Tag: career

One of the most high-demand jobs is the medical sales role because the demand is always on the high side.

This is due to the fact that the field is one of the few sectors that still require some face-to-face activities and also, the aging population isn’t helping in the matter as well.

So, are you motivated about the position and wondering how to become a medical sales representative?

The medical sales rep is equally a competitive field with a ton of work to do but building a career in this field isn’t rock science once you’re ready to tick the necessary boxes.

Before we get to discuss the things you need to put in place to become a medical sales rep, it’s important to state here that you’re in for a great paycheck in this field.

How to become a medical sales representative

According to a recent report by MedReps, average total compensation for medical sales reps is $149,544 with an average base of $92,698, coupled with an average bonus of $63,318.

So let’s get to the meat of things by discussing the things you need to do to become a medical sales representative. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s get to it!

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Though the minimum requirement to become a medical sales rep is a high school diploma, in all honesty, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree as many of these professionals have this at least.

You may also want to consider pursuing a Master’s of Business Administration as this will make you a perfect candidate for many organizations.

Also, you should consider the common fields such as marketing, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical business to focus on as this will make you a great choice for many businesses out there.

This corroborates the report by MedReps that not less than 98% of medical sales rep have at least a four-year degree from college or higher.

Follow a training program

Now that you’ve completed your degree program, the next thing you want to ensure is to follow a training program to hone your expertise, which will complement whatever you’ve learned while in the college.

But before you begin this type of training, you should be cleared about what type of training will benefit you the most.

Are you an individual who can gain enormously while following an online program or you can’t cope with such virtual classes?

If you’re like some, you may want to follow in-person classes to be able to make the most of the training program.

This type of class will also offer you the opportunity to relate with diverse students with varied experiences that can impact you positively.

The opportunity to network with not only with your colleagues but the teachers is a great thing that you can leverage in the future. You can even find a job though these networks of yours.

You also need to form the habit of prioritizing trainings even after you’ve gotten a medical sales rep position as this will help in making you a well-rounded and up-to-date rep in the field.

Because you can only learn the new developments in the field when you attend trainings and workshops.

Get some licensures

To advance your career as a medical sales rep, you need to get certified by various society and bodies on your society.

Yes, many employers care less about the certifications and all, but it’s your best bet to have these certifications.

You should reach out to the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative to become a certified member of the association. Becoming a member of these societies will even intimate you to the terminologies used in the field.

To be a certified member, you’ll be required to sit for the membership examination, which cut across various aspects of medical sales representative. The examination is just two hours long and you’ll need to have at least 80% to be inducted to the society.

Choose a Specialization

The next thing you want to do is to choose an area of specialization where you’ll focus on. If mental health is something that sounds up your alley, then tilt towards it.

Yes, it’s good to have knowledge that cuts across many of these fields, but employers are looking for expertise in their respective fields.

It’s important to niche down to a specialization and develop expertise in it. You may want to focus on sports medicine, then you should get on medical device sales as a career path.

The idea here is to trim down your expertise to an area and develop expertise in it as this will make you an authority in that choose path.

Gather relevant experience

Having relevant experience in whatever field you’ve choose can never be overstated. Experience will teach you on this thing is done in real life cases.

It’ll expose you to the reality behind the theoretical aspects you may have had while pursuing a degree and following training.

To gain the experience, you may want to volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness or work as part time at any medical sales company.

The hands-on experience will be invaluable and help get you up and running as a new medical sales rep.

Network

While networking at the college is something that’s highly encouraged and valuable, but networking as a professional level is critical to your success as a beginner.

Network while working or volunteering at any medical sales company with professionals already making waves in the industry.

Your networks may even link you up with opportunities available in their establishments or furnish you with some insider information regarding the industry and get you started on the right foot.

Build your online presence

You want to make sure you’re not only visible online, but accurately and professional visible. These days employers go to social media platforms and websites to do background checks on their prospective employees before they recruit.

This emphasizes the need for you to create a super cool and honest profile about yourself. Your LinkedIn profile should be top-notch, same with other platforms you’re registered on as this may make the difference.

Final thoughts

Becoming a medical sales representative in today’s world isn’t a difficult task if you’re passionate about the career path.

Medical sales generally is an exciting industry due to the progress in medical technology and the world’s population explosion.

So if you’d like to be a medical sales rep, follow some strictly the points highlighted above and you’ll realize how it’s not as hard it might have seemed in the beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Become a Medical Sales Representative

Below are some of the frequently asked questions on things to do to become a medical sales representative:

What’s the role of a medical sales representative? 

A medical sales rep sells medical supplies to doctors, clinics and hospitals. They are saddled with the responsibility of contacting prospective customers, explaining the features and functions of the medical products and answering questions the prospects may have and negotiating and closing the deal.

What qualities should a medical sales rep have?

There are a ton qualities a medical sales rep should have to be able to succeed in this career path and they are as follows: excellent negotiating skills, flexible and adaptable to challenges, problem-solving skills, time management skills and awareness of recent developments.

How hard is the field of medical sales industry?

The truth is that the medical sales industry is a very dynamic field, which requires a sales rep to always continue to invest in training to be able to catch up with this speed. It’s demanding and also very rewarding as evidenced by why many people today want to get in the field.

How often do I get to travel as a medical sales rep? 

Once you’ve chosen to be a medical sales rep, you should be prepared for an overnight travel as this is what the field is all about.

As corroborated by a recent study that says medical sales reps spend an average of 20 percent of their total time traveling overnight.

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Numerous employment opportunities exist in the medical and healthcare fields. As for the medical and healthcare business, nursing is an everlasting career.

That is especially true when you have a wide range of options to pick from, like becoming an RN, an LPN, and so on. When it comes to sub-disciplines of nursing, pediatrics has its own unique set of challenges and rewards.

Pediatric nursing is the most excellent option if you want to work with children while in the medical field.

Your innate loving and caring demeanor is essential for dealing with children in your position as a nurse.

You will need to go through as many pediatric nursing practice questions as possible in your preparation. But, what do you need to know to become a pediatric nurse?

Pathways of pediatric nursing

If you want to work in a specialized area of pediatric nursing, you may require further practical training. There are four primary career paths for pediatric nurses:

• Registered Nurse for Pediatrics

Working with children in hospitals and doctor’s offices requires a pediatric registered nurse or direct nursing care route.

Performing regular examinations on children of all ages and providing and ensuring that they get all of the care necessary according to their nursing care plan.

A pediatric registered nurse’s primary responsibilities include providing developmental tests and vaccines, working with parents and families to alleviate the stress of a child’s sickness, among others.

• Developmental Disability Nurse

If not adequately cared for, many mental and developmental disorders may influence a child’s performance and fundamental living and learning skills.

Children with autism spectrum disorders, Rett syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, and Down syndrome need special considerations from developmental disability nurses.

For example, they could aid and educate their loved ones about their children’s impairments and medical equipment, support them in achieving self-sufficiency, enhance their learning and communication abilities.

• Neonatal Nursing

A neonatal nurse is a healthcare professional who provides assistance and care to newborns, children born early and infants who have specific healthcare needs.

Additionally, a NICU nurse would be expected to monitor and provide support to newborns in the unit and educate parents about their kid’s health development to ensure that all medical equipment and therapies are functioning correctly on the child.

• Palliative Pediatric Nursing

Young children nearing the end of their lives give specialized care to ease their pain and provide the best possible treatment.

To successfully express the awful news and sympathy to the child’s parents, they know how to talk about their severe condition or death.

Other responsibilities include providing the family with crucial information to make informed choices, maintaining smooth communication between doctors, parents and nurses.

The rules of pediatric nursing

• Communicating effectively

It is crucial to communicate effectively with a diverse spectrum of patients, from teens to infants. You are not just dealing with children, but you are also dealing with adults who are unsure of the medical system and may be frightened by it.

Children also readily pick up nonverbal signs, so being mindful of your body language is critical. As a pediatric nurse, one of your responsibilities is making children afraid of doctors, and nurses feel safe and secure.

• Keep in mind those who you are supposed to care for

Working directly with families is an essential element of your career. Every day at the office, I look forward to having open contact lines with the parents and families I serve.

Besides giving medical attention, you also provide emotional support and care to the family.

• Boost Your Clinical Competence

Most nurses know that caring for an adult is quite different from caring for a youngster when they begin their careers.

A child’s health might swiftly worsen in an emergency room or hospital due to the differences in medication dosages.

There may only be a matter of seconds in which you must make a life or death choice for a child in your care.

A lot goes into becoming and working as a pediatric nurse, but it is undeniably worth putting in the time and effort to get there after years of dedication.

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A career in nursing will be demanding. You may have the heart to help people, but be realistic about what you expect from life.

A career in nursing is one of the hardest in the world. The workload, the emotional stress, and physical demands of the job can make it extremely difficult for some people.

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Moreover, climbing to the top can be somewhat of a struggle if you fall victim to the job’s trials. There will be curves in the road, but you need to overcome them and plod along.

Growth is a significant part of any career; however, actually moving up and gaining the promotions you deserve is complicated.

This article aims to help you grow in your career and allow you to gain the most out of your job. By the end, you should have a better idea about how to climb the ladder of success.

Here are some simple steps to move up in your nursing career.

Using your education to climb the ladder

Education or lack thereof is a critical obstacle that impedes you from climbing the corporate ladder. Employers want to see your academic credentials, but they expect you to practice what you’ve learned in the working environment.

This is easier said than done in a nursing career because studying alongside a full-time job can be highly stressful. Usually, a BSN degree in nursing is the stepping stone towards higher roles, but it demands time.

You may be wondering ‘How Long it Takes To Go From an ADN to BSN,’ the truth is, it depends on you.

If you’re working a full-time job as a nurse and opting for part-time study, it will take longer. But, if you can devote time and enroll in a full-time degree, you might have a better chance of finishing sooner and climbing up the ranks in a hospital.

One of the main things potential employers look for in a nurse is education and experience. Without a higher degree, you won’t have the right skills to qualify for the following position.

Practice empathy

Remaining empathetic with your patients, even if they’re complicated, makes for a good nurse. You will be surprised to note how many patients take note of how the staff behaves.

It takes one happy patient to put in a good word with the management and acts as a feather in your hat when it comes to the chance of a potential promotion.

Practicing empathy, understanding their issues, and feeling their pain can give you the connection you need with the patients.

You need to understand that these people are confused, scared, and irritated in their current situation. Be empathetic with your patients and do whatever you can for them.

Their comments on the feedback forms could go a long way in helping you grow through your career. Some clients/patients will go the extra mile and voluntarily talk to the management about you, which is enough for the administration to consider you for a higher role.

Help other colleagues

Nurses need to be helpful to one another. Since many don’t spend enough time with their families, they rely on you as a source of emotional support for them.

Listening to their struggles, covering their shift (if you can), and helping them with run-of-the-mill hospital tasks are just some of the things you can do to make their lives a bit easier.

Being there for your colleagues isn’t just limited to the healthcare industry; it’s all-encompassing. Lending a helping hand and being there for your colleagues always sets a good impression on the higher management.

Being a team player and an all-around great person is something the management usually notices without your knowing.

The nursing industry is one of the most challenging, so make things easier for someone if you can. Even if you aren’t benefitting, it’s always great to practice altruism.

Put on a smile

You knew what you were getting yourself into since your early days in nursing school. So, know that you signed up for this when the going gets tough.

Therefore, stressing out, looking upset, and taking days off might not be the best way to sell yourself.
It’s hard for everyone, but you need to be different. Get to work and put a smile on your face.

We understand how hard it can be to plod along through the mental and physical exhaustion, but frowning through the day isn’t going to make things easier.

Supervisors/managers look at how you’re handling the stress. If you can’t handle the current load, don’t expect to grow and be assigned new tasks in the future.

Employers are always looking for people who can juggle their tasks and not let stress get to them.

Dress nice, show up on time and don’t take days off

As a nurse, you want to ensure you’re there to tend to the influx of patients throughout the day. A neat, clean and timely nurse is irreplaceable in the healthcare sector.

Everyone appreciates someone who can handle their responsibilities and not look like they’ve been to hell and back doing so.

Showing up on time, dressing well, and not taking too many days off shows how committed you are to your duties and how well you can work in a hospital setting.

Appearance is everything in a job, and it is flawed logic to assume it would be different in a hospital.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this topic. The tips and tricks mentioned above will help you grow in your field and achieve more than mediocrity.

We’ve talked about the importance of education and covered factors relating to your dressing, punctuality, and supporting your colleagues.

All these factors, when combined, create the perfect image of a nurse destined to climb higher and achieve something great.

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Let us take a look at How to Become a Phlebotomist. A phlebotomist is in charge of health matters concerning the withdrawal of blood for diagnosis and donation, they are also responsible for inserting an intravenous line into a patient’s vein for treatments. 

This job requires individuals to get comfortable using the needles, collecting, labeling, and transmitting blood samples from the laboratory. This could be for diagnosis, building the blood bank, or administering treatment.

When it comes to the process and activities of recovering and maintaining good health, only experts are needed to be on deck as life is irreplaceable, that’s why expert Phlebotomist are usually needed in hospitals when it comes to handling patient’s blood.

All it takes to become an expert is to follow due procedures of learning and acquiring knowledge to be expertly dispensed.

If you have no phobia for blood or you are interested in helping patients through coming in contact with their blood for diagnosis and treatment, then becoming a phlebotomist is a great career to delve into.

How to Become a Phlebotomist; overview

Phlebotomists are also referred to as Phlebotomy technicians. Through venipuncture, they draw blood samples from patients in hospitals, blood banks; label and store them in blood containers for the process of diagnosis in the medical laboratory.

A phlebotomist must be knowledgeable about the medicine as they will be relating with clinical doctors and nurses.

To carry out their job effectively, they work under the supervision of the manager in a medical laboratory as the blood samples processed are taken to the medical laboratory.

In addition, they facilitate the donation of blood as they are in charge of collecting blood from donors after the verification by a qualified medic.

This duty they carry out by making the donor feel comfortable and less anxious while donating blood.

They draw blood and collect other tissue fluid as a specimen for the laboratory, label them properly to avoid the wrong diagnosis; they then transport them to the laboratory for testing.

The phlebotomist makes the job of the medical laboratory’s workers, doctors, nurses much easier, and the diagnosis of patients easy; this makes the treatment process defined.

Training and Education Required to Becoming a Phlebotomist

Acquiring knowledge cannot be overemphasized. In any field or profession, learning is necessary to becoming a professional.

Learning to become a professional phlebotomist comes with ease as far as the effort, dedication, and zeal to learn to exist within you, efforts put in place to get trained to become an expert will feel seamless. Outlined below are easy steps to becoming a phlebotomist:

Build an educational Background: The duration of training depends on the background education the individual has acquired.

To become a phlebotomist, it is necessary to have gone to a high school where background subjects on sciences would have been taught.

Normally, the intentional learning scheme to become a phlebotomist is between eight weeks to a year this is determinant both by the educational background of the aspirant and the school’s system.

The majority of a phlebotomist is trained by the institutions where they work. While in training, they take courses in health, sciences, and even psychology so that they can learn good patients’ relations to ensure proper treatment and comfort.

Attain Advanced Knowledge: Some phlebotomist might decide to get advanced knowledge in the field, this could be acquired in a community college or vocational institute or even career schools approved by the National Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences [NAACLS]; this is to ensure that quality education is given to students of phlebotomy.

In any of these approved institutions, you will be acquiring a High Diploma or GED in phlebotomy where you can learn to become a professional.

Immediately after gaining admission into any of these institutions, you pay your tuition fee and proceed to learn to become a professional.

While in any of these institutions, it is wise to get a good grasp of knowledge and experience by compulsorily adhering to instructions laid down at clinical hours; this is to give a first-hand experience of handling patients’ blood for either diagnosis or treatment.

While training, you will also learn more about medical terms as you will be working for hand in glove with the nurses and medical doctors.

Also, you will learn about anatomy because you will be puncturing the body of patients with needles; you will be in contact with the vein and other related body parts when dealing with their blood, hence, it is necessary to learn about the structure of the body.

Get Certified: Some phlebotomists might decide to get a national certificate; certification increases the chance of employability as it proves that you are knowledgeable about your practice.

Hence, get certified by the National Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences [NAACLS] or any recognized organization in your region.

In addition, you will be able to confidently meet other professionals in the field. This will augment your knowledge and increase the quality of your services to patients.

Certification by the approved body of your region gives you an edge to practice and to do nobly; you might want to consider getting certified by the approved body for phlebotomists.

Start Practice: The way to practice the knowledge acquired is to get a job where you can continuously attend to patients.

Over time, you would become a professional who dispenses duty with ease. Since it’s a medical field, you will be getting jobs in the hospitals, medical laboratories where patients go for treatment.

Also, While in contact with patients, you will be doing venipuncture by using the needles to puncture patients’ veins to get their blood samples for diagnosis or to fetch their blood while donating to the blood bank or to give treatment through the intravenous line.

While in practice, build more passion around the job so that your patients can enjoy the benefits of the dispensation of your duty. If you get to practice in the facility that got you trained, give it your best shot so that they can feel the impact of the training on you and the medical outfit.

Who Does a Phlebotomist Relate With?

Since phlebotomist deals with taking blood samples and other tissue fluid from patients, they relate with patients who need their blood drawn out of their body, either for diagnosis or to build up bank blood.

They also relate donors of blood to patients who need blood transfusion; they assist them in drawing out pints of blood.

In addition, they relate with patients who need the intravenous line fixed to their vein for treatment, and sometimes, for expertly drawing out blood samples through the line. Professionals are expected to do this job, that is why it is necessary to get properly trained.

Also, they work as team members with doctors, nurses, medical laboratory workers to bring out the best treatment and recovery process for patients in the hospitals.

Jobs for Phlebotomist

Generally, phlebotomists work in the health sector. They work in hospitals, medical diagnostic laboratories, disease research centers, and blood banks.

As far as diagnosis through blood samples is being carried out, phlebotomists are needed. Therefore, they will get the medical staffing to perform this duty for the growth of the health sector.

In the US for example, about 23 thousand full-time phlebotomists are needed in the nearest future to work in these medical outfits.

This goes to show how promising the field of phlebotomy is, so if you are considering a career path along this line, it isn’t a bad idea as it carries a lot for you; all you need is to learn, become a professional and then practice by getting involved in the healing process of patients.

There are no loose ends for you when you become a phlebotomist; you will be winning on all sides as you will be making a living out of the profession and also tending to the diagnostic and recovery process of your patients.

The functions of phlebotomists are also needed and employed in ambulatory care, outpatient care centers, and some physician offices. Hence, opportunities abound for you if intending to become a phlebotomist; just follow due processes to becoming one.

 Other skills and Requirements Phlebotomists should Possess

Beyond the certification and other formal education, some traits make one stand out as a phlebotomist; possessing these additional skills enhances the quality of service rendered during the dispensation of their duties.

A phlebotomist should be comfortable working with the needles because this is the major tool used on patients.

If the phlebotomist finds it hard to get comfortable with puncturing patients, this might put more anxiety into the patient, it might lead to several puncturing and even distort accuracy when trying to find the right point venipuncture.

Another skill that is pertinent in aiding the proper dispensation of phlebotomy is meticulosity. The phlebotomist must always be observant and ensure that full attention to detail is paid in all the processes of venipuncture.

The process of drawing blood samples has to be done gently and correctly by finding the right vein spot, also, the phlebotomist must ensure that the labeling process is correct to avoid mix up of diagnosis and in the ripple effect of wrong administration of treatment as the other medical professionals would trust and work with outputs from other team members.

Even the transportation of the samples must be done with correctness and safety. The case of corrupted samples has to be avoided to ensure that the actual result is gotten.

If any mistake occurs while labeling and transporting, it may cause serious adverse effects on the patients and if not quickly rectified could lead to more damages and in extreme cases, death.

Hence, a phlebotomist must possess the characteristic of observance, paying attention to all details and correctness. Striving for perfection should be a natural thing for a phlebotomist. These skills if not gotten naturally, can always be acquired.

The phlebotomist should also learn good relation and communication skills as they will be relating with patients whose blood needs to be drawn out.

It is psychologically imbalanced to draw blood out of a human, hence, phlebotomists need to learn how to communicate with patients in a soothing manner and put them at ease to allow their blood samples to be taken easily.

That is why in the course of the training or education in the approved institutions, psychology is offered to students so that they can know how to handle different patients in the right way to get the best result while dispensing their duties.

Team spirit is an essential skill for anyone who works in the health sector. This skill shouldn’t be lacking in a professional phlebotomist.

They must learn to dispense their duty while working hands in gloves with other medical practitioners in achieving the same goal of healing and recovery of patients. They often work under the supervision of the medical laboratory manager who transfers the test result or pints of blood getting to the doctors and nurse while giving treatments.

Final Words on How to Become a Phlebotomist

Choosing to learn and become a professional in the field of Phlebotomy is a great one as you are going to be part o the process of bringing recovery to the patients you come in contact with, this is a noble act and an important impact on humanity.

While you engage in this profession, you will eventually be earning cash for livelihood. In any field, of which phlebotomy isn’t excluded, becoming a professional need you to input your dedication towards acquiring knowledge, which entails that from high school to acquiring a diploma or GED, down to certification and actual practice with real-time patients, ensure that you dedicate your energy and time to learning and following instructions during the clinical hour to make sure that you learn to give out the best while dispensing your duty.

After the training process, you have little or no fear of employment as there are lots of opportunities for medical staffing as a phlebotomist.

Hospitals, medical and diagnostic centers, ambulatory health cares, and other related medical bodies require the service of a phlebotomist. Choosing to become one is a great and noble thing to do, start right away!

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The medical profession is an enviable one and one of the most delicate professions in the world. Thus the high quest to know how to become a doctor in the Philippines by many aspirants. 

As kids, we got quizzed about our prospective profession and I am sure that the majority answered with an ear-deep smile – a doctor!

Overview of how to become a doctor in the Philippines

If you still have that dream intact and you are willing to achieve it, then you have made the right stop. The admission processes for becoming a doctor vary in most countries but the curricula in most medical schools are similar.

The common base tethered towards achieving a medical career is high/secondary school education.

Subjects like Chemistry, Biology, Physics and sometimes Mathematics are core to the study of medicine. High school is usually the first step.

Among the Philippines (the epicentre of this article), a set of requirements must be met and they follow a chronological order.

The information contained in this article, is a step by step analysis of the steps to becoming a medical doctor in the Philippines. Hence, this article will divulge meaningful information about;

• The steps to becoming a doctor in the philippines.
• Medical schools in the Philippines
• The course division in med school
• The duration of study
• Some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about becoming an MD in the Philippines.

Medical doctors are the most sought-after, career-wise. The demand for MDs has become even higher due to the pandemic. Before you become the super-hero MD that you envision in the Philippines you must observe and meet these things.

The steps to becoming a doctor in the Philippines

Like in other countries, there are specific steps to becoming an MD. Generally, completing high school is the preliminary step.

High school education foregrounds the basis for the study of medicine. It offers foundational education for all professional courses. After high school, one must ensure to fulfill the following to become a medical doctor in the Philippines;

• Obtain a pre-medical degree
• Take and pass NMAT
• Apply for medical school
• Take the physician licensure examination
• Apply for medical residency

Obtain a pre-medical degree

The next step after high school is to pursue a degree in any medical-related field. It is a crucial step to actualizing your dreams of becoming a doctor. A pre-med course could take a maximum of 3years.

Pre-med courses may include Biology, Microbiology, Nursing etc. The pre-med school prepares you for the real med school. It also allows you time enough to evaluate your decision and help groom your emotions for what lies ahead. A piece of noteworthy information is that the medical doctors are front liners. So, yeah! You will need as much training as necessary to become an expert.

Take and pass NMAT

Upon graduation from pre-med school, acquiring a degree in medicine is a close call. However, being qualified for med school is overly dependent on your percentile rank in the NMAT. The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is a standardized screening test for qualified candidates vying for a medical degree.

So, until you have been scrutinized by sitting for and passing the NMAT, you will not be considered for any medical school in the Philippines. Strict? Well, as it should be.

You would not want to place a bet on your life at the expense of quacks, trust me. So, the strict measures put up by the Philippines’ Medical Authority (PMA) is witty and worthwhile. If you are about graduating from pre-med school, you are also eligible for the NMAT.

The NMAT is structured to measure your success in med school, however, it is not a 100% predictor and should not be taken for levity.

Apply for med school

From high school to college, then NMAT and finally med school. Med school should be the zenith of your medical career. Well, not exactly.

You will find out soonest. In med school, lectures and laboratory work are mandatory exercises as well becoming a junior intern in a hospital. You get firsthand experience in hospital duties and the constant work shifts.

These activities will go on within four years. In your fourth year, you get awarded a medical degree. Phew! Easy-breezy.

It’s a lot easier writing about it than actually experiencing it. At every stage, there are requirements. So as you apply for med school, ensure that the following documents are on ground;

• birth certificate
• official transcript of records
• certificate of candidacy from your college
• NMAT percentile score
• certificate of good moral conducts/ police clearance
• recommendation letters from professors

After tendering the enlisted, you may be required to sit for an entrance exam or be interviewed, based on the admission requirements for the med school you have selected. More so, in selecting medical schools in the Philippines, you may have to consider the following;

1. The NMAT percentile cutoff for your preferred med school: This will help you determine your chances of acceptance or admission. Thus, if your percentile score is below the standard or average score for the institution of your dreams, you would have to consider med schools with lower cutoff marks.
2. The minimum number of units for specific college subjects: Most med schools have a standard chart for the units required for a specific course in pre-med schools. It is either you make the minimum unit or you score above it.
3. Tuition fee: Medical school is not cheap and it is not free for all. It is important to take this into account. Seeing that a lot of medical students in the Philippines struggle through medical school due to finances, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers cash grants to medical students enrolled in state universities and colleges (CGM-SUCs). Students who benefit from the fee relief are to render one year of service in the country.
4. While selecting a med school, you should also consider the performance scale of your preferred med school. Check for the ones that has recorded and maintained excellence in board exams.

Take the physician licensure examination

Med school awards you are degree but does not give you license to practice. The physician licensure examination is what gives license to practice.

As a fresh graduate of medicine, your Doctor of Medicine degree is ultimately the most valuable but passing the PLE is what makes it valuable to you and to other people – patients and people around you.

The physician licensure examination takes place twice in a year, in March and September. The examination is administered by the Board of Medicine (BOM), under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

An average rating of at least 75% and scoring nothing below 50% in any of the subjects under the two categories from which questions will be culled from is what helps you ace the physician licensure examination. These categories are;

• Basic sciences: subjects under this category are anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology.
• Clinical sciences: subjects under clinical sciences are internal medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, legal medicine and preventive medicine.

Once you pass the PLE, you can begin General Practice (GP), officially and legally.

Apply for medical residency

Applying for medical residency is tantamount to applying for a job. The PLE gives you license to study as a General Practitioner (GP) but if you would want to become an expert in specialized areas of medicine.

Then residency is a good call. While general practice is rewarding, the major disadvantage is that GPs earn lesser income compared to a specialist.

Residency could take three years or more, depending on the area of specialty you have selected. The table below indicates residency programmes and the number of years required for training;

Once you have met all the necessary requirements, you will be able practice freely.

Medical schools in the Philippines

There are a lot of options to select from, however, I would be listing med schools with the best performance in board exams. They include:

• Ateneo de Manila University school of Medicine and Public health, Pasig city, Metro Manila : had a 100% passing rate in 2019 & 2020 and an above 90% passing rate from 2015-2018.
• Cagayan state University, Tuguegarao, Cagayan: had an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2017, 2019 & 2020.
• Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu city, Cebu: had a 100% passing rate in 2015, 2017, 2019 & 2020 and above 90% passing rate in 2016 & 2018.
• Davao Medical School Foundation, Davao city, Davao del Sur: had a 100% passing rate in 2020 and above 90% passing rate from 2015-2019.
• Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Quezon city, Metro Manila: had an above 90% from 2015-2020.
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Intramuros, Manila: had a 100% passing rate in 2016 & 2019, and an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2017 & 2018.
• Saint Louis University, Baguio, Benguet: had an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
• Silliman University, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental: had a 100% passing rate in 2015, 2017 & 2020 and an above 90 percent in 2018 & 2019.
• Luke’s College of Medicine, Quezon City, Metro Manila: had a 100% passing rate in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020 and an above 90% passing rate in 2018.
• University of Santo Tomas, Sampaloc, Manila: had an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
• University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon city, Metro Manila: had an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
• University of the Philippines – Manila, Ermita, Manila: had a 100% passing rate in 2015 and an above 90% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
• West Visayas State University, Iloilo city, Iloilo: had a 100% passing rate in 2019 and 2020 and an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
• Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental: had a 100% passing rate in 2018, and an above 90% passing rate in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Course division in Medical School

You are expected to complete a number of courses; theories and the practical aspect. I will be listing the courses in a chronological order;

First Year: the first year in med school is usually more of classroom activities with laboratory work. Courses to be taken by Freshmen include;

• Biochemistry
• Preventive medicine
• Community health
• Human anatomy and Physiology
• Psychiatry and medical practice 1

Second Year: Sophomores are exposed to the hospital experience as most medical schools in the Philippines, place med students in hospitals as lecture base. At this stage, they take or record a patient’s medical history. The following are the core and required courses in the second year of med school;

• Pharmacology
• Microbiology and Parasitology
• Pathology
• Medicine and Surgery
• Medical economics
• Psychiatry II

Third year: The whole of your third year will be centred on clinical management of common and rare medical conditions. Usually, the focus is on disease management and you will be required to familiarize;

• pathophysiology

Fourth year: In your fourth year you will become a junior intern at a hospital. The fourth year is the final year in med school, thus internship is required. You will be putting to practice all that you have learnt thus far. The fourth year is what helps you bag a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Most importantly, you will required to write a thesis, undergo a practical exam or carry out an independent research project at the end of the second or third year before you transition to clinical clerkship (internship).

The Duration or Length of Study

To be recognised legally as an MD takes about 7-8 years, if you would only want to go into General Practice (GP).

Pre-med courses take up 3years, med school is usually for 4years. After graduating, you will transition to post-graduate internship and will work closely with medical professionals while under the supervision of an ‘attending physician’.

Those who may likely become specialists, would spend a minimum of 10 years. This is because residency programmes take between 3-5years.

FAQs

Do med schools offer a condense medical programme?

Yes, there are and there are only a few where

you can study medicine within 6-7years. This means that the medical programme offered by the specific medical schools have been constringed to run within a shorter period from the usual. In the Philippines, programmes that make this possible are;

University of Philippines’, Intarmed

De La Salle Unversity’s, Bachelor of Science in Human Biology

De La Salle University in Dasmariñas

University of Santo Toma

Is the post-graduate internship mandatory?

Yes. Without completing internship hours, you will not be qualified for the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE). The post-graduate internship is the last phase of internship.

Will I be eligible for NMAT, seeing that my college grade is poor?

Of course, you are. However, you should put in an extra effort for the NMAT. Although, college grades and the NMAT percentile score is a requisite for med school. You should still make the effort.

Can I apply for medical school without the NMAT?

No. The NMAT is a standardised test that measures your eligibility for med school. Even if you have sat for NMAT, you must wait to receive your score. Otherwise, wait or sit for an NMAT if you have not.

How long does it take to get my NMAT score?

It takes about 20 business days after the examination date.

Do I need to pay an application fee?

Yes, you do. After tendering the required documents in the med school you have selected, it is imperative to pay an application fee. Application fees could cost P150 – P3000. An application fee is not the same as a tuition fee.

What pre-med courses makes me eligible for med school?

Pre-med courses like Biology, Nursing, Psychology, Medical technology, Pharmacy, Public health, Physical therapy etc.

Conclusion

In considering a career path in medicine, you must be prepared for everything. Medical school entails a lot and a degree in medicine is usually attained with rigor not to mention the expenses. However, in the Philippines, grants are offered to medical students to subsidize the tuition fee.

One interesting part about becoming a doctor in the Philippines is that you stand a greater chance for employment as there is always a need for MDs.

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Today, we bring to you What a Therapist Should not Do and why they shouldn’t indulge in such activities. 

How would you like to become a therapist with an easy flow with clients? Or how would you recognize a good therapist as a client?

Research has shown that about 50% of America’s population have visited a therapist at one point in their lives.

With this rise in interest, you need to equip yourself and offer the best as a therapist. Also, for a client, you may be willing to know what to watch out for during therapy, especially if it’s your first time at it!

In this article, we have summarized 21 things a good therapist shouldn’t do.

21 Things a Therapist Should not Do

Let’s get started!

1. Disregard Building of Trust

As a therapist, you should first build trust with your clients before anything else. Trust is the basic foundation for any relationship.

Hence, a therapist must never disregard this process as it is the basis for successful therapy sessions.

Try talking about simpler, general things with clients before moving to deeper conversations.

Always remember that clients will find it difficult to talk about their challenges if they don’t trust you; thereby making the therapeutic sessions crooked.

Imagine a therapist jumping to conclusions about his client without a background relationship, it would become an awkward relationship over time.

Therefore, if you want to progress with your clients, you must never disregard the process of building trust.

However, building trust doesn’t happen suddenly; it requires patience, proper planning and commitment from both parties.

How can a Therapist Build Trust with Clients?

• A therapist must show a willingness to know and understand their clients.
• Have respect for clients no matter what.
• Work with clients’ pace.
• Be helpful to them at all times.
• Speak freely with them.

If you don’t disregard the process of trust-building as a therapist, be ready to have a progressive ride with your client!

 2.  Give out Confidential Information

Keeping a client’s confidentiality isn’t just a nice thing to do as a therapist— it is the law.

According to the code of conduct for the American Psychological Association (APA), it is unethical to share a  client’s confidential information with anyone.

As a therapist, you must make it a top priority to protect your client’s privacy. Do not give out their confidential information!

This assurance allows them to share challenges with you without any fear.

Nonetheless, there are a few exceptions to keeping confidentiality in therapy.

• When the client is posing as a threat to himself.
• Or posing as a threat to public safety.

To help your client, it is better to share needed information that seems out of control with persons available to provide help.

Hence, it would be important for you to breach confidentiality in such a situation.

3. Judge/Condemn Clients

Always remember that the therapy room isn’t a judgement room. You shouldn’t judge your client for a situation they decide to share with you; neither should you condemn their thoughts, words or actions. A therapist should rather seek solutions without biases.

Besides, if a client feels judged, it becomes difficult to open up. This would hinder progress. A therapist should help and offer support, not judge clients.

 4. Lack Empathy

For you to connect better with your clients, you shouldn’t lack empathy. Instead, be compassionate and understanding about their challenges. This would make them open and honest with you.

However, if your clients sense a lack of empathy from you, it makes them feel uncomfortable. They may begin to feel they’re not in the right place, hence, making them hold back. As a result, you may find it difficult to provide proper guidance for them.

Admittedly, a lack of empathy is considered dangerous in therapy because before therapy can work, clients must feel understood.

A good therapist would seek to understand his client’s emotions through listening, concentration and active engagement.

5. Behave Unprofessionally

Unprofessionalism is a major turn off for many clients. Thus, it must be consciously avoided. Not only does it cause distractions, but it also makes clients uncomfortable during therapeutic sessions.

Therefore, to be a good therapist, you should know the best way to present yourself as a mental health professional; it says a lot about you and your work.

Here are some unprofessional behaviors you should avoid as a good therapist:

• Inappropriate dressing
• Habitual lateness to appointments
• Lack of hygiene
• Disorderliness around office space
• Too much informality during conversations
• Answering phone calls
• Touching clients inappropriately
• Acting bored or tired
• Sleeping off during a session

 6. Lack Confidence

It is possible to become shy and nervous during interactions with clients, especially for a newbie therapist. Nevertheless, therapists shouldn’t appear as such before clients.

If you lack confidence, it becomes difficult for clients to trust your guidance. In turn, this would cause a hitch in the therapeutic process.

Objectively, with your knowledge and the training acquired to become a licensed therapist, lack of confidence shouldn’t be an option.

 7. Be Disrespectful

It is unethical and unprofessional to be rude to your clients, no matter the age, status or wellbeing.

You should avoid any form of disrespect towards clients irrespective of their challenges. Also, don’t try to you use their weaknesses against them.

On the other hand, some clients may be rude to you. This doesn’t still give you the chance to become rude to them.

However, if things get out of hand, It would be better to draw the curtains than reciprocate an act of disrespect.

 8. Talk too much/too little

As a trained therapist, that means you should know how to read body language, how to handle tough situations, when to change topics during conversation and when to talk or keep silent.

If you’re doing most of the talking, that’s something to be wary of. You should give your clients the chance to express themselves.

Likewise, if you’re mostly mute during therapeutic sessions, you may not deliver the best to your clients. Since they’re in session to seek guidance, keeping silent would discourage them.

 9. Claim the Perfectionist

No one is perfect, we all strive to become better.

Therefore it is wrong for a therapist to assume perfection based on his knowledge and experience.

Sometimes, your diagnosis may be incorrect due to one reason or the other; this is why you shouldn’t be in a haste.

A good therapist should not always think of himself as perfect. On the contrary, he should be open to learning, admitting mistakes, accepting feedback/ corrections and studying updated therapeutic methods.

10. Talk in unrelatable language

90% of the time, clients may not understand some therapeutic/psychotherapy terms. Hence, you need to know the level of understanding of your clients and relate with them accordingly.

Importantly, whatever you’re saying to your clients should be crystal clear without making them feel dumb.

11. Lack Sensitivity towards clients’ beliefs and values

You need to be sensitive to your client’s beliefs and values. Asides from making them feel safe, it also makes the healing process quicker.

This is because acts of kindness, forgiveness and meditation are incorporated in many traditions, beliefs and values of people.

More so, if a client senses that you have no respect for his beliefs and values, it can damage trust and hinder the process of therapy.

12. Forget important details

One of the ways to identify a good therapist is if they have a good memory. Besides, mixing up your clients details lays a setback in the therapeutic process. It is also a red flag for many clients.

Although it might take about 3-4 sessions before you master a client’s case, it is best to avoid forgetting basic details about them.

One of the ways you can achieve this is by taking notes during sessions and reviewing them before the next one. It would help you give them the best help and show you genuinely care for them.

Equally, your clients would feel a sense of connection with you if you don’t forget their basic details.

13. Make Indefinite Promises

As a therapist, you shouldn’t make promises predicting your client’s progress. If you make promises to temporarily assure your clients, they begin to have unrealistic expectations. Along the line, when these promises aren’t met, it may cause further discouragement or pain.

Also, it isn’t possible to immediately determine what type of therapy would work for clients, especially if they’re new to therapy.

However, you must be patient and honest. Assure your clients they’re not alone in the journey.

Therefore, do not jump to conclusions, nor should you make mindless promises to your clients.

14. Give Mindless Advice

It is not your duty as a therapist to advise clients on the decision to make. Instead, you are to guide them on making the best decisions.

No matter how long it takes or how hard it is, clients are responsible for making

decisions for themselves.

Most importantly, therapy isn’t about advice, it is rather an exploratory process. The aim is to foster confidence in making personal decisions. Therapy also builds awareness of your client’s thoughts and emotions.

Allow them to explore the risks, benefits and goals attached to a decision and choose what’s best.

15. Encourage Wrong Decisions

As much as clients have the liberty to make decisions of their own, don’t encourage them when you sense they’re making a harmful decision.

However, always acknowledge and praise them when they achieve success.

16. Use Inconsistent Therapeutic Methods

Trying out different therapeutic methods on a client is a no-no, especially without their consent. Do not go about jumping from one therapeutic method to another. This confuses your clients and affects the process of therapy.

Of the various types of therapy, select the best option that suits your client’s challenge. Ensure you discuss and stick to it.

However, finding the right therapeutic process to use is not always easy. Hence, it is possible to realize later that a process isn’t the best.

While considering other options, ensure to discuss with your clients. This would show them that you respect their opinions and needs.

17. Become overwhelmed with clients’ troubles.

In the process of empathising with clients, you may become overwhelmed with their troubles. This is because you understand and feel the challenges they’re going through.

Nevertheless, you should always set a boundary between your work and personal life. If you don’t, you may begin to lose focus, concentration and even personal life.

18. Rush a Diagnosis

Giving your clients a rushed diagnosis can make them feel worse. Hence, a therapist must be careful and consider necessary details before coming to conclusions.

Establishing a diagnosis takes time and concrete knowledge; that’s why you should be patient and consider every important thing before diagnosing your client. Always remember that their mental health development is dependent on your diagnosis.

19. End sessions without action steps

If all you do with your client is talk about their challenges and experiences, there won’t be any valuable development.

During sessions, give your clients tools they may need or action steps to carry out to make them get better. Over time, they would be able to make good decisions and handle situations on their own.

20. Leave Clients unsure of their progress

No client wants to be left hanging. They would want to know how far they’ve gone. As the therapist, you should know the areas your clients have improved and you have to let them know.

21. Continue Therapy when not needed

If the goal of therapy has been achieved with your client, you also must let him know.

Moreover, your client should have a clear understanding of what the end goal is.

Nonetheless, deciding whether to continue therapy or not might be inconclusive. But ensure to guide your clients towards attainable goals that work best for them.

Conclusion on what a therapist should not do

Generally, any good therapist would want the best for his clients. He would also want to have a smooth ride during therapeutic sessions.

Therefore, if as a therapist you desire such, all you need do is create a foundation of trust with your client.

Ensure you empathize with them so they can easily relate to you. However, always be professional with your work and follow the right therapeutic methods.

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Are among those about how to how to become a doctor in the USA? Worry no more this write up is especially made for.

Is no longer news that medicine requires a lot of determination and hard work, thus the reward at last makes up with all you put in.

A young person who dreams of becoming a doctor should investigate the profession as much as possible before joining the chorus that’s why we are devoted to bring you the right information to guide you right.

The United States of America is among the countries of the world with the highest scrutiny for their healthcare practitioners which is a very important approach in upholding the standard of a quality healthcare system.

Data obtained from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicate that there are slightly more than 900,000 physicians practicing medicine in the US.

However, a 2013 report from the American Association of Medical Colleges projects there will be a national shortage of physicians by 2025.

How to become a doctor in the USA

Below is a comprehensive step on how to become a doctor in the USA that everyone ought to know;

1. Go for your Undergraduate Education
2. Pass the MCAT Examination
3. Seek admission into a Medical School
4. Complete Training at Medical School
5. Pass Parts I & II of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
6. Match with Residency
7. Pass Part III of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and Finish Residency
8. Seek and acquire certification from board
9. Go for your State License

• Go for your Undergraduate Education

There are various undergraduate studies open for everyone who seeks to take a path to a medical career. However, there is no specific undergraduate degree recommended for all medical school hopefuls, The College Board lists pre-medicine, biology, and exercise science among potential majors.

Like other career choices, you are recommended to make your research judiciously before choosing this path.

• Pass the MCAT Examination

This is one of the essential steps on how to become a doctor in the USA. Individuals who discover their desire to become doctors after they receive their college degree may opt to enroll in a premedical program so that they can complete all of the required premed classes.

The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice examination used by medical school admission committees to assess a candidate’s likelihood of succeeding in their premed program.

• Seek admission into a Medical School

After completing your MCAT, students become eligible to apply for medical school admission which is mostly done through the AMCAS.

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), is a centralized application processing service from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Students select their target medical schools and submit a single application to AMCAS, which distributes the application to each institution.

Prospective med students should take extreme care when crafting their personal statements alongside other essential documents for admission.

• Complete Training at Medical School

At this point, candidates with impressive documentation will be invited to medical school interviews for validation from recommended persons from the institution.

Furthermore, candidates have a choice between two types of medical degrees: The Medical Doctor, or M.D., degree and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., degree.

Admission into the medical school is the prominent stage in becoming a physician in the United States o America. This stage of study takes about 4 years of full-time study beyond one’s undergraduate studies.

• Pass the 2 parts of the Allopathic or Osteopathic National Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)

In order to be a qualified physician and legally practice medicine in the US, students must take and receive a passing score on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a three-part examination taken during and after medical school.

Allopathic and osteopathic medical students at U.S. medical schools typically take two of the three parts of their national licensing examinations during medical school.

The must pass the first part of the examination, which covers basic medical principles, before entering their third year of studies. During their fourth year, students must pass the second part of the exam, which covers clinical diagnosis and disease development.

• Match with Residency

Most medical students participate in the National Resident Matching Program, though some get involved with specialty-specific matching programs. They submit an application for residency and are matched to open residency programs throughout the country.

This usually take place in the final year of medical school, when students start narrowing down their medical specialty options.

The residency program after medical school last for about 3 years and might be longer depending on specialty.

• Pass Part III of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and Finish Residency

Residency programs are essential for medical school graduates to learn the art and science of a particular area of medicine.

The final step of the residency process is to complete Part III of USMLE. This examination covers clinical management and assesses the doctor’s ability to practice medicine safely and effectively.

Toward the beginning of their residency, medical residents take the last part of either the USMLE or the COMLEX-USA, which makes them eligible for a general medical license that allows someone to practice medicine without being supervised by another doctor.

Residents who want to develop extraordinary expertise within a particular niche of medicine, such as cardiology or hand surgery, may opt to pursue a medical fellowship within that field.

• Seek and acquire certification from board

After completing the medical education, doctors may obtain certification in their chosen field. There are 24 specialty boards that certify physicians in hundreds of specialties and subspecialties.

• Go for your State License

Getting your medical license is every doctor’s desire. Medical licensure is governed at the state-level by state boards of medicine, and each sets its own licensing requirements and procedures.

Trained and board-certified doctors must apply for state medical licenses before they enter the field. Obtaining your is not the end since learning never ends. However, at this level, a doctor can work independently and is qualified to practice efficiently.

There are limitless opportunities in the medical field for doctors and other health practitioners in the US. However, you have to go and seek and explore these opportunities.

Most times, getting these jobs don’t with ease but one has to be determined in the pursuit of this selfless career.

With the above steps on how to become a doctor in the USA, I am confident that you get the value you seek and success in the pursuit of your career.

Top specialties in the Medicine

• Allergy and immunology
• Anesthesiology
• Dermatology
• Diagnostic radiology
• Emergency medicine
• Family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Medical genetics
• Neurology
• Nuclear medicine
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Ophthalmology
• Pathology
• Pediatrics
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Preventive medicine
• Psychiatry
• Radiation oncology
• Surgery
• Urology

Top job titles for doctors in the United States of America

1. Anesthesiologist
2. Dentist
3. Occupational therapist
4. Pediatrician
5. Physician assistant
6. Podiatrist
7. Radiation oncologist
8. Speech-language pathologist

What are the qualities of a good doctor?

• Commitment

There is no one special quality that makes a good doctor. One is made renowned by collections of outstanding character and qualities which might not be listed here.

After one might have gone through the medical school successfully, commitment remains one of the cardinal virtues to guide one through the odds that might come up in the course of the career.

• Competence

Competence is the set of demonstrable characteristics and skills that enable and improve the efficiency in one’s profession.

• Courage

Amidst the challenges faced by medical doctors and other health practitioners, courage is highly demanded.

• Empathy

You stand a better ground to bring a solution to a problem when you understand the problem and the person you are offering the solution to.

Empathy is the capacity to understand what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position.

• Honesty

This quality is meant to be paramount in all walks of life. Being honest comes with many challenging circumstances, however, one ought to stand firm and strong in the truth.

• Humanity

Humanity symbolizes human love and compassion towards each other.

• Passion

This should be the driving force of a medical doctor since the nature of their job is more of a selfless profession. Often time one has to stay up late and work for limitless work hour.

• Respect and Understanding

Respect paves way for many opportunities. Doctor are expected to respect, understand and be trustworthy in a manner that patients can confide in them and open up to their medical concerns.

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Is Medical Sales A Good Career?  Here is all Truth About the Position Of Medical Sales everyone ought to know.

The position of medical representative has long been in high demand among applicants with medical or pharmaceutical education.

However, applicants have a partly wrong idea about the work of medical sales: there is both an excessive idealization of the profession and, on the contrary, an unjustifiably negative perception of it.

We would like to dispel the most common myths about this profession and explain how things really are as well as to tell you more about all the advantages and disadvantages of this job.

Why is it so interesting, what are its main advantages, how it suits you and whether it will be comfortable for you to work – you will learn all this in this article.

Who are Medical Sales?

A medical sale is a link between a pharmaceutical manufacturer and a distributor. Its main task is to promote medicines, familiarize them with their benefits, and provide advice on their use.

With the knowledge of a doctor and the skills of a sales manager, a representative of this profession becomes indispensable in the pharmaceutical market.

Medical sales specialize in promoting the manufacturer’s drugs and advising on their medicinal properties.

Its target audiences are medical doctors and pharmacy staff. Since direct advertising of some medicines is legally restricted, MPs promote their sales through health professionals and pharmacies.

The professional area includes different areas (for instance, a medical representative for working with pharmacies, with medical institutions, a hospital medical representative, a key account manager).

Working Duties of Medical Sales

The functions of medical sales depend on the specifics of the product being sold, and on the audience with which he cooperates. The major duties of a medical representative include:

• Working with doctors (conducting visits to doctors in order to consult about drugs’ hallmarks);
• Working with pharmacies (maintaining inventory and monitoring the availability of the company’s products in pharmacies);
• Holding mini-conferences and conferences to increase sales;
• Timely reporting;
• Independent work planning;
• Fulfilling the sales plan of the organization;
• Holding presentations for probable clients;
• Monitoring and analysis of the market of competitors;

Top 5 Pros of Being a Pharmaceutical Representative

Above we have already discussed who is medical sales and the major functions of this job. Let’s dive into the top 5 advantages of working as a medical representative:

• Work contributes to personal growth.

The activity of a medical sales allows you to work on yourself, increases knowledge in the field of sales, medical problems, diseases, diagnosis and treatment, forms the skills of persuasion, making a deal, working with conflict clients. A kind of worker brings the skill of persuasion to automatism, becomes a kind of psychologist, and knows what to say, when and why. The profession also tempers, the specialist becomes more self-possessed and tolerant.

• Every day is different.

Working with a large number of clients with a traveling nature of work, every day of a pharmaceutical worker is unique and unique in its own way. This is a good job for people who like to be in the spotlight, love communication, and easily find an approach to a new person.

• Constantly on the move.

It will be interesting for those who do not like to sit in one place in front of the computer, in a boring office or office. Activity is very mobile – today you are at one end of the city, tomorrow you are in the region, maybe in another state. Always entertaining!

• Professional growth.

Companies are always interested in raising the level of knowledge of their employees, so they conduct at least one or two times a year training in drug sales to develop key skills and much more. Yes, you can learn and improve your level completely for free!

• Opportunity to influence your income.

Almost all companies have a motivational system – quarterly bonuses for the implementation and over fulfillment of the sales plan. In addition to the salary for the quarter, you can get from 30 to 150% (sometimes even more) of the salary.

Are you still in need to know if a career in medical sales is worthwhile? kindly note this; On a general note, medical sales is a good career likewise other careers in the health industry, because people have made fortune in this path.

However, one’s level of satisfaction is one of the factors that fulfill the impact of ones’ career choice.

6 Myths About Medical Sales

So, it’s high time to dive deeper into all perks of this profession, therefore, let’s speak about major myths related to this job. At the end, you would have the perfect answer to Is medical sales a good career.

• Myth 1: “A medical sales has a very high salary”

Of course, large pharmaceutical companies for the most part provide employees with competitive wages and a good social package.

However, there are also companies on the market that are ready to offer medical representatives remuneration that is much more modest and less attractive working conditions.

So, in some of them, the medical representative is not provided with a corporate car: the employee has either to use a personal car for work or use public transport.

Unfortunately, there are also employers who use gray pay schemes, companies that do not provide bonuses and where medical representatives sometimes have to invest their own money in marketing activities.

Thus, before accepting a job offer, it is necessary to carefully study the employment contract and discuss such details with future employers.

• Myth 2: “Doctors prescribe drugs for money or gifts”

Often when asked how a candidate could influence the increase in sales of the company’s drugs, we hear about the material motivation of doctors.

In some cases, this may become one of the tools of medical sales. However, many companies strictly monitor the observance of ethical business practices, the policy of such companies forbids medical representatives not only to stimulate the increase in sales through gifts to doctors but also to pay opinion leaders to travel to international conferences or give lectures.

The work on drug promotion is based, first of all, on the professional interest of the doctor in the treatment of his patients, and the task of the medical representative is to clearly and convincingly inform the specialist that the company’s drugs are really successfully coping with this task.

• Myth 3: “I want to work as a medical representative because I like communicating with people”

This is one of the typical answers of applicants to the question “Why would you like to work as a medical sales?”

The work of a representative is not just to communicate with people. The main goal is to convince the doctor to use the company’s products in his practice and, as a result, increase sales.

Mere communication – in the broadest sense of the word – will not achieve this goal. Communication with the doctor should be held at a high professional level, using various sales techniques. A high degree of involvement in the process is required from the medical representative.

In a word, if a candidate in the work of a medical sales is attracted solely by the opportunity to “communicate with people”, this may indicate that he is poorly aware of the specifics of this profession.

• Myth 4: “You can become a medical representative only if you have a higher medical or pharmaceutical education”

In fact, higher specialized education is no longer a mandatory requirement for applicants in many pharmaceutical companies, including those included in the “big pharma”.

Trends in the labor market are such that, first of all, employers pay attention to the availability of relevant competencies and experience in sales. Thus, today it is quite possible to build a career in a pharmaceutical company without a specialized education.

• Myth 5: “A medical sales has a free work schedule”

The work schedule of most medical sales is standard: an 8-hour working day and a five-day working week with two days off.

It is also worth considering that this profession is characterized by numerous overtime – a medical representative can conduct marketing activities on weekends, fill out reports after work, meet opinion leaders and escort them to the airport at any time of the day or night.

The huge number of business trips should also be taken into account. In addition, each medical sales has a schedule of visits (the number of visits can vary from 8 for a key account manager to 13-15 for a simple medical representative).

Many companies track the location of their employees, so there are very few chances to “skip” work, and there is no need to talk about a free work schedule.

• Myth 6: “They will teach me everything”

Many applicants applying for the position of a medical sales really believe that they should not have any special knowledge and skills, believing that they will be taught everything as part of corporate training.

This is not true. Companies do provide training for employees, but you should not take them as a training program from scratch – in fact, they are aimed at honing existing skills and gaining additional (not basic!) knowledge.

Conclusion on is medical sales a good career

We can talk a lot about the pros and cons of the position of medical sales. This article describes only the main ones that you need to consider when choosing a profession.

Your motivation when choosing a position is very important, what do you want to get from this work, what advantages do you see for yourself, and how much they are higher or lower than the existing disadvantages?

Are there development prospects? After reading this article, you saw the advantages of this profession, as well as its significant disadvantages. It is up to you!

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The quest to know How to become a naturopathic doctor prompted this article which explains the essentials you need in this career path

While modern medicine adopts contemporary medical practices, it also embraces traditional remedies.

Therapies such as yoga, massage, herbs, acupuncture, exercise and the likes have been synthesized with modern medicine and new-age medical professionals are accommodating these archaic medical traditions.

Naturopathy is no modern practice of medicine, but as new ideas are explored and new diseases discovered, the need to arrive at a finite diagnosis and a permanent, effective cure, is pertinent.

Naturopathic doctors practice medicine, however, the methods of practice might be slightly different from that of a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of Osteopathy (DO). This, on one hand, does not disprove fact that Naturopathic doctors (ND) are doctors.

The heart of this article is on the steps to becoming a naturopathic doctor. However, some areas crucial to the discourse will be explored, succinctly.

While making a copious explanation for the required step to becoming an ND, it is also necessary to explain what naturopathy is, who a naturopathic doctor is, and what they do.

Hence, this article seeks to answer the following;

• What is Naturopathy?
• Who is a naturopathic doctor?
• The role of a naturopathic doctor.
• How to become a naturopathic doctor.
• Accredited courses in a naturopathic medical school.
• The difference between an ND and an MD.[lwptoc]

What is Naturopathy?

There are many fields in medicine that are not exactly as popular as the others, but they do exist and play significant and peculiar roles in promoting and achieving healthy living.

The practice of naturopathic medicine is not a common name in most countries. However, naturopathy does not offer ‘make-do’ treatments, it proffers an absolute cure.

Naturopathy is a system of treatment of diseases that ducks the use of drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural remedies.

The core of naturopathy is attaining total healing through the use of natural or traditional remedies, which would enable the body heal itself. Naturopathy was introduced to the United States in the early 19th century by Germany.

Most methods applied by a naturopathic doctor stemmed from age-long practices, which were later fused with modern science.

The new methods applied employs therapeutic exercises such as yoga, massage, meditation, the use of herb, acupuncture, homeopathy, psychotherapy and the other types of alternative medicine.

Naturopathic medicine is also synonymous to preventive, holistic, alternative and functional medicine. So, naturopathy is resolving to natural agents for whole body healing.

Who is a naturopathic doctor?

Like other Medical doctors (MDs), a naturopathic doctor (ND) is a doctor, professionally trained to identify the cause(s) of illnesses in a bid to discover a final remedy, using herbs, exercise, meditation, massage, hydrotherapy, and nutrition to bring about wellness and balance.

NDs employ alternative medical therapies alongside natural remedies to ensure that a patient enjoys optimum health results.

NDs also attend medical school like MDs and DOs, but they perform different roles.

The role of a Naturopathic doctor

Medical doctors spend a shorter time with patients in the consulting room, however, naturopathic doctors spend an average of 30-60minutes with a patient.

The roles of a naturopathic doctor are therefore unique, because they;

• Identify and treat the underlying cause of an illness: a naturopathic doctor would usually engage their patients in conversations regarding their health, lifestyle and environment. These are not routine questions alone as they intend to identify the illness in order to treat it completely. Before they resort to conventional medical practice, they attempt natural remedies and alternative medicine to get rid of the illness.
• Approach a medical condition using a sparingly invasive but the most effective method: NDs are deliberate about natural methods as panacea to medical conditions. Hence, naturopathic doctors prescribe natural treatment and alternative ones in order to cure the disease or medical condition suffered by the patient. The least detrimental but most effective methods are employed by NDs to approach medical conditions.
• Treat the whole person: MDs would normally prescribe temporary treatment for a disease, but an ND undergoes a holistic treatment to extirpate the disease.

A career in naturopathic medicine is very lucrative. However, medicine is not a “walk-into” career. If you are interested in using natural means and procedures to treat ailments or diseases, then you are treading the naturopathic medicine path.

It might also interest you that becoming a naturopathic doctor is possible, only after paying heed and meeting the crucial requirements. Take note as this is the crux of this discourse.

How to become a Naturopathic doctor

While you envision a career in naturopathy, it is imperative to note that medical school births the first half of the most challenging years in your life as a medical practitioner.

Leaving that aside, to begin a naturopathic career, you would need to meet the following requirements;

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in any medical-related field.
• Enroll in a naturopathic medical school.
• Sit for and pass the NPLEX.
• Enroll for a postgraduate residency programme.
• Obtain licensure.

Earn a bachelor’s degree: to begin a career as a naturopathic doctor, you must have earned an undergraduate degree in any medical-related field.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any medical-related field is the minimum entry requirement into naturopathic medical school.

Needless to say, the foundation of this step begins in high school, where the basics of core subjects like chemistry, biology and physics are taught.

Enroll in a naturopathic medical school: obtaining a baccalaureate degree in any medical major qualifies you for entry into a naturopathic medical school.

A naturopathic medical school is usually for four years and must be accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

Sit for and pass the NPLEX: Naturopathic doctors are required to sit and pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX).

Upon completion of the 4-year naturopathic degree programme, an ND must pass a postdoctoral board exam. Excelling at this step, makes NDs eligible for obtaining license.

Enroll for a postgraduate residency programme: residency could take 1-2years. NDs are privileged to work with adept professionals in naturopathic medicine.

At this point, fresh graduates of naturopathic medicine, work with patients under close supervision of expert naturopathic medical doctors (NMDs).

Obtain licensure: there is no universal procedure or requirement for obtaining a license in naturopathic medicine, as procedures differ according to states. However, passing the NPLEX and residency is sacrosanct.

I would like to reiterate that NDs are doctors, they obtain a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine, after attending naturopathic medical school.

Like medical doctors, naturopathic doctors get around 1500 hours training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, clinical physical diagnosis, genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, and other clinical science topics.

NDs also go hundreds of hours training in core methods of naturopathy, like botanical/herbal medicine, traditional Asian medicine, acupuncture, counseling, homeopathy, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, and clinical nutrition.

The curricula of a naturopathic medical school varies but there are courses common to all.

Accredited courses in a naturopathic medical school

All courses taught in a naturopathic medical school, must be accredited by the CNME. In the course of studying, a naturopathic medical student is expected to cover courses, such as ;

• Health psychology
• Clinical laboratory diagnosis
• Spinal evaluation and management
• Botanical medicine

Health psychology: the student will be expected to learn about the role mental health plays, in total wellness and how to manage these disorders in a primary care setting.

Clinical laboratory diagnosis: students must grow familiar with common laboratory tests that can support diagnosis and treatment.

Spinal evaluation and management: students are expected to engage in the continuous practice of examining the spine and its related anatomy as well as diagnosing and treating simple abnormalities.

Botanical medicine: study how medicinal plants can be selected, prepared, and administered to promote wellness and treat health issues.

The general courses, however, cover anatomy and physiology, patient care, clinical sciences and naturopathic treatment modalities.

Very importantly, naturopathic students also complete clinical rotations at teaching, community, and specialty clinics. They begin with this step, then progress to treating patients but under supervision.

The average physician performs an entirely different role or would not be as patient as an ND in terms of consulting. The similarity between the duo, is that they are doctors, can attend to patients, issue prescriptions and are interested in the wellbeing of their patients. However, there are major differences between the two.

The difference between an ND and an MD

MD is the acronym for a Medical doctor while ND stands for a Naturopathic doctor. The goal of the contrast is not intended to glorify or abase one over the other. It is just to draw a fine line of demarcation.

The duties of a naturopathic doctor differs from that of a medical doctor for these reasons;

• The focus of an ND is to ensure that a patient is totally cured, an MD attempts to combat the disease.
• NDs spend between 30 and 60minutes with visiting patients, MDs could spend a minimum of 15minutes.
• NDs resort to diet, herb, exercise and other alternative treatments, MDs prescribe pharmaceutical products.
• NDs perform a holistic treatment, however, MDs treat one condition at a time.
• Follow up/Check up for patients of a naturopathic doctor are consistent and frequent, this does not apply with MDs.
• MD students see hospital-based patients during their rotations, ND students see patients in primarily out-patient clinical settings at naturopathic clinics.

Naturopathic doctors and Medical doctors are valuable assets in the field of medicine. In fact, the presence of both is ideal for a patient.

Naturopathic medicine is beneficial, however, not all universities are accredited for the Naturopathic school of medicine. Nonetheless, I will be making a list of accredited naturopathic medical schools, below:

1. National University of Natural medicine (NUNM), Portland, Oregon.
2. Canadian College of Naturopathic medicine (CCNM), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
3. National University of Health Sciences (NUH), Lombard.
4. Bastyr University (BU), Seattle, Washington and San Diego, California.
5. Boucher Institute of Naturopathic medicine (BINM), British Colombia
6. Southwest College of Naturopathic medicine & Health sciences (SCNM), Tempe, Arizona.

Final Thoughts on how to become a naturopathic doctor

You have learned what naturopathy is and what it takes to become a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND). It is a rigorous process and an earnest career, however, it is profitable.

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For you to have asked what are the qualities of a good nurse mean you are devoted to serving humanity as a nurse.

In this article, the qualities & characteristics of a Good Nurse are unveiled to equip nurses on the right path to take in their careers.

Nurses play a pivotal role in the healthcare field. They are on the frontlines of care, administering treatment to disabled, sick, and injured patients.

Safe to say, nurses are the backbone of every medical team. For this very reason, anyone looking to step into this profession must be highly skilled at what they do.

If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse or just looking for ways to get a leg up in your nursing career, there’s a lot you can do to become “the best.” Commitment is an essential aspect of becoming an aspiring and excellent nurse.

Nurses are also required to be helpful, compassionate, and capable of making difficult decisions regarding patient care. However, education plays a critical role in ensuring this.

What are the qualities of a good nurse?

So with that in mind, what does it take to become an exceptional nurse? Listed below are a few essential characteristics and qualities that define the role of a nurse:

1. Teamwork-oriented

Working well as part of a team is a valuable and essential nursing characteristic. But suppose you’re stretching out for a nursing role that inclines towards management and leadership.

In that case, you must translate this characteristic into team building. This necessitates a strong emphasis on hiring new nurses and training them to be good at their jobs.

It will help encourage collaboration among your nursing staff by including them in discussions and decision-making that affect their workflow.

This will help you build trust and contentment with changes. Furthermore, adopting a teamwork-oriented style is one of the qualities of a great nurse manager, which leads to better patient care and lower staff turnover.

2. Knowledgeable 

To successfully care for their patients, nurses must have a wide range of knowledge. They must, for example, have a thorough understanding of human anatomy, pathophysiology, and microbiology.

Furthermore, they must be able to apply healthcare theories in real-life situations. To become a registered nurse, they must first obtain a degree from a program that teaches them this awareness and allows them to practice. As a result, successful nurses are well-rounded and informed in their field.

3. Optimistic  

Successful nurses approach their work with a positive attitude, and they can look on the bright side of things and inspire their patients on the mend.

While this profession can be emotionally draining, exceptional nurses know how to stay positive and focused on serving others. Furthermore, nurses with a better mindset can serve as role models in their practice, inspiring others to be optimistic.

4. Be empathetic

Being in the hospital is a distressing and emotional experience for most patients. That said, the ability to empathize is one of the most inspiring nursing qualities. Never consider or treat your patients as a liability.

To understand how patients feel, we must put ourselves in their shoes and provide them with the emotional support they require. We’ve asked many nurses about the moments that made them grateful to be nurses.

Many of them involved developing a genuine, compassionate connection with their patients. In many of these stories, patients would return year after year to express their gratitude to their nurses. An empathic nurse can be nothing short of life-changing for patients.

5. Dedication to continuous education

Great nurses are dedicated to lifelong learning, staying current on clinical and research advancements, and honing their skills.

This includes maintaining their licensure, implementing evidence-based practices, completing required continuing education, and obtaining certifications in fields.

Nurses frequently pursue advanced training, such as becoming nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and others. This is critical because research has shown that higher nurse education levels improve patient outcomes.

6. Flexibility 

There is no such thing as an ordinary day for nurses. The thrill of constantly learning new skills and trying new things draws people to nursing as a profession.

Still, it also makes adaptability one of the most important qualities any good nurse must possess. Nurses wear many hats daily, but when challenges arise, they must adapt. Flexibility is another trait that helps nurses adapt to changes in healthcare in general.

7. Mental and physical endurance

Being a nurse entails working long days with few or no breaks. A nurse must have exceptional physical and mental stamina to get through the day.

Exercise and brain training games will help train your body and make it easier to get through the day. Invest in some comfortable shoes. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference good shoes make when you’re standing all day.

Many retailers will assist you in finding shoes that fit your feet correctly and support the critical areas of your body and foot, so take the time to do so. Most importantly, take breaks whenever possible.

Exhaustion has a profound effect on the body and mind, so if you have the opportunity to take a quick nap to alleviate your sleepiness, do so.

8. Analytical thinking

Nursing is far from a cookie-cutter profession. Even when treating two people with the same ailment, the treatment plan, how you interact with and care for them, and the outcomes vary greatly.

As a result, you’ll have to consider a wide variety of factors and use that information to make informed decisions, sometimes with little time to do so.

9. Paying attention to detail

It is critical to pay attention to detail when providing medical care. Even in the busiest environment, a good nurse must be detail-oriented, following instructions precisely.

The medicine dosages must be correct, and precise records are noted. A good nurse will be the first to notice subtle changes in a patient’s medical condition and notify the physician.

Conclusion

As you can judge from everything listed above, being a nurse is not an easy job. If you don’t have the skills and proper education, you cannot become successful at this job.

Your job requires you to care for others without any hesitation and judgment, be there for everyone, and never miss out on an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. I am confident you now have the perfect answers to this question, What are the qualities of a good nurse?

So what are you waiting for? Practice these qualities and prepare for a journey that is filled with gratitude and redemption.

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Are you interested in knowing how to become a pharmacist in Nigeria? Don’t worry, you are fortunate to have come across this article.

The job of a pharmacist makes the treatment of medics a reality. Pharmacists give medications to ensure that they get the best of treatments through the drugs administered by them; they formulate the drugs and give the right dosage and even guide patients on the right way to use the drugs.

Overview of how to become a pharmacist in Nigeria

That’s why Pharmacists are sacrosanct in the field of health and medicine, especially in a place like Nigeria where the health sector is still developing and yet to reach the standard peak of practice.

It means one has to be an excellent pharmacist in order to make the resources available to go around the population of over two hundred million.

Pharmacists in Nigeria are highly revered as they offer their services to patients with more ease than expected; sometimes, they even play the role of a doctor by helping to and just go ahead to administer treatment to patients who have inadequate funds to meet a doctor; this is depending on the nature of the sickness though.

Choosing to become a pharmacist is a great deal because you intend to join the team of heroes on the health line saving lives every day and helping to recover people from ill-health.

Now, working towards achieving it in Nigeria is another procedure that needs your zeal, passion, and determination to make your dream come true.

Like any other profession, trade, or handwork, one needs to learn so that one can formulae drugs correctly, administer drugs correctly, and even prevent the harmful usage of the drug.

  Taking the Steps to Become A Pharmacist

Hard work and observation are two key ingredients that a becoming pharmacist should possess, this is so because you need to study hard and observes to acquire the needed knowledge.

While learning, ensure to learn smartly for lifelong purposes. Below are guidelines for Education before you become a pharmacist:

• Attend a Secondary School:

In Nigeria, you start tilting towards your career by offering specific subjects from high or secondary school that relates to your course of study in the university; this is to give the background general knowledge of what is to come in your course of study.

For becoming a pharmacist, while in senior secondary school, it is advised to be in science class, where you can offer subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and other science-related subjects.

To proceed into the University in Nigeria, you need to write a Joint Administrative Matriculation Board Examination [JAMB] where you will sit for four subjects; they are chemistry, physics, biology, and English which is a core subject.

• Get a Degree:

Going into the University takes you a step further into becoming a pharmacist. In Nigeria, the course of study is for five years, whether you choose to attend a public or private University; ensure to attend an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria; they regulate the institutions to ensure that standards are meted out to the public. You can choose to study to acquire a bachelor’s or Doctor of Pharmacy.

It takes five years to earn a bachelor’s degree for administration students who got admitted through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [UTME], while for Direct Entry Students, it takes Four Years.

While to earn a doctor’s degree in Pharmacy, it takes six years for UTME students and five years for Direct Entry students; where clinical practice is paramount for students to become skilled in handling patients and their prescriptions.

• Induction and Internship are the Next:

After earning your degree, the next process is to get your induction, where you get to become a part of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

To further your becoming a professional pharmacist is to go for an internship where hands-on experience is acquired and you get to learn from other professionals.

While interning, all the fields of pharmacy have to be visited, hence, if, in an organization where the fields are not complete, you have to revolve around the various fields.

The fields include hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries, academia, pharmacy store regulatory bodies, and others.

In Nigeria, it takes a year to intern to get all the prerequisite knowledge that is needed to add up capacity to become a professional pharmacist.

• Write Pre-Registration Examination for Pharmacists:

Immediately after the internship, the next step is to get the pre-registration exam done. This is done according to the statute of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

The examination is carried out twice a year n Nigeria; one in the month of March, and another in October. The examination is to test the students if they have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and standard attitude in the various fields of pharmacy where they have interned and to ensure their practice does not jeopardize the health of the public they are about serving.

Furthermore, the pass mark of the examination is fifty percent; if the cut off mark isn’t met by a student, there is the opportunity to re-write four times, if after the fourth time, and the student still didn’t pass, the student is required to attend a refresher program as laid down by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and then can only take a sitting of examination to pass this stage.

The examination is not meant to ridicule the students or make the process difficult; it is to ensure that the product of pharmacists given to society is excellent and will not harm the public; rather they will dispense their duties for the good of the public.

Students are tested in various aspects; they include pharmaceutical care, supply of medicines, organization and management, public health information, drug production, quality assurance, and others. Knowledge in these fields makes for what qualifies one as a professional pharmacist in Nigeria.

• Proceed to Serve the Nation:

There is a scheme in Nigeria that entails all Nigerian youths who have acquired a degree to go through, it is to serve the nation.

This was introduced by the then military governor, General Yakubu Gowon in 1973 as a means to rebuild and reconcile the nation after it experienced its civil war.

After pharmacists must have gone through the above processes, they register with The National Youth Service Corps to serve the nation; their primary place of duty is determined by the scheme, not the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, although, most times, they consider the field of study of corps members.

The service is usually between the duration of one year. After service, get a job, and if buoyant enough, start a pharmaceutical retail store business.

Places Where Pharmacists Can Work in Nigeria

The services of professional pharmacists are needed in society, while medical doctors and nurses are doing the job of treating patients, pharmacists are in the act and art of seeing to the production of drugs, giving out quality, prescribing the drugs, and ensuring that dosage given to the patients are used correctly.

There are various fields or places where they can function effectively for the good of the public. Find them below;

• Pharmacists can Work in a Retail Store: The retail store so far in continuous occurrence has been the largest employer of pharmacists in Nigeria.

The retail Store to get drugs is a fast-selling business and service and people need to get their drugs, most times outside the hospitals because few hospitals have their pharmacy store within; doctors simply prescribe to patients.

In these pharmacy stores, the job of the pharmacist is to interpret the prescription of the doctor and give the patient the right drug.

Well-trained and professional Pharmacists are highly needed in these stores to prevent quackery and wrong drug administration.

One can say the pharmacy stores outnumber hospitals, so pharmacists are needed in these retail stores.

• Pharmacists can Work in Hospitals: There are some hospitals in Nigeria that situate their pharmacy stores within.

This is common in general hospitals, teaching hospitals, and government hospitals. Here, pharmacists work for hand in glove with the doctors and nurses to give the right dosage to ensure that treatment is effective on the patient.

They are also in charge of the organization and management of the drug store; sometimes, they are in charge of the inventory of the drug store.

• Pharmacists could work in Research Lab: some pharmacists also work in the research laboratory to make findings on the effectiveness of a drug and to see how better ones can be produced.

Although, pharmacists who choose to work here, need to acquire a certification or more knowledge about the medical laboratories.

This is common in pharmaceutical companies who seek to improve the quality of their products and their effect on patients who use them.

A typical example is the upgrade of chloroquine to cure malaria, in checking the effect, it was improved, now, malaria drugs in Nigeria have more efficient ingredients.

So, if you have an interest in research and have studied to become a pharmacist, you can delve into this field to explore drugs, how they can be improved, and do the good of making society better through your research.

• A Pharmacist can Work in Military or Government Health Facilities: Some health facilities are owned or controlled by the government, either state or federal, while some are owned by the military.

In these hospitals, pharmacists are also needed for the administration of drugs to their patients. You could apply in one of the two, as the case may be. They most times have their pharmacy stores within the hospital building and operate under an umbrella.

This means that pharmacists will have to work in tandem with the doctors and nurses in the administration of treatment to their patients.

If you find yourself under the employee’s list of the government, then you should be sure to get a pension after thirty-five years of service or after clocking sixty years of age.

• A Pharmacist can Work in the Academia: To continue to work on building the legacy of Pharmacy and to build more pharmacists, the educational sector has a huge role to play in it, hence, pharmacists are needed to teach becoming pharmacists, if you like to teach and want to become a pharmacist, you still have the opportunity as you can pass the knowledge of pharmacy that you have acquired to other incoming pharmacists.

Pharmacists can work as lecturers in the universities to degree students or in the polytechnics to diploma students of pharmacy.

Either way, you have the opportunity to not just practice, but also to teach aspiring pharmacists to become professionals.

• A Pharmacist can Work Independently: in Nigeria, it is only a professional pharmacist who is registered with the pharmacy council of Nigeria that can establish a pharmacy store whether retail or wholesale outlet.

This is the business side of pharmacy, whereby individuals or partners who are financially capable of establishing a drug store can start selling drugs to the public.

This must be established according to the standards of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for the sake of good public health; drugs must be supplied to the public within the confines of the law.

Here, other pharmacists who are familiar with the terrain of business in pharmacy can help with a consultation to make for a standard pharmacy store.

 Final Words on how to become a pharmacist in Nigeria

Becoming a pharmacist in Nigeria is not as difficult as it seems, it can only be much of a puzzle to those aspiring if they lack interest in the profession and have failed to build one, or they are unable to put in the necessary academic work of studying to know and pass the various test of each level.

Therefore, it is necessary that aspiring pharmacists have an interest in dealing with drugs, and the health of people, if they don’t, they can decide to build interest in it.

Thereafter is to undergo the right processes of offering the right subjects in the secondary school; physics, biology, Chemistry are compulsory science subjects that must be offered.

Apply to institutions that offer pharmacy and are registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. Intern properly and be faithful to your duties so that you can learn properly and become deft with handling drugs and patients.

In addition, rub minds with other professionals in the field and learn, do the necessary examinations and registrations, then get a job and practice!

Best of luck in your endeavors of becoming a pharmacist, it is a long ride, but it is definitely worth it!

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The knowledge on how to become a therapist in Ontario is worthwhile because the job of being a therapist is beyond doing it to earn a living.

It has a sense of purpose because it comes with the fulfillment of healing and recovering persons.

It is an inspiring job and younger folks, especially those with a kind heart or who wish to become a therapist will find ways of becoming a therapist.

Overview of how to become a therapist in Ontario

Ontario is a beautiful place in Canada and has about four million people, with the everyday activities moving here and there and other life experiences that put one on different scales of emotions, psychology, and even spirituality sometimes; therapy is needed to heal and keep the various aspects of the human lives sane always.

If you find yourself in Ontario whether as a citizen or resident, there are ways to go about being a therapist.

There are various aspects of therapy, you can decide to become a marriage and family therapist, relational, clinical, religious, mental health, or psychotherapist.

Whichever one catches your interest for practice is excellent, all of them are soothing and bring healing to the human mind and being.

What it Takes to Be a Therapist in Ontario

To become a professional on any job, one needs to learn and do so properly under the right tutelage to ensure that there is the proper dispensation

done with a full jab of confidence. Being a therapist is not all that easy, neither is it so difficult; you just need to invest your time, energy, and passion into the field of therapy to ensure that the people of Ontario enjoy the best services of therapy.

In Ontario, not anybody calls themselves a therapist and practice, there are procedures to achieve being called a therapist, which is within the confines of the law and the organizing bodies for therapists such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario.

Steps involved on how to become a therapist in Ontario

The below-outlined point is a clear view on steps to take before becoming a therapist in Ontario:

• Have a Passion to Help People

To become successful in the field of therapy of any sort, you need to have passion in and an undying zeal towards helping people become better than what they were as your patients; that means a caring heart will go a long way and nudge you further to do what it takes to become not just a therapy but a professional one in a place like Ontario.

If one doesn’t have a strong passion before applying to study a therapy-related course that will kick start the journey, along the line, as the deep study continues to go on, interests and passion begin to grow, while for some, interests and passion is tilted towards another field of therapy they knew less about.

For instance, one who was interested in relational therapy as time goes on in the process of study could change the course of interest into becoming a mental health therapist, either way, it isn’t bad, so far patients get therapeutic healing. 

• Get Proper Education

As it is known, professionals keep learning and getting to the bottom of knowledge of every concept; to become a professional therapist in Ontario, the first step is to get proper education in institutions approved and regulated by the Ministry of Training and colleges for the northern and southern areas of Ontario Canada.

For instance, if one wants to become a clinical therapist in Ontario, one could apply to the Ontario College of Psychologist or even Ontario Tech University, where you could get your bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, or get your master’s and Doctorate in related courses such as social work in psychology or Occupational Therapy.

And if you want to become a psychotherapist in Ontario, you could as well, check out schools that offer therapy and are approved and regulated under the confines of the law of the College of Psychotherapists.

Being a successful professional therapist in Ontario is quite demanding because the supply of therapy services is a little higher than the demand probably because of people’s low interest in getting therapeutic help from therapy professionals; for this reason, some people think that to become successful in This field in Ontario, one needs to be far above colleagues in the field so that they can get more clients.

Some think one must have a doctorate before getting the opportunity to get a job; this is a misconception.

One doesn’t necessarily need to have a doctorate; all you need is to get your first degree compulsorily and your master’s degree to upscale your skillset and give you a better chance in the business of being a therapist.

Getting a Ph.D. is not compulsory; it is only important to keep you a step forward in the profession with your knowledge and expertise.  Meanwhile, ensure that while you are in school, you study assiduously, to not just pass your examinations, but to also acquire the necessary knowledge for your success in the profession.

• Get Good and Constant Practice

The popular saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day also relates to being a professional therapist of any sort.

For you to get more confident on the job is getting to practice what you have learned, this can happen simultaneously while in school or while on any therapy job; you can also look to meet with an existing therapist in Ontario to share their on the job experience and know about the behavioral scope of the people in Ontario.

Another way is to read documents about past cases of therapy services rendered by professionals to their patients, that way, you can understand the scope of treatment rendered by the professional or you can get to invent or innovate your scope from past experiences from other professionals in the business.

That way, you will be assured you are treating your patient from a point of expertise and not just some theoretical concept you have studied, in fact, it will give you more confidence in yourself, and your patient will easily trust you and be confident in your services to them.

Over time, you get more confidence and become more professional, as you will have both the book and real-time experience from other patients.

In some cases; in other fields of therapy, such as physiotherapy, and massage therapy, even as a student in session, you can be opportune to intern and or work as a junior staff so that you can get first-time experience in handling patients appropriately.

• Get A License and Permission to Operate

Whether you choose to work as a private therapist or in an already existing establishment that needs the services of a therapist; whether in a hospital as a clinical or mental health therapist or in a spa as a massage therapist, the basis is that to work comfortably and on a smooth plain, it is best to work under the confines of the law and regulations made by bodies or organization.

This is so because these laws were made in the interest of the people of Ontario to protect them from wrong practices and ill administration of treatment. These laws are regulated by the various recognized instituted authorities.

For instance, individuals posing as Psychotherapists in Ontario without fulfilling the legal and expected procedures of licensing and permission to operate can be sued by the College of Registered Psychotherapist; not only that, Psychotherapist who chooses to be unethical in practice will be legally brought to book for their actions against the law and the people or individual who was treated outside the constraint of the laws.

Any individual or psychotherapist who falters on the laws is properly investigated for solid evidence against them and to check how detrimental their actions must have been against the people of Ontario.

• Or You Get a License

There are some fields under therapy where you don’t only need to be registered in the organizing bodies, but you must ensure to get a license.

For instance, massage therapists don’t necessarily need to have a college degree, especially if they attend vocational institutions that train massage therapists, they must get their license, after writing a qualifying exam and paying a stipulated license fee.

So if your field of therapy entails you getting a license, find out the requirements and fulfill them; then get a license to operate with the fear of being caught, and to turn the world of your clients or patients around for good.

Still, on being a therapist in Ontario, individuals allowed to practice legitimately and are called Therapists which include those who have registered with some of the legal organizations of therapy, they include, but are not limited to the following:

1. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
2. College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
3. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
4. College of Psychologists of Ontario
5. College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
6. College of Nurses of Ontario

• Exercise Your Knowledge into Use

The next step is to apply what you have learned with a lot of sacrifices into use for the benefit of the people of Ontario  Acquiring a license and permission to operate as a therapist is a big deal, the next big deal is to see your patients recover, smile and be better than how you met them.

You can only do this if you get a job in existing organizations such as hospitals, therapy Clinics, Spas, or you start your own small business or establishment and work as a private therapist.

In essence, do not put your knowledge in a block well; get a job, make your clients happy, earn some money for yourself; do this continuously, and you will automatically be called a therapist; over time, you will become more professional and honored, as not just anybody is called a therapist in Ontario, Canada.

Hence, you can only become a therapist after building the passion, getting trained, getting registered, or getting a license, and then putting your knowledge of therapy to use by actually giving your patients therapeutic treatments to heal.

• Remain Ethical

This is a lifelong step or procedure toward becoming a therapist. Therapeutic healings deal with human beings; their whole or as a part, hence, any action that must be taken as a therapist should always consider the good and dignity of humanity, and the laws which were made for the good of the public.

Operating with this consciousness will allow you to keep being more of a therapist; not just that, but a professional one at that.

Therefore, ensure to be moral and choose to be on the right side and treat your patients from the angle of ethics and the law stipulated by the therapy organization that you belong to.

After becoming a therapist, remain ethical so that you truly achieve why you invested your resources into becoming a professional therapist; which is the recovery of humans into better people.

Surround your ethics with human dignity in mind and continually add value to yourself so that you can be top of your game.

To Wrap it Up, is being a Therapist Worth The Try?

Well, this question can only be answered truthfully by you. One’s meat can be poisonous to another. So do what’s best for you.

If you have chosen the path to become a therapist, ensure that you are the good and professional one who touches the lives of people for good, and in the process earns a living.

To become a professional, you have to keep learning, get the right medication for the field of therapy you have chosen; for instance, a relational therapist must have at least a bachelor’s degree while a massage therapist should at least have a high school degree and compulsory attending the vocational school for massage therapy.

Make in-depth research on your field while studying, have experiences with the job, follow the rules, and remain ethical.

After trying out these procedures and it’s to your vantage, ensure to find fulfillment being a therapist who helps people recover.  Break a leg, while in this amazing profession!

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