ENT specialist

Duties and responsibilities

An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.

SALARY

The Bureau of Labor Statistics furnishes an average income of $184,650 for all physicians and surgeons regardless of specialty in its May 2011 statistics. ENTs in general earn more than the average physician. Locum Tenens, a specialist in term-based staffing, reports an average income of $302,500 for ENT physicians.

EDUCATION

A Bachelor's Degree

The first step in the road to becoming an ENT physician is a four-year college degree. While many students complete pre-med programs, it is not required. Regardless of your major, medical schools will want to see a strong college record in math and science, particularly in biology and chemistry. That, and your score on the Medical College Admission Test, will matter more to them than whether your diploma says Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Medical School

Try to choose a medical school that has an otolaryngology specialty track. This will allow you to take specialized courses in your third and fourth years of med school. If this is not possible, you will need to gain this knowledge through your residency experience. When you finish medical school, you will have an M.D. degree but you will not yet be able to practice medicine on your own.

PICTURE

REFLECTION

I don’t think I would want to be a ENT Specialist because I have something planned for me and I for it looks boring and gross. I wouldn’t want to be looking into someone’s ear or nose for me that disturbs me.