How to Become an Invasive Interventional Cardiologist
Invasive or interventional cardiologists are surgeons who specialize in using techniques like balloon angioplasty and artery stents to keep the heart working properly. Becoming a cardiologist in this area of specialization takes commitment and years of specialized training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs for physicians and surgeons was expected to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. PayScale notes that the average salary range for invasive cardiologists ranged from $165,105 to $324,881 as of November 2010.
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Instructions
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Attend college and obtain a bachelor's degree. In order to get into medical school, the first step you will have to take is to get your undergraduate degree. Many people assume that the proper route to medical school is pursuing an undergraduate major in pre-medicine. In reality though, you can purse an undergraduate major in just about any field of study so long as you take the proper steps to ensure that you get accepted to medical school. Medical schools look at your overall grade point average, scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and what steps you have taken to prepare for medical school. Pursuing a major that is based in the sciences and math is one the surest ways to do this.
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Apply to medical schools with a strong reputation in internal medicine or more specifically, cardiology. According to U.S. News & World Report, the top schools in this field are Johns Hopkins University, Harvard, Yale, the University of California--San Francisco, the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Michigan and Columbia University.
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Complete medical school. Medical school typically takes about four years. During those four years, you will be introduced to many of the basic aspects of being a physician. During the last two years of medical school, you will likely take courses related to your area of specialization as you also begin to gain some level of hands-on experience in basic medical practice.
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Complete a medical residency in invasive cardiology. A residency is a period of hands-on training that you will complete after you finish medical school. Most medical residencies last three to four years in length. During that period, you will work under the supervision of a board-certified interventional or invasive cardiologist.
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Obtain your medical license. This process actually begins during your last year of medical school so that you can practice medicine as part of your residency, but once you have finished your residency and are ready to begin full-time medical practice, you can obtain your medical license in the state in which you intend to set up shop. The requirements can vary by state, but most states will require you to complete a licensing exam and pass an extensive background check.
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Obtain board certification through the American Board of Internal Medicine. Board certification is an indication that you have met all of the highest standards in the field of cardiology. Board certification usually involves passing an examination in your field of specialization in addition to meeting all of the necessary education and experience requirements.
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians and Surgeons
- PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Physician/Doctor, Cardiologist (Invasive) Jobs
- Providence Health and Services: Invasive/Interventional Cardiology
- U.S. News & World Report: Best Medical Schools
- American Board of Internal Medicine: ABIM Policies & Requirements
