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Purpose and Mission
An immunologist, also known as a physician in clinical immunology and allergy, is an expert in everything to do with the immune system. His/her job is to identify symptoms, diagnose immune-related diseases and come up with effective treatment plans.
The field includes a wide range of diseases. While some, like a food allergy, can be diagnosed and assisted easily, others, such as asthma, require long-term management. Others still, for example, immunodeficiency diseases, can be debilitating and even life-threatening. An immunologist must endeavour to make sure that each and every one of his/her patients takes appropriate medication and makes appropriate lifestyle choices, such as avoiding foods that make immune conditions worse. It is also important to conduct examinations and tests on an ongoing basis.
Education Requirements
Education starts with a medical degree and this can be achieved in two ways. Some students opt for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), which takes 5 or 6 years to complete. Others choose to complete an undergraduate degree in a discipline of their choice, before undertaking a 4-year general medical degree. After graduating, the student must train at an accredited hospital for a minimum of one year.
The next step is training in clinical immunology and allergy. In Australia, there are two possibilities. The first is a 3-year program, which results in a fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and allows employment in both community private practices and hospitals.
The second is a 4-year program, which comes with additional training in diagnostic immunopathology. With this qualification, the specialist has fellowships of both the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA), and is able to work in a pathology laboratory, as well as in community private practices and hospitals.
Steps for Becoming an Immunologist in Australia
Refer to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for more information.
Registration
All doctors who wish to practise in Australia must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This applies to both Australian-trained and internationally-trained doctors.
Key Skills
A general medicine specialist in immunology must have outstanding knowledge of the field. Initially, this will be acquired by strict training. However, it is then the immunologist’s job to make sure that he/she stays up-to-date with developments in research and technology. To be a specialist, an individual must be hard-working, intelligent and passionate about learning. Numerous diseases related to the immune system can lead to fatality if not treated appropriately, so an immunologist must be incredibly thorough and conscientious – in both diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
If an immunologist chooses to work in a pathology laboratory, he/she needs high-level research skills and a rigorous approach to testing.
Patients with immune diseases can be quite vulnerable and can become emotional. So it is crucial to be a kind, patient, caring person and a clear, coherent communicator.
