A hematologist is a physician who treats diseases of the blood. The field is divided into different types, including hematopathology, oncology and stem cell transplantation. To become a hematologist in the United States, you need to earn a license from the American Medical Association (AMA) and complete two years of residency training in internal medicine or pediatrics followed by three years of fellowship training in hematology. This article also provide information on careers in hematology, hematologist salary.
How to Become a Hematologist
Hematologists are internal medicine doctors or medical practitioners who have extra training in disorders related to your blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. They’re specialists who may work in hospitals, blood banks, or clinics. Hematologists who practice in labs are called hematopathologists. They’re trained in pathology, a branch of medicine that examines body tissues and blood with microscopes or tests. Some hematologists are generalists, while others focus on specific conditions and organs that require extra training.
Skills Required to Become a Hematologist
Aspiring candidates with knowledge of the latest medical developments in the field of Hematology, zeal to work in demanding conditions, and genuine care and concern for their patients can become successful Hematologists by acquiring a required qualification. Some of the other essential skills required to become a Hematologist are:
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Exceptional written and verbal communication
- Analytical mindset and good problem-solving ability
- Diligence and attention to detail
- Good organizational skills
Top Universities Around the World
Some of the top universities across the world that offer Hematology courses are:
| University | THE Ranking(2021) |
| University of Chester, UK | 1201 |
| London Metropolitan University, UK | – |
| Universiti Malaya, Malaysia | 301 |
| University of Westminster, UK | 801 |
| The University of Sydney, Australia | 58 |
| National University of Ireland, Ireland | 351 |
| Manchester Metropolitan University, UK | 601 |
| University of Liverpool, UK | 178 |
| Keele University, UK | 501 |
| Middlesex University, UK | 401 |
| Kingston University, UK | 801 |
| Trinity College Dublin, Ireland | 146 |
| Sapienza University of Rome, Italy | 197 |
| University College London, UK | 18 |
| University of Cambridge, UK | 5 |
Top Degree Courses
If you are looking for a degree in Hematology, here are some of the courses that are offered across different universities in the world:
- MSc Hematology and Transfusion Science
- Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences(Oncology and Hematology)
- MSc Hematology
- MSc Blood Science
- MSc Biomedical Sciences (Hematology)
- M.Sc Hematology & Blood Transfusion
- Graduate Diploma in Cancer and Hematology Nursing
- Master of Cancer and Hematology Nursing
- Master of Medical Science in Clinical Pathology (Hematology)
- MD Hematology and Leukemia
- MPhil Hematology and Leukemia
- PhD Hematology and Leukemia
- MPhil in Medical Science( Hematology)
- Ph.D. in Hematology
- MPhil Hematology
- Doctor in Philosophy in Hematology
Eligibility
- If you are willing to go for a specialization in Hematology, students require 10+2 qualification in Science with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as subjects with minimum 45 % marks in aggregate for bachelor courses.
- Students planning to study abroad may have to appear for entrance tests like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, PTE, etc
- In order to pursue MD in Hematology, students are required to have a medical background, i.e., a MBBS degree of minimum 5 years along with work experience
- Applicants must hold an appropriate first degree with a minimum of 2:2 honors (e.g. in Medicine, Biomedical Science, Dietetics, Human Biology, etc)
Admission Process
The specifications might vary from one University to the other, students must checklist the following common steps to apply to a Hematology course:
Step-1: Shortlist a University
When planning to apply to a foreign university for a Hematology course, the first step is to select a suitable University, depending on the specializations offered and the availability of supervisors in the proposed research area. Also, students must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements set by the University that they are applying to.
Step-2: Gather the Documents Required
Once you have shortlisted a University, the next step is to compile all the documents. This will include test scores, SOP, Letters of Recommendation, and more. Here is a document checklist for you to tick off:
- Certificate for completing 10+2 education from a recognised Indian broad with minimum marks.
- Original academic transcripts from previous academic institutions.
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendations
- Scores of English Proficiency Tests
- Passport and other ID proof
- Bank statements to provide proof for Financial Funds
- Offer Letter
- Student visa
Step-3: Get Started with Your Online Application
After compiling the necessary documents, students can begin their online applications by filling in the required details including Personal, Academic, and Professional background.
Career Scope
There is a structured career path within Hematology architecture. Once qualified, you can progress through your job roles by gaining experience and completing further training, study and research. Promotion is based on merit and you may need to move to other hospitals to make the most of available opportunities.
Once you’ve got enough experience, it’s possible to apply for jobs in various hospitals across the world in specialist areas such as:
- Immuno Hematology
- Pediatric Hematology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Genetic Disorders
- Haemato-oncology
hematologist salary
Best Countries for Hematology with Average Salary
| Country | Salary |
| United States | INR 1.8 crores per year |
| United Kingdom | INR 93.9 lakhs per year |
| Canada | INR 2.2 crores per year |
| Australia | INR 90.4 lakhs per year |
| Austria | INR 1.6 crores per year |
| Finland | INR 1.78 crores per year |
careers in hematology
You’ll have a dual role as a haematologist and take an active part in every stage of a patient’s care – from their initial clinic visit, to diagnosis through laboratory assessment, and treatment and follow-up. The holistic nature of your role will be a highlight of your work, and you will build relationships with patients of all ages and from diverse backgrounds with a range of haematology presentations and conditions.
During your training you will be expected to do some paediatric haematology. You can then continue your career focused on young teenage adults, or specialise in conditions usually only seen in the elderly.
Your work will also be varied through a balance of inpatient and outpatient work and practical aspects including several procedures.
You will see patients with malignant conditions such as leukaemias, myelomas and lymphomas as well as patients with anaemia, haemophilia or clotting disorders. You’ll provide clinical support for the haematology diagnostic laboratory, as well as the blood bank through transfusion medicine.
Depending where you work, you may care for patients having bone marrow or blood transfusions for specific conditions.
Typically, your role will include:
- delivering clinical care, often for life-threatening disease
- formulating chemotherapy protocols and managing their delivery
- managing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation procedures
- providing advice on haematology laboratory results
- sampling the bone marrow through biopsies and interpreting the morphology under a microscope
- performing lumbar punctures and giving intra-thecal chemotherapy
- potential research commitments
Importantly, you’ll be part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides care to patients with haematological conditions. The rest of the team will includes clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists, research nurses, dieticians, and biomedical, and clinical scientists.
You will also provide an advisory and consultancy service to GPs and other hospital specialists, including surgeons and intensive care and emergency doctors. This liaison work, along with assistance in the clinical interpretation of laboratory data, can be very satisfying.
