Working Conditions & Salary Range

Working Conditions & Salary Range

     Cardiologists may work in single or group private practices.  Many cardiologists with special teaching interests work in universities where their duties also include research and patient care.  There are cardiologists on staff in the Veterans Administration hospitals and in the Armed Forces. Surgeons and anesthesiologists typically work in well-lighted, sterile environments while performing surgery and often stand for long periods. Most work in hospitals or in surgical outpatient centers. Many physicians and surgeons work long, irregular hours. Almost one-third of physicians worked 50 hours or more a week in 2008. Physicians and surgeons must travel frequently between office and hospital to care for their patients. Those who are on call deal with many patients’ concerns over the phone and may make emergency visits to hospitals or nursing homes.

     In 2010, general surgeons with over one year in their specialty earned $166,400+. This amount reflects the amount reported as direct compensation for tax purposes, plus all voluntary salary reductions. Salary, bonus and/or incentive payments, research stipends, honoraria, and distribution of profits were included in total compensation. Self-employed physicians—those who own or are part owners of their medical practice—generally have higher median incomes than salaried physicians. Earnings vary according to number of years in practice, geographic region, hours worked, and skill, personality, and professional reputation. Self-employed physicians and surgeons must provide for their own health insurance and retirement.


Citations: 

Hardin, J. (Photographer). (2011, August 11). Working Conditions [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://lygsbtd.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/on-the-money-work/

Job Outlook

Job Outlook

      Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job growth will occur because of continued expansion of healthcare-related industries. The growing and aging population will drive overall growth in the demand for physician services, as consumers continue to demand high levels of care using the latest technologies, diagnostic tests, and therapies. Many medical schools are increasing their enrolments based on perceived new demand for physicians. Demand for physicians’ services is highly sensitive to changes in consumer preferences, health care reimbursement policies, and legislation. For example, if changes to health coverage result in consumers facing higher out-of-pocket costs, they may demand fewer physician services.

     Opportunities for individuals interested in becoming physicians and surgeons are expected to be very good. Reports of shortages in some specialties or geographic areas should attract new entrants, encouraging schools to expand programs and hospitals to expand available residency slots. However, because physician training is so lengthy, employment change happens gradually. In the short term, to meet increased demand, experienced physicians may work longer hours, delay retirement, or take measures to increase productivity, such as using more support staff to provide services. Opportunities should be particularly good in rural and low-income areas, because some physicians find these areas unattractive due to lower earnings potential, isolation from medical colleagues, or other reasons. 

Citations: 

School of Health Related Professions. (Designer). (2011, January 31). Job Oulook [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://shrp.umdnj.edu/dept/primary_care/rspth/about.html

Educational Requirements for a Cardiologist

Educational Requirements for a Cardiologist

     Cardiologists receive extensive education, including four years of medical school and three years of training in general internal medicine.  After this, a cardiologist spends three or more years in specialised training.  That’s ten or more years of training! In order to become certified, doctors who have completed a minimum of ten years of clinical and educational preparation must pass a rigorous two-day exam given by the American Board of Internal Medicine.  This exam tests not only their knowledge and judgment, but also their ability to provide superior care," according to the American College of Cardiology.

Citations: 

Go Au Pair Philadelphia. (Artist). (2011, May 9). Education [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://goaupairphiladelphia.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/au-pair-and-education-requirement/

Main Abilities Required

Main Abilities Required 

1. Oral Expression: Able to convey information and ideas through speech in ways that others will understand.

2. Finger Dexterity: Able to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3. Memorisation: Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

4. Control Precision: Able to quickly and repeatedly make precise adjustments in moving the controls of a machine or vehicle.

5. Visualisation: Able to imagine how something will look after it's moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

6. Category flexibility: Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

7. Manual Dexterity: Able to make quick, coordinated movements of one or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

8. Arm-Hand Steadiness: Able to keep the hand and arm steady while making an arm movement or while holding the arm and hand in one position.

9. Deductive Reasoning: Able to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers, including deciding whether an answer makes sense.

Citations:

Chapman, A. (Photographer). (2011, October 6). Abilities [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://radiantadvisors.com/2011/10/06/personality-communication-and-learning-styles/

What is cardiology?

What is cardiology?

      Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart (specifically the human heart). The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. These patients may be experiencing symptoms that indicate heart trouble. Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems using a combination of physical examination, symptom review and medical testing. Some cardiologists work in private practice centers as consultants to patients general care practitioners, while others work for universities as researchers and teachers. As part of their practice, cardiologists may perform or recommend procedures like echocardiograms, exercise tests and cardiac catheterisations. 

Citations:

Axiom Health Care Marketing. (Photographer). (2012, June 7). Heart [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.axiomhealthseo.com/cardiology1.html

USA.gov. (2011, November 2). Physician, cardiologist. Retrieved from http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks.nsf/Alphabetical List/Physician, Cardiologist?OpenDocument&ShowTab=All&