How To Become A Hematologist?

In order to become a hematologist, one needs to:

• Complete a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on physical sciences, biology and laboratory practice;
• Maintain a high GPA;
• Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT);
• Complete the 4-year training at the licensed medical school in order to ear the M.D. Degree;
• Pass the final stage of United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE);
• Complete a hematology residency that lasts for 3-5 years. The residency for future hematologists may include:
  • Pediatrics;
  • Internal medicine;
  • Pathology;
  • Oncology (as hematology may involve blood cancers);
• Join a hematology or oncology fellowship (usually 1-2 years). During the fellowship, the students may study:
  • Pediatric hematology;
  • Coagulation;
  • Adult hematology
  • Hematology/oncology (both adult and pediatric);
• If one wants to choose a research track, one may need to pursue a Ph.D. Completing grad school that can last from 3 to 5 years, depending on the type of study.
• It is possible to work as a researcher, oncologist, and hematologist at a hospital;
• Hematologists also need a strong background in laboratory work;
• Hematologists need to be certified by the American Board of Internal medicine.

Salaries for hematologists range from $169,058 to $272,985 per year.