Requirements for a Gastroenterology Job

Gastroenterologists help treat patients who have conditions that affect the digestive track. The digestive track consists of parts that include the stomach, intestines, esophagus and colon. To get a gastroenterology job, you must attend eleven years of school past high school and you must pass numerous medical exams required by the state you wish to practice in.

Educational Requirements

A four-year undergraduate degree with concentrations in math, biology and chemistry will be required after you complete high school. You will be required to pass a medical entrance exam and then you will attend medical school, which is a four-year program. Next you will participate in a three-year residency program in Internal Medicine. The residency will be followed by two years of fellowship study and then your certification from either the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) or the GI (American College of Gastroenterology).

Careers

Your job will be as a Gastroenterologist, who will perform procedures such as endoscopies and help treat patients with gi tract problems or diseases. Colon cancer, cirrhosis, heartburn and bowel problems are conditions that are commonly treated by Gastroenterologists. Many doctors enjoy this type of work, because they get to diagnose and treat the health problems themselves. Most Gastroenterologists own their own practice or work with partners in a hospital.

Salary

The average salary for a Gastroenterologist is approximately $499,000 a year for those who work with a team in a hospital setting. However, the more patients the Gastroenterologist has, the more they will earn yearly. Those who own their own practice have an average approximate salary of over $750,000 annually.