Cardiologist Job Description
Cardiologists are physicians who are experts in the treatment and management of heart and vascular disorders. Cardiologists often work along with experts in the domain of internal medicine, cardiothoracic surgeons and other healthcare providers. Cardiologists, treat patients of all age groups, ranging from newborns to elderly.
The focus of a cardiologist is on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of different cardiac and vascular problems, which include: arrhythmia, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, cardiac failure and coronary artery disease. Though cardiology is a specialized field of medicine, there are certain cardiologists that specialize in pediatric cardiology, which involves the treatment and management of pediatric problems. In addition to that, there are certain cardiologists that specialize in invasive cardiology, while others work as non invasive cardiologist. This categorization of cardiologists depends exclusively on their experience and ability.Create this Resume
Cardiologists focus on management of cardiac and vascular ailments. They are trained to use specialized investigations like the electrocardiograms to treat and manage patients.
Cardiologists are also involved in interventional cardiology which involves providing treatments like balloon angioplasty, installing pacemakers and interaction with cardiac surgeons when bypass or other major surgical procedures are required.
Cardiologist Education and Training
• After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in medicine, on completing four and a half years of medical training, cardiologists have to undergo a three year residency in internal medicine which is followed by a three year fellowship training which focuses specifically on cardiology.
• In case of a pediatric cardiologist, a three year residency in pediatrics is required after completion of the bachelor’s program followed by another three years of practice in pediatric cardiology.
• Board certification is provided to each of the specialist after completion of the two phases mentioned above in the field of cardiology. Pediatric cardiologists get board certification in pediatrics first and then in pediatric cardiology, while general cardiologists get certification in internal medicine and then in cardiology.
Cardiologist Job Outlook
Cardiologists may work as individual practitioners or may be part of a group of physicians that practice together. In addition, cardiologists can be employed by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), hospitals and medical schools.
It should be noted that non invasive or invasive non-interventional cardiologists, largely work in an office-based setting, where the majority of their work would involve treatment with medications, testing and promoting life style changes to manage cardiac or vascular conditions. These cardiologists are less often observed in a hospital setting, compared to their interventional counterparts.
In addition to clinical practice, cardiologists are involved in medical conferences, education and training of other medical professionals, creating health care awareness and participating in community drives to manage cardiac disorders.
The salary of a cardiologist would depend on several factors which include the type of practice and the specialty. Non invasive cardiologists tend to earn the lowest in the range of $400,000 per annum, while interventional cardiologists are placed higher at $545,000 per annum.
In addition, invasive non-interventional cardiologists fall in the middle bracket with an annual salary of $ 454,000. However, the average annual earnings of a cardiologist is approximately $373,089 per annum.