An Immunologist is a medical practitioner who has specialized qualifications for treating allergies and other immune system illnesses or diseases. With the changing lifestyle and eating habits, the immune system of the human body is becoming weak day by day. There was a time when seasonal diseases were not at all considered diseases as the body was able to fight these diseases by itself. But now with a weaker immune system and unhealthy eating patterns, even simple diseases like gastrointestinal problems caused by food allergies, etc can prove fatal if not taken care of properly. And the medical practitioner that can take care of such diseases is known as Immunologist.
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 especially the third world including the Indian subcontinent, thereby making the role of an Immunologist even more important in today’s context.
So there is a good scope for today’s younger generation to make their career in medicine to claim not only good monetary fortunes but also high respect in society.
Immunologist Eligibility
One has to follow the below-given path to be an Immunologist-
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
1. Educational Qualification
To be eligible for joining the MBBS course one should be a 10+2 Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as main subjects and for institutions with at least 60% marks.
Immunologist Required Skills
- Immunologists should be hard workers, dedicated, and spirit to sever society as required although with some remuneration in lieu of providing its services.
- They should have discipline, patience, and commitment to excel in their respective field along with a lot of self-confidence.
- They should also have a well-organized approach to work; team working skills; a high level of self-motivation; flexibility and adaptability.
How to Become an Immunologist?
One has to follow the below-given steps for course admission along with other details-
Step 1
Interested candidate has to appear in entrance tests conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by the 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 tests are conducted by some of the highest-rated medical institutions 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 through a number of questions and patterns 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 year of (MBBS) Degree course in which one has to study (subjects that include 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 year and six months compulsory training one has to go for specialization is a medicine that is MD (medicine)
Step 3
After completing this two to three years of MD medicine course one can either take Find and complete a fellowship program or go for the practical experience by joining some Private or State-run hospital. One can also opt for his own clinic after getting the necessary affiliation or registration from the relevant governing bodies of the related field.
Fees and Other Expenditures: Although varying from college to college, the total course fee for an MBBS degree and specialization course in Immunology ranges from anywhere near few thousand in a government college to around Rs 20 lakhs and even higher in private institutes. However, during fellowship programs, one is entitled to some remuneration which depends upon the merit of the candidates and the institution from where higher studies like Ph.D. are being pursued.
Immunologist Job Description
The wide range of illnesses they treat includes patients with respiratory tract diseases like rhinitis or sinusitis, skin rashes such as dermatitis, gastrointestinal problems caused by food allergies, allergies to pharmaceuticals, and autoimmune diseases. If curing patients from this wide range of diseases challenges you, becoming an immunologist is a career for you to pursue.
Immunologist Career Prospects
There is a lot of scope for those who are joining the medical field as an Immunologist as a career in the present scenario. Apart from joining a private or government hospital.
Immunologist Salary
Younger doctors can find lucrative placements with huge salaries in corporate hospitals With a starting salary anywhere between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 depending upon the competence of the individual Immunologist. There is a lot of money in private practice as well and it only gets better for candidates as they win the trust of the patients and the goodwill is spread by word of mouth to attract more patients to the clinic.
A couple of years of dedicated work and some experience along with a master's degree could lead a doctor to a pay package of nearly Rs one lakh per month There is no upper ceiling to the earnings of a competent and capable Immunologist. One can also be a visiting Immunologist at several hospitals and charge hourly.
