The hepatologist is a medical practitioner, expert in diagnoses and treatment of patients with a variety of conditions and diseases related to liver, pancreas, gallbladder, biliary tree and other related organs.
Hepatologist's job description includes performing different kinds of medical diagnostic tests like biopsies, ultrasounds, and endoscopies to diagnose and treat patients affected with problems of liver and related areas like hepatitis, pancreatitis, liver cancer, jaundice, enzyme deficiencies, cirrhosis of the liver, and biliary atresia to name a few of them.
Hepatologists are also engaged in research and conduct studies to gain a better understanding of these organs to develop new and more effective methods of treatment.
Sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits, increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco products has been responsible for spurt increase in the patients suffering from diseases related to lungs and other related organs. Thus it is increasing the demand for expert Hepatologists with excellent abilities to provide health services to the patients. This demand has created a lot of opportunities for budding Hepatologists in this area of medicine.
Young Hepatologists with specialized qualification and knowledge of the latest medical techniques and developments in the field of Hepatology can make their career success in this field.
Hepatologist Eligibility
Aspiring candidates who want to become Hepatologist must possess a 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 2-3 years M.D (Medicine)/DNB course. After attaining the Master's degree candidates have to do D.M (Hepatology) to specialize in the field of Hepatology.
Hepatologist Required Skills
- Hepatologists should be able to demonstrate clinical competence, procedural skills and moral and ethical behaviour in the clinical setting.
- They should be known about clinical epidemiology; design and conduct of clinical trials; preparation of manuscripts and grant.
- They must also possess teaching and presentations skills; critical appraisal of the literature; ethics and responsible conduct of research
How to become a Hepatologist?
Aspiring candidates have to follow the below given steps to become a Hepatologist.
Step 1
Students who have appeared or are appearing in +2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects) have to appear in an Medical Entrance Tests conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and AIPMT (Pre Medical Test) taken by the CBSE to admit candidates in various medical institutions affiliated with it.
The separate test is conducted by some of the highly rated medical institutions like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc. These exams are generally held in the month of May-June.
Step 2
After completion of this four and half year of MBBS degree course and one year and six months, compulsory training one has to go for M.D(Medicine).
Aspiring MBBS doctors have to appear in Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests like All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam and Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.
However, some institutes also provide admission on the basis of marks obtained in MBBS course and work experience of the aspiring candidates.
Step 3
After completing M.D.(Medicine) the aspiring candidates can enrol for DM (Hepatology) - a 3 years courses - for specialization in the field of Hepatology from some of the best institutes in India.
Step 4
After completion of three years of D.M. (Hepatology) course and getting the requisite registration from Medical Council of India, the budding Hepatologists can get jobs in reputed Government and Private Hospitals like AIIMS etc. Hepatologists with good entrepreneurial skill can also open their own Clinic and provide services to the patients.
Hepatologist Job Description
Hepatologists job description includes working with patients suffering from diseases related to the Liver and its related organs. Hepatologists along with taking care of their patients are also supposed to work in the lab analyzing various samples and other reports.
Prospect for Hepatologist appears bright in the coming times due to a rapid increase in patients inflicted with the diseases related to Liver and related organs. They can also get placed in the Hepatology department of reputed Hospitals like AIIMS, MAX etc. More enterprising Hepatologists can also open own Clinic. Some Hematologist can also opt for teaching jobs in different medical schools and colleges and teach their students basic techniques and treatments. Research is the other best option for the genius in the field.
Hepatologist Salary
Hepatologists in Government sector can expect to get nearly Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000, depending upon his experience and expertise. Besides they are also entitled to various other associated with it, such as free accommodation, medical coverage, and pension, paid vacation, sick days, and holidays as well as a flexible work schedule. Hepatologists engaged in the Corporate sector can expect anything between Rs.80,000 to Rs.1,00,000 per month. Hepatologists with an excellent track record running their own clinic have the ability to earn much more.
