How To Become A Medical Geneticist?

How to become a medical geneticist

A Medical Geneticist is a specialist that consults patients about various genetic disorders and assists in family planning. A medical geneticist can also participate in research related to human genetics.

Suggested Reading: Other Types of Physicians

How to become a medical geneticist?

In order to become a medical geneticist, one should:

There are two possible career tracks afterward:

Researcher Track:

  • Get a graduate degree in genetics (masters followed by a Ph.D. in human genetics/medical genetics). It would take approximately 6 years (2 years for the Master’s degree and at least 3 years for the grad school to obtain a Ph.D.);
  • Complete a 2-year ABMG-accredited fellowship in:
    • Clinical, biochemical genetics;
  • Laboratory genetics and genomics (LGG);
  • Get certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) as a clinical laboratory geneticist;

Medical Professional Track:

  • Pass the Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT);
  • Join a licensed medical school and make sure to take advanced courses in pathology, anatomy, and microbiology. The study at the medical school last four years, including internship;
  • Pass the 3 stages of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE);
  • Join an accredited medical school and complete the 4-year course of study, including the internship rotations;
  • Join a 3-year residency in a primary medical specialty:
    • Internal medicine;
    • Pediatrics;
    • Obstetrics and gynecology;
    • Clinical/medical genetics;
  • Get certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG);
  • You can get additional training in:
    • Medical biochemical genetics (1 year);
    • Clinical molecular genetics (1 year);

Average Salary Range for Medical Geneticists

In the United States, the average salary for a medical geneticist ranges between $57,000 and $125,000 depending on the area of work.

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BioExplorer.net. (2024, December 15). How To Become A Medical Geneticist?. Bio Explorer. https://www.bioexplorer.net/how-to-become-medical-geneticist.html/.
BioExplorer.net. "How To Become A Medical Geneticist?" Bio Explorer, 15 December 2024, https://www.bioexplorer.net/how-to-become-medical-geneticist.html/.
BioExplorer.net. "How To Become A Medical Geneticist?" Bio Explorer, December 15 2024. https://www.bioexplorer.net/how-to-become-medical-geneticist.html/.

Key References

  • “Geneticist Job Description | Geneticist Training and Education Requirements | Healthcarepathway”. Accessed November 30, 2019. Link.

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