Working as a physician
Choosing to specialise in a particular field of medicine is not an easy decision to make. To make the professional life of a physician rewarding, a variety of factors have to be considered: the complexity and importance of the specialty, the professional prestige one can gain and, just as important, the opportunities for employment and working conditions in that particular specialty.
Nephrology is one field of medicine which favourably ticks all those boxes. This is why we want to present relevant information to intelligent and motivated physicians in order to help them choose this important field to practice.
The work of the Nephrologist encompasses a wide range of clinical treatments. There are not as many chances in other fields of medicine to deal with so many body processes: production of hormones, blood pressure management, anaemia control, maintenance of bone density, and keeping fluid and electrolytes in balance. It is often not a simple work, since a Nephrologist requires strong knowledge in Internal Medicine, but probably this is why many physicians are attracted to it.
Kidney disease can cause many complications and have negative effects along its progression, including life-threatening conditions. A trained Nephrologist can treat both acute and chronic kidney insufficiency, thus preventing or slowing their progression and improving the quality of life of renal patients. This means that the Nephrologist can safely navigate patients towards dialysis or kidney transplant, the only treatment options for end stage kidney disease.
Successful management of kidney disease and kidney failure is impossible without a strong engagement of patients. Good communication skills are essential to liaise effectively with patients and relatives; a willingness to interact, gain their trust and commitment. Such social skills and emotional intelligence are greatly developed during a career in Nephrology.
Nephrology is an area where many scientific discoveries are being made and still need to be made. This is why most physicians can easily participate to scientific activities and are encouraged to publish and present their work, thus making it available for their peers.
Working in a Nephrology department or a dialysis unit usually means a lower exposure of physicians to health hazards (e.g. viral contamination, radiation, chemicals) compared to other medical specialities. Another advantage refers to the work schedules which are usually consistent and well organised, an important thing to know when somebody has or plans on having a family.
One of the career options many physicians, mainly Nephrologists, choose is dialysis work. It is a field of many advantages that can fit very well to a certain period of professional life or as a long-term career choice.
Which are the main reasons why a physician could choose dialysis as a field of practice?
Fresenius Medical Care dialysis units are highly harmonised work environments, based on our architectural guidelines. There are strict procedures for hygiene and infection control, making a dialysis unit a safe and pleasant work environment.
By the usually standardised workflows and predictive schedules of a dialysis unit, a physician can gain advantages on the work-life balance. There are less unexpected events; there is usually no night shift and no work on Sundays and the amount of work is predictable. This fits very well to people who want to enrol to a PhD programme, build a family and be able to spend time with them, or simply enjoy more activities in their lives outside work.
Dialysis physicians are highly sought after by recruiters and can find employment opportunities almost everywhere in the world. The compensation levels are usually very good. Needless to say, as world leader in renal care products and services, Fresenius Medical Care knows that physicians are a valuable resource and strives to maintain their job satisfaction as very high.
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On the following pages you’ll find personal insights about the experience of working for NephroCare.
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