Becoming a specialist in emergency medicine (EM) is an incredibly rewarding profession, as it involves providing life-saving care to those who need it most. For seasoned EM professionals like Dr Michael Hilton, it takes great commitment and dedication to pursue a career in emergency medicine, as specialists must have a wide range of medical skills, knowledge, and experience. With the right training and qualifications, EM specialists can make a real difference in the lives of those who need their care.
Training And Education Requirements
Usually, a medical residency program in emergency medicine lasts four years, followed by certification in the specialty. During residency, medical students will typically spend two years in the emergency department (ED) of a hospital and the remaining two years in a specialty. During this time, students will have the opportunity to complete cases in a variety of specialties, which helps them to become more versatile with their skills and knowledge.
Residency programs provide extensive skills training for emergency medicine specialists. After residency, emergency medicine specialists Dr Michael Hilton must complete a certifying exam to become certified. Certification requirements may vary between specialties, but generally, emergency medicine specialists must hold an active certification in their state.
Clinical Hours And Work Experience
Emergency medicine specialists typically work a rotating 24/7 schedule, spending three to four days on-call per week. Most emergency medicine specialists work at a hospital or ED, which usually means they spend their days providing in-person care and their evenings delivering care over the telephone. After completing the residency program, many EM specialists choose to complete an elective program on a variety of topics, such as trauma care or air medical services.
Certification And Licensure
After completing a residency program, EM specialists may choose to pursue certification, which is voluntary and may only be used to practice in the state in which it is held. Although certification is voluntary, it is generally required for you to practice.
Licensure is the process by which a physician is deemed eligible to work in a particular area. After completing a residency program and passing certification, emergency medicine specialists must then follow up with their board of medicine to apply for a license.