Oncology can be both the most frustrating and the most rewarding field to practice in.  This field tends to attract very driven people with a burning desire to help people with cancer, often because of personal experience with friends and family.  As a result, burnout rates in the field can be quite high and people looking to get into the field should do so with a view to keeping a healthy work/life balance. 

Many oncologists and people working in cancer wards will tell you that the best thing about oncology is the patients.  These patients will often be appreciative on a personal level of everything you do for them both during and after the treatment process.  Oncologists will often find themselves in prominent social circles simply because of the nature of their work.  If you can handle the hours and the extra emotional investment, this is probably the most rewarding career that you can pick in medicine. 

Oncology is also one of the most lucrative fields to go into.  Median salary for a physician in oncology is $261,788.  Oncologists will frequently work in specialty cancer centers and outside organizations, eliminating the overhead required to open up a private clinic.  Oncology is probably the best field to go into if you don’t want the hassle of your own practice. 

To become an oncologist, you first need a medical degree, which can take up to five years to earn.  After that you will be required to do roughly one year of an internship and a few years of residency in oncology.  Oncology programs are highly competitive and not generally very easy to get into.  High marks are a requirement for most specialty cancer centers to even get in the door for an internship. 

Oncology has several sub-specialties, including:

• Gynecological Oncology
• Medical Oncology
• Medical Oncology and Hematology
• Pediatric oncology and hematology
• Radiation oncology
• Surgical oncology

You will often find yourself working with a host of other specialists so a team player attitude as well as an excellent bedside manner are prerequisites for the job.

To kick start your physician job search, eMatchPhysicians invites you to complete our FREE profile and find an oncology job that is right for you.

Many people decide to become specialists in oncology after losing a friend or loved one to cancer.  There are several careers that the doctor specializing in oncology can choose from.  The median salary for an oncologist in the US is $250,000 if one enters a private practice as opposed to academic medicine.  Academic careers average around $150,00 to $175,000. 

Private Practice vs. Academic Medicine

Oncologists who wish to engage in pure research often find themselves in the academic medicine career path.  Academic medicine is also a good start down the path of a career in a private practice, where much higher salaries are possible.  Private practice may also be the path of choice for those who prefer the “bench-to-bedside” hands-on approach.  Usually three to four years in academic medicine is necessary before progressing to private practice careers.  Those who choose to stay in academic medicine will be able to conduct pure research studies and enjoy less working hours than their private practice counterparts. 

Academic Medicine

In order to pursue a career in academic medicine, the oncologist must be a jack-of-all-trades.  They must learn how to get grants, write scientific papers and the usual pursuits of oncology such as research and clinical trials.  Grant and paper writing are both necessary to sustain a livelihood when one relies on pure academics and as such those looking to pursue a career in academic medicine would be well-advised to take professional courses in both grant writing and paper writing if they do not feel that their education sufficiently provided for these items. 

Hospital Oncology Specialist

This career will appeal to those who enjoy the hands-on approach.  As with all medical professions, demand for oncologists in hospitals is high.  You may even be able to join up with an organization that specializes in oncology rather than a general hospital.  In any case, the world is literally your oyster if you have an academic medicine background coupled with an education in oncology. 

Pharmaceutical Company Consultant

This post will frequently see you involved in research and development of drugs intended for use in fighting cancer.  Sales and management positions are usually available within pharma companies for oncologists as well.  Higher up positions in pharma companies are usually extremely well-paying, but are reserved for oncologists who have spearheaded major breakthroughs or have extensive experience both in academic and private practice. 

To begin your search for a physician job in Oncology, click here to get started with eMatchPhysicians.com physician job search process.