Medical Microbiologist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA medical microbiologist works with other members of medical teams including physicians, consultants, nurses and even the patient and their family to identify the cause of infectious diseases and help to treat the disease and control the symptoms and spread of the condition.
A medical microbiologist is called upon to complete the various tests required to specifically identify problematic organisms in the blood, tissue or body fluids that will help the treatment team decide the most effective drug therapy or antibiotic treatment for the patient. The medical microbiologist may be a specialist in:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hematology or blood related infections and diseases
- Parsitology or parasitic infections
- Mycology
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Infectious diseases
In addition most medical microbiologist have a broad medical background and have experience working as a pathologist or physician in various clinical settings. A medical microbiologist must be able to look at the whole patient and symptoms to help determine what tests may be needed to determine the infectious disease or condition that is present.
The medical microbiologist must communicate effectively with all treatment team members and must also be able to examine the environment that the patient has interacted with to determine the source of contamination.
Most modern labs require experience with a variety of computer software programs and advanced technology that help the medical microbiologist with diagnosis of rare or abnormal test results. Experience with these programs is considered essential to the ability to work in as a medical microbiologist.
|
Career RequirementsMost medical microbiologist positions require at least a Masters level education in microbiology, biology or pathology and significant laboratory experience. Many advanced positions or research management positions require a PhD in microbiology or a degree as a pathologist.
In some laboratories a Bachelor in Science with specialized training in microbiology may be acceptable for technical positions and laboratory experience and additional training can be used to obtain a medical microbiologist standing.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookThe demand for medical microbiologists will continue to remain steady for the next several years. As more and more emphasis is placed on preventing the spread of potentially dangerous diseases and conditions the need for early detection is becoming more important.
The medical microbiologist can be instrumental in correctly identifying any infectious diseases or communicable conditions and help the public health officials in managing or planning control protocols.
|
Career TrackA medical microbiologist with a Masters level education or higher may enter laboratory management, research, or may work as a consultant for various pharmaceutical or health research agencies. Some medical microbiologist may decide to work within non-profit agencies that specialize in assisting developing countries in establishing public health or medical procedures and protocols for controlling infectious or communicable diseases.
|
CompensationA medical microbiologist will usually earn between $95,000 and $125,000. With supervisory roles or work in private research a medical microbiologist can earn in significantly more per year than they will in government or hospital or healthcare facility careers.
|