A bloody fantastic career

Haematology, also known as hematology, is the medical field dealing with blood. Doctors in this healthcare sector, haematologist, or hematologists, can be found testing blood samples, treating genetic disorders, and other blood related conditions or issues.

What Haematologists Treat

There are a lot of blood disorders and diseases out there. A few genetic issues, such as hemophilia and thalassemia, are managed rather than cured. For example, hemophilia is where blood doesn't clot properly and patients with the disorder require routine synthetic protein infusions. Another example is thalassemia, a blood cell irregularity that requires multiple blood transfusions over a lifetime.

Although these conditions are fairly straightforward to diagnose and treat, not all blood-related diseases are quite as simple. Some require a keen eye and profound know-how to identify a patient’s specific ailment.

Here are few blood issues medical students will learn about intimately before earning their certification:

Red Blood Cell:

• Anemia - Low number of cells
• Sickle Cell - Sticky, stiff cells can lead to blockage, severe pain, or organ damage
• Malaria - Rupture of cells, fever, chills, and organ damage

White Blood Cell:

• Lymphoma - Too many are produced, can harm patient, and sometimes is curable
• Leukemia - Cells multiply in bone marrow, attacks healthy cells, may be curable
• Multiple Myeloma - Too much plasma is produced, becomes malignant

These are just six issues you may treat as a hematologist. There are many other diseases you may come across that all have similar symptoms. Once you complete your education, however, you will be prepared to handle them all.

How to Become a Hematologist

Going to and graduating from a 4-year college is a mandatory education requirement for hematology. During this time, students will work to acquire a bachelor's degree in a science-related field.

Then comes medical school. Getting into med school will be a challenge. Each prestigious academy looks for high GPAs, as well as MCAT scores, recommendations, and loads of volunteer hours at your local clinic.

Be sure you plan for this and start early.

Duration of time spent at medical school is typically 4 years. After the first half, successful students should be able to pass the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, also known as USMLE. This revolves around learning how to examine and diagnose patients. The latter half will prep students for USMLE, part 2, which goes over medical theories. Students that pass this should be ready for the next phase, fellowship.

The fellowship, or residency, program can take up to five years to complete. During this time, students complete a 2-year internal medicine practice under the supervision of a trained professional in the field. Students then enter into their specific field working under a licensed hematologist. Once a med student is ready and eligible, they can take the certification test issued by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Passing this last portion means the student is ready to start earning up to $200,000 a year.