Become A Cardiologist
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Working As A Cardiologist
$376,758
Average Salary
What Does A Cardiologist Do At Virginia Commonwealth University
What Does A Cardiologist Do At Catholic Health Initiatives
What Does A Cardiologist Do At HRC
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How To Become A Cardiologist
Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.
EducationMost applicants to medical school have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. Although no specific major is required, all students must complete undergraduate work in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English. Students also take courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain experience in a healthcare setting.
Medical schools are highly competitive. Most applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant’s personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.
A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 or 7 years.
Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and the laws governing medicine. They also gain practical skills, learning to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses.
During their last 2 years, medical students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas.
Important QualitiesCommunication skills. Physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators. They must be able to communicate effectively with their patients and other healthcare support staff.
Compassion. Physicians and surgeons deal with patients who are sick or injured and may be in extreme pain or distress. Physicians and surgeons must be able to treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding.
Detail oriented. Physicians and surgeons must ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment and medications. They must also monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.
Dexterity. Physicians and surgeons must be good at working with their hands. They may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences.
Leadership skills. Physicians who work in their own practice need to be effective leaders. They must be able to manage a staff of other professionals to run their practice.
Organizational skills. Some physicians own their own practice. Strong organizational skills, including good recordkeeping, are critical in both medical and business settings.
Patience. Physicians and surgeons may work for long periods with patients who need special attention. Persons who fear medical treatment may require more patience.
Physical stamina. Physicians and surgeons should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting or turning disabled patients. Surgeons may spend a great deal of time bending over patients during surgery.
Problem-solving skills. Physicians and surgeons need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments. They need to do this quickly if a patient’s life is threatened.
TrainingAfter medical school, almost all graduates enter a residency program in their specialty of interest. A residency usually takes place in a hospital and varies in duration, generally lasting from 3 to 7 years, depending on the specialty.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAll states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty.
All physicians and surgeons also must pass a standardized national licensure exam. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state’s medical board.
Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 7 years in residency training; the length of time varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).
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Cardiologist jobs
Cardiologist Career Paths
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Senior Medical Assistant 4.0 years
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Cardiologist 4.0 years
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Cardiology Technician 3.9 years
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Cardiac Nurse Specialist 2.9 years
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Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist 2.8 years
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Medical Doctor MD 2.4 years
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Clinical Assistant 2.3 years
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Fellow 9.1%
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Physician 8.1%
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Internship 7.7%
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Registered Nurse 7.0%
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Research Assistant 6.0%
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Medical Assistant 5.6%
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Assistant Professor 5.6%
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Medical Director 4.6%
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Chairperson 3.9%
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Director 3.5%
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Staff Physician 3.5%
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Attending Physician 3.5%
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Internist 3.2%
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Sales Representative 3.2%
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Clinical Instructor 3.2%
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Medical Assistant 16.9%
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Registered Nurse 8.2%
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Chairperson 5.3%
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President 4.9%
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Medical Director 4.9%
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Director 4.1%
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Internist 4.1%
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Fellow 4.1%
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Physician 3.7%
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Assistant Professor 2.9%
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Volunteer 2.9%
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Internship 2.9%
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Cardiologist
Top Careers After Cardiologist
Cardiologist Demographics
Gender
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Female
62.8% -
Male
34.7% -
Unknown
2.5%
Ethnicity
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White
68.3% -
Hispanic or Latino
13.1% -
Asian
12.2% -
Unknown
5.3% -
Black or African American
1.1%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
46.4% -
French
10.7% -
Gujarati
7.1% -
Hindi
7.1% -
Urdu
7.1% -
Russian
3.6% -
Portuguese
3.6% -
Chinese
3.6% -
Dari
3.6% -
Arabic
3.6% -
Italian
3.6%
Cardiologist
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Cardiologist Education
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Brown University
9.8% -
University of Alabama at Birmingham
5.9% -
Grossmont College
5.9% -
Johns Hopkins University
5.9% -
University of Miami
5.9% -
Case Western Reserve University
5.9% -
West Virginia University
5.9% -
Michigan State University
5.9% -
University of South Florida
5.9% -
University of Texas at Arlington
3.9% -
Washington University in Saint Louis
3.9% -
Concorde Career College
3.9% -
Remington College
3.9% -
Harvard University
3.9% -
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
3.9% -
University of California - Davis
3.9% -
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
3.9% -
Wayne State University
3.9% -
Saint Louis University-
3.9% -
Southwest Tennessee Community College
3.9% -
Medicine 24.1%
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Nursing 15.4%
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Business 7.5%
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Medical Technician 6.7%
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Biology 4.7%
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Clinical Psychology 2.8%
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Psychology 2.4%
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Biomedical Sciences 2.4%
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Physician Assistant 2.0%
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Education 2.0%
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Osteopathic Medicine 1.6%
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Chemistry 1.6%
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Management 1.2%
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Veterinary Science 1.2%
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Neuroscience 1.2%
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General Studies 1.2%
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Special Education 1.2%
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Other
39.1% -
Bachelors
22.2% -
Doctorate
10.6% -
Masters
10.3% -
Associate
8.4% -
Certificate
6.3% -
Diploma
1.9% -
License
1.3%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Cardiologist
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Real Cardiologist Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist-Interventional | Wheeling Hospital, Inc. | Wheeling, WV | Jul 15, 2016 | $750,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Marietta Health Care Physicians, Inc. | Marietta, OH | Jan 07, 2016 | $622,559 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | St. Alexius Medical Center | Bismarck, ND | Feb 27, 2015 | $622,500 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | River To River Heart Group, LLC | Marion, IL | Jan 11, 2016 | $619,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Mercy Clinic Fort Smith Communities | Fort Smith, AR | Jan 09, 2016 | $575,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Regional Employee Assistance Program | Lufkin, TX | Dec 01, 2015 | $560,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Regional Employee Assistance Program | Lufkin, TX | Jan 11, 2015 | $560,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Regional Employee Assistance Program | Livingston, TX | Sep 16, 2016 | $560,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Regional Employee Assistance Program | Lufkin, TX | Sep 16, 2016 | $560,000 |
| Cardiologist | Faith Regional Physician Services LLC | Wayne, NE | Jan 07, 2016 | $553,050 |
| Cardiologist | Faith Regional Physician Services LLC | Norfolk, NE | Jan 07, 2016 | $553,050 |
| Cardiologist | Marietta Health Care Physicians, Inc. | Marietta, OH | Jan 12, 2015 | $550,000 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Sanford Clinic | Aberdeen, SD | Jun 04, 2016 | $550,000 |
| Cardiologist (Non-Invasive) | Geisinger Clinic | Scranton, PA | Jun 09, 2016 | $420,000 - $480,000 |
| Cardiologist | UPMC Altoona Regional Health Services, Inc. | Everett, PA | Jan 09, 2016 | $420,000 |
| Cardiologist | Geisinger Clinic | Lewistown, PA | Jan 07, 2016 | $420,000 - $480,000 |
| Cardiologist | UPMC Altoona Regional Health Services, Inc. | Bedford, PA | Jan 05, 2016 | $420,000 |
| Cardiologist | Partners Physician Group | Akron, OH | Jan 07, 2016 | $410,000 |
| Cardiologist | Partners Physician Group | Lodi, OH | Jan 07, 2016 | $410,000 |
| Cardiologist | Hackensack University Medical Center | Hackensack, NJ | Jun 19, 2016 | $350,000 |
| Cardiologist | Oak Hills Medical Corporation | Bakersfield, CA | Jul 01, 2015 | $350,000 |
| Cardiologist | Dickson Medical Associates PC | Dickson, TN | Jan 09, 2016 | $350,000 |
| Cardiologist | Dickson Medical Associates PC | Dickson, TN | Jan 07, 2016 | $350,000 |
| Cardiologist Physician | Methodist Lebonheur Healthcare | Memphis, TN | Jan 07, 2016 | $350,000 |
| Cardiologist | Crouse Medical Practice | Syracuse, NY | Sep 01, 2015 | $350,000 |
| Non-Invasive Cardiologist | Batesville HMA Medical Group, LLC | Batesville, MS | Sep 25, 2015 | $350,000 |
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Top Skills for A Cardiologist
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Top Cardiologist Skills
- EKG
- Nuclear Cardiology
- Nuclear Stress Tests
- Roomed and performed vitals on patients, administered injections, performed EKG's, and testing on patients.
- Assembled & programmed holter monitors.
- Assist cardiologists in the management of heart failure patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
- Reviewed lab results with patients.
- Specialized in Radial Interventions, Peripheral angioplasty, Vein ablation, Pacemaker implantation and TEE.