How to Be a Medical Researcher
Medical researchers work in hospitals or science laboratories or independent organizations compiling and analyzing information about diseases, drug interaction and patient progress. They collect data, confer with doctors and patients and report findings to hospital administrators and others. Some medical researchers perform only analytical functions, while others take blood or perform other medical procedures.
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Instructions
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Hone your medical skills by entering school science contests or fairs throughout high school and college. Talk to medical researchers and visit science labs. Intern while in school taking biology courses.
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Study science, biology and other courses as an undergraduate and post-graduate student. Medical researchers work in such diverse fields as public health, applied research (where the research aims to find a new or improved use for a product or treatment), drug research and testing, health policy issues and clinical testing.
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Focus on a particular area of medical research. Many foundations dedicate their goals to achieving better understanding or treatment of certain diseases, such as the American Heart Association and the American Association for Cancer Research.
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Earn a Ph.D. degree in biological science for advanced medical research positions. A medical degree will be needed if the prospective researcher also desires to perform invasive procedures on patients, or prescribe drug or other therapy.
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Look at the Graduate Medical Education Directory, known as "The Green Book." Published by the American Medical Association, this directory lists medical residencies for aspiring medical researchers and other medical specialists. Check the National Institute of Health website for addition medical research openings.
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