Anatomist - How to become a Anatomist

Importance and Responsibilities attached with the job of an Anatomist

Body of a living being is the most sophisticated and delicate working machine. Like any other man made machine this also demands maintenance time and again. These repairs can only be done in effective way only if one knows its structures and function thoroughly. Anatomists are scientists/medical practitioners who study anatomy or the function and structure of living things. As a specialty of the biological sciences, anatomists often work in medical fields.

Although Anatomy is taught during first year in five and half year of general curriculum  of MBBS but one can also adopt this profession fully by going into higher studies and taking anatomy as the specialization.

There was a time when anatomy as a career was not a first choice of the medical students as there was not much scope for these professional as far as independent career is concerned. But with the passing time and advancement in science and technology the scope of anatomists has reached beyond teaching and demonstration work in the medical schools. They may work with artificial organs, as researchers besides an educator.

Anatomist is also responsible for Lab work which often includes dissecting things and examining things through microscopes and analyses the desired things. They also manage the mortuary in hospital; sort out the embalmed cadavers that come in besides doing a lot of paperwork to keep meticulous records of what we do with the cadavers. If someone does donate their body the anatomists make it sure that they make the best use of it.

With the changed living conditions, lifestyles and high-stress levels there has been an increase in the diseases and ailments affecting the large population all over the world and specially the third world including Indian subcontinent, thereby making the role of a anatomist even more important in today’s context

But to be an anatomist requires a lot of hard work, dedication. Besides one should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel in their respective field and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities in you then your are fit for being an anatomist.

Eligibility to be an Anatomist

One has to follow below given path to be an Anatomist:-

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

1. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for joining MBBS course one should be 10+2 Class pass with Physics, chemistry and Biology (PCB) as main subjects and for institutions with at least 60% marks.

Step 1

Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance tests conducted by the  various state  and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT( pre medical test) taken by the Central board to admit candidates in various medical institutions attached with it according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.

CBSE PMT, conducted by the CBSE, is a highly-coveted national level entrance exam. It is conducted in two stages, the preliminary and the final exam. The exam is objective type and tests you rigorously in subjects like physics, chemistry and biology. Since negative marking is the rule here, the test is extremely competitive.

Separate test are conducted by some of the highly rated medical institutions like like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc

These exams are generally held in the month of May-June and consist of Objective type questions on the subject of English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology though number of questions and pattern may vary from test to test.

The results of these exams are generally out by June/July

Step 2

After completing this four and half years of (MBBS) degree course in which one has to study (subjects anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, forensic medicine and toxicology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, community medicine, medicine, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery)and one years and  six months compulsory training one  has to go for specialization is Anatomy that is MD (anatomy).

Step 3

After completing this two to three years of MD(Anatomy) course one can take different careers paths open to anatomists in universities or medical centers. The government and private scientific foundations also employ anatomists.

Fees and Other Expenditures: Although varying from college to college, the total course fee for an MBBS degree and specialization course in Anatomy ranges from anywhere near few thousands in a government college to around Rs 20 lakhs and even higher in private institutes. However during research programmes one is entitled to some remuneration which depends upon the merit of the candidates and the institution from where the higher studies like PhD are being pursued. 

Remunerations after becoming an Anatomist

Now there is wide scope for those who are joining medical field as an Anatomist as career in the present scenario. Apart from joining a private or government hospital, younger doctors can find lucrative placements with huge salaries in corporate hospitals as educators and researchers. With starting salary anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 depending upon the competence of the individual Anatomist. One can also be a visiting anatomist at several hospitals and charge by the hour. In developed countries one can earn around £20,000 a year, plus extra from giving demonstrations. Lectureships at the university start at about £35,000. There's a definite career progression in a few years, one might be a senior lecturer, and one can climb to the top of the department.