs, takes the pulse, and also measures the blood pressure
- Performs tests, examinations, and also physical stress test
- Analyzes the results of analyses of a patient and then prescribes a drug treatment
- Issues prevention instructions and advice for a suitable diet
- Informs patients on the need to take additional examinations in a specialized center or even a surgical procedure.
- Monitors patients during their hospitalization, whether in the intensive care unit or the coronary unit.
- He may be required to organize the medical care of patients in the event of a medical emergency.
Education and Training
To become a cardiologist in the United States, you must acquire a bachelor’s degree and also a degree from medical school. This, however, takes between six (6) to eight (8) years to complete.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a requirement to be accepted into medical school. In the United States, cardiologists must be licensed to practice.
You must pass the U.S Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) to acquire a license to practice. After medical school, cardiologists must complete an internship and residency program that lasts between three (3) to nine (9) years.
However, during this period, cardiologists practice fully and are well paid.
Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary of cardiologists is $386,026. Statistics show that cardiologists are among the wealthiest physicians in the United States.
Career Developments
A cardiologist can carry out research work for university organizations, for the pharmaceutical industry, within the framework of his hospital activities.
A teaching position in a university hospital is also possible.
Involvement in the implementation of public health programs is not to be excluded. Also, participation in humanitarian missions within the framework of an NGO.
Qualities
To be a cardiologist, you must have good physical and psychological resistance.
A cardiologist must have a sense of observation, be rigorous and also reactive.
Availability and the ability to listen are among the main qualities of a cardiologist
Job Outlook
With the many retirements to come, the absence of doctors in certain regions, the increase in the number of medicine admissions, job prospects are favorable.
As in many medical specialties, investigation techniques evolve rapidly. The cardiologist must, therefore, constantly update his knowledge.
Skills
- Know perfectly the heart and cardiovascular diseases
- Demonstrate scientific curiosity
- Monitor technological developments
- Exercise composure in an emergency
- Have a remarkable ability to listen
- Be rigorous and methodical
- Have good physical and nervous stamina
- Be an educator and also have empathy
- The cardiologist must have a good ability to listen to his patients
Although a specialist in heart disorders, the cardiologist must be able to deal with all types of health problems.
He is therefore very versatile and endowed with wide as well as varied knowledge in medicine.
He is curious, adaptable, and reactive and does not hesitate to question himself to update his knowledge and methods.
Given the dramatic consequences of errors in diagnosis, the cardiologist must also have strong physical and emotional resilience.
He knows how to stay focused for hours, is incredibly meticulous, and is also a perfectionist.
His sense of observation and analysis are among his main diagnostic tools.
Often, he is the privileged interlocutor of vulnerable people. This is why he is always attentive and also knows how to be a reassuring, pedagogue in the explanation of treatments.
His attachment to the Hippocratic oath compels him to empathy as well as total discretion.
Job Opportunities
Most cardiologists practice in:
- Care establishments
- Public and private hospitals
- Clinics, rehabilitation centers, etc.
- liberal cabinets
- More rarely, the cardiologist can work in the research sector.
Work conditions
He may be required to be on call at night or weekends and must also be available in the event of an emergency.
He often works in collaboration with other health professionals.
The aging of the population encourages the hiring of cardiologists.
9There is a real outlet and increased demand in specific regions of the U.S, particularly in a medical desert situation.
