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Medical Illustrator - Career Profile |
Career OverviewMedical illustrators provide a wide range of medical photography and graphic services to personnel working in medical and paramedical fields. This position is an important part of the health care team in the hospital. This person works closely with doctors, scientists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and is responsible for providing photographic and other visual records of patients and pathological materials.
These photographs and other visual records are valuable aids in early diagnosis of disease and confirming effective treatment. It is not unusual for the medical illustrator to be involved in a specialized technique such as flourescein auziograpy to delineate retinal blood vessels or the production of images for treatment planning in craniofacial surgery.
The Medical Illustrator must also have the expertise to produce, or oversee the production of, audiovisual teaching and lecture material as well as design the layout of annual reports and other related material. This person typically produces the artwork for scientific posters and general patient information. A high level of creativity and knowledge of various computer design programs is essential.
The medical illustrator must work closely with the treatment team to ensure that all the information documented is what the medical team requires. A medical illustrator must have an ability to work with patients from various cultures and with both physical and mental disabilities and conditions. Understanding both the overall treatment goals as well as the specific information required would help the medical illustrator document just what is needed.
This position requires a basic knowledge of anatomy and the technical and artistic expertise to illustrate it. As a part of the medical team this job requires good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. It is equally as important that the medical illustrator have both a sympathetic and professional attitude when dealing with patients and their families.
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Career RequirementsEntry level requirements for training to become a Medical Illustrator are an HND or equivalent qualification in photography and experience or training in graphic design or video. The Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators administers a certification program for illustrators that wish to be voluntarily credentialed. The designation of Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) denotes this credential and provides a recognizable means of signifying a level of expertise.
Most medical illustrators will have a three year in-service training practicum or internship that will allow them to develop skills under the supervision of an experienced medical illustrator.
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Job OutlookThe job market for this position is experiencing some changes but is still growing. While there is still a strong need for medical illustrators employed at hospitals, a trend is for working as a self-employed medical illustrator. This option will continue to increase in popularity with the use of computers and digital photography.
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Career TrackAside from stricter medical based illustration, employees in this field are finding use for their background in careers such as publishing and marketing for medical supply companies and medical equipment suppliers. Some medical illustrators are also self-employed in developing educational videos and booklets used in medical classes, training seminars and professional development workshops.
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CompensationThe median salary is around $44,000 a year. Entry level salaries range in the low $30,000 with experienced, highly successful medical Illustrators earning over $100,000.
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