What does an oncologist do?
Oncologists are doctors that are specialized in treating cancer and give medical care for a person diagnosed with the illness. They direct a patient's care during the progression of the disease, which begins with the diagnosis. Their roles include describing the cancer diagnosis and stage as well as discussing the treatment options and his/her or her desired alternative. Also, they provide compassionate and quality care. Additionally, they assist the patient control the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer medication.
Oncologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real oncologist resumes:
- Develop skills in managing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
- Scan all patient data in to EMR
- Operate EKG and other equipment to administer diagnostic tests.
- Treat many skin, lung, breast and prostate cancers as well.
- Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
- Prepare chemotherapy medications in the infusion center.
- Observe electrocardiogram testing and routine patient check-ups.observe upper G.I.
- Attend weekly seminars on oncology research and patient clinical evaluations.
- Consult with specialists within the hospital for possible radiation oncology treatment.
- Evaluate student interaction to identify their understanding of the presented diagnosis.
- Streamline account management by developing positive working relationships with insurance company contacts.
- Follow them throughout their hormone therapy, secondary hormonal manipulations, and chemotherapy treatment.
- Position and stabilize patients in preparation for treatment delivery, monitor the patient carefully during treatment.
- Initiate preventative measures, recognize emergent problems and care for patients requiring long term pain management.
- Implement EMR system-wide to all practice locations, dramatically improving medical documentation and optimizing charges for services by approximately $350K.
Oncologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Oncologists are proficient in Patients, Oncology, and Patient Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Compassion, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Oncologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 32%
Initiated preventative measures, recognized emergent problems and cared for patients requiring long term pain management.
- Oncology, 29%
Consulted with specialists within the hospital for possible radiation oncology treatment.
- Patient Care, 11%
Assisted in maintaining supply inventory to ensure availability for patient care.
- Hematology Oncology, 10%
Worked as an assistant to the head of the hematology oncology department manager.
- Surgery, 5%
Circulate surgical procedure; assist physicians during procedure and after surgery.
- Chemotherapy, 3%
Prepared chemotherapy medications in the infusion center.
Common skills that an oncologist uses to do their job include "patients," "oncology," and "patient care." You can find details on the most important oncologist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an oncologist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what oncologists do because "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." Additionally, an oncologist resume shows how oncologists use communication skills: "explained procedures to patients, which include methods of communication during treatment and follow up procedures during an emergency. "
Compassion. Another essential skill to perform oncologist duties is compassion. Oncologists responsibilities require that "patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress." Oncologists also use compassion in their role according to a real resume snippet: "required attention to detail, confidentiality, adherence to each doctor's individual preferences, accuracy, and compassion for patients. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of oncologists is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday oncologist duties, as "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "record detailed patient histories, and conduct complete physical examination. "
Dexterity. oncologist responsibilities often require "dexterity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "physicians and surgeons may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences." This resume example shows what oncologists do with dexterity on a typical day: "direct hands on patient experience obtain patient history and information obtain blood pressure perform injections assist in minor surgery"
Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for an oncologist to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what oncologists relies on this skill, since "physicians who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals." How this skill relates to oncologist duties can be seen in an example from an oncologist resume snippet: "demonstrate clinical care and healthcare leadership, while overseeing and directing a successful multi-specialty, integrative chiropractic practice. "
Physical stamina. While "physical stamina" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to oncologist responsibilities. Much of what an oncologist does relies on this skill, seeing as "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of oncologists: "assessed physical and psychological needs of patients as well as blood draws and accessing all types of central lines. "
The three companies that hire the most oncologists are:
- Intermountain Healthcare24 oncologists jobs
- Ethos Veterinary Health17 oncologists jobs
- Mayo Clinic15 oncologists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable oncologist resume templates
Build a professional oncologist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your oncologist resume.
Compare different oncologists
Oncologist vs. Associate professor, physician
A pulmonary physician specializes in diagnosing and treating respiratory and cardiopulmonary health issues. They provide consultations when it comes to health concerns, conduct various assessments and examinations to identify the patients' conditions, study medical histories, develop care and treatment plans, prescribe medication, and educate patients throughout the procedures. There are also instances when they must refer patients to other specialists, recommend interventions, and participate in research programs to discover new treatment methods. Furthermore, a pulmonary physician must provide advice and support to patients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between oncologists and associate professor, physician. For instance, oncologist responsibilities require skills such as "oncology," "medical oncology," "patient care," and "hematology oncology." Whereas a associate professor, physician is skilled in "internal medicine," "medical history," "clinical program," and "acls." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Associate professors, physician really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $167,880. Comparatively, oncologists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $213,581.The education levels that associate professors, physician earn slightly differ from oncologists. In particular, associate professors, physician are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an oncologist. Additionally, they're 17.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Oncologist vs. Pulmonary physician
A Resident Physician participates in a program of graduate medical education and training in a specialized area of medicine. They work with other members of the healthcare team to provide direct medical care to patients.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real oncologist resumes. While oncologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "oncology," "medical oncology," and "patient care," pulmonary physicians use skills like "emr," "bed hospital," "critical care position," and "acute care hospital."
On average, pulmonary physicians earn a lower salary than oncologists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, pulmonary physicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $205,661. Whereas oncologists have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $213,581.pulmonary physicians earn lower levels of education than oncologists in general. They're 10.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 17.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Oncologist vs. Resident physician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, oncologists are more likely to have skills like "oncology," "medical oncology," "patient care," and "hematology oncology." But a resident physician is more likely to have skills like "family medicine," "ob," "medical education," and "primary care."
Resident physicians earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $71,876. Comparatively, oncologists have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $213,581.Most resident physicians achieve a lower degree level compared to oncologists. For example, they're 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 27.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Oncologist vs. Cardiovascular disease specialist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between oncologists and cardiovascular disease specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an oncologist might have more use for skills like "patients," "oncology," "medical oncology," and "hematology oncology." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of cardiovascular disease specialists require skills like "patient appointments," "lab projects," "disease management," and "diabetes. "
In general, cardiovascular disease specialists hold lower degree levels compared to oncologists. Cardiovascular disease specialists are 7.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of oncologist
Updated January 8, 2025
