Hematology education and training, which involves the study of diseases/disorders of the blood, is an intensive program, requiring at least ten years to complete. Dedication is critical to one’s hematology education and training. For beginners, one must complete medical school, complete an internal medicine residency program and pass the American Board of Internal Medicine Exams before even starting hematology training. As with other professions, continuing education is also a requirement upon program completion.

Hematologist training involves a hospital residency consisting of hands-on training and hematology course work focusing on topics such as oncology, blood transfusions, leukemias, hemophilia, thrombosis, myeloproliferative disorders and stem cell transplant studies. Individuals may also select hematology courses to become specialized in pediatrics and internal medicine.

When deciding if hematology education and training is for you:

1. Visit a medical school that offers hematology training

2. Research hematology education and training requirements

3. Research eligibility requirements for the hematology certification examination

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research educational requirements for hematology schools

Science is a major component in hematology education and training. For beginners, one must complete courses related to chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology. In addition, hematologists also complete clinical training and research on myeloproliferative disorders, leukemias, thrombosis, lymphomas, epidemiology, stem cell transplant studies and hematopoeisis. Students must take a Hematology Certification Exam upon completion of education and residency requirements.

I recommend: LifeWorks and the American Society of Hematology provide information on hematologist education and training requirements.

Visit schools that have hematology programs to gain insight on education and training requirements

Visit a medical school offering a hematology program to learn about required hematology classes, training, hematology continuing education requirements and any specialized hematology programs they may offer. Another benefit of visiting a hematology school is that you can get a sense of that school to see if it meets your needs and in turn ensure your success in the hematology field.

I recommend: The Association of American Medical Colleges and Univsource provide a listing of medical schools located within the United States. Make sure to drop by the office of admissions to learn of any additional requirements.

Research the certification examination requirements to complete your hematology education

To be eligible to sit for the hematology certification examination, one must successfully complete various hematology education and training programs, such as medical school and a residency program.

I recommend: The American Board of Internal Medicine posts information regarding registration, late registration, registration deadline and exam dates in addition to information pertaining to exam content, question format, scoring and the reporting of exam results. The Federation of State Medical Boards provides a listing of state medical boards that one can also contact for further information regarding the American Board of Internal Medicine examination.

If you are looking for a career in medicine, and are considering a hematologist education, you need to research the field before you begin taking courses. Hematologists are doctors who diagnose blood diseases. Like nearly all medical specialists, hematologists are in high demand and are generally well paid.

Becoming a doctor can be a long and difficult process, and adding hematology training to your class load can make the goal even more difficult. However, if you have an interest in blood and blood diseases, hematology education is certainly worthwhile. Pursuing your career a step at a time can make your goal of becoming a hematologist very attainable.Think of your ultimate goal of becoming a hematologist in three smaller steps:

1. Become a medical doctor.

2. Take a certification test.

3. Continue your training with continuing hematology courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Looking into medical school

Getting into one of the many medical schools in the United States is a difficult task, but it is doable. When looking at schools, make sure your school of choice has hematology oncology programs, special hematology classes or seminars in hematology. This will give you a head start in your ultimate goal of becoming a hematologist.

I recommend: The Association of American Medical Colleges has information on careers in medicine that will help in your search for good medical schools. The American Medical Association also has online tools to help you research a career in medicine, and to find which schools have accreditation. FREIDA Online is a searchable database that will let you look for residency and training programs, check statistics and see what schools have a subspecialty or training program for hematology. The American Medical Student Association also can give you some information on general and hematology programs. Many residency programs offer subspecialties in hematology. If your interest lies in hematology, look carefully at their hematology courses before you commit to a particular school.

Enter subspecialty hematology programs

Getting your M.D. degree is only half the battle. Adding additional training in hematology is a start, but you will need further hematology training to become a hematologist.

I recommend: The American Society of Hematology has a training program for potential hematologists. Look into its many hematology classes and programs. Aspiring hematologists must also become certified in an area of specialty via a hematology course and exam. The American Board of Internal Medicine hematology certification exam is a must if you intend to work with adult patients. Those doctors who prefer working with children will need to take a similar certification test offered by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Don't stop your hematology education and training with your medical certification

Physicians are required to complete varying hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses every year. Those in a speciality area, like hematologists, need even more CMEs. So once you have your medical degree and certification, you will also need continuing hematology training.

I recommend: The American Medical Association has many CME opportunities in general medicine, and some in specialized areas. Physician's News Digest also lists numerous courses held throughout the year. Often a special hematology course is listed among the general CME listings. For more specific hematology training, the American Society of Hematology has many hematology programs and CME opportunities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hematology school isn't for everybody. Becoming a hematologist is demanding and requires a committment of many years of education and a lot of money, most of which you'll end up borrowing through student loans. Find a mentor who can give you some insight into the process.
• •  Check out websites and chat rooms for medical students who are involved in hematology programs. Attend medical school 'open houses' with public speakers for those schools you wish to further investigate.

A career as a hematologist can be a rewarding and lucrative healthcare career, but it's one that requires the best hematology education and training. Each hematology course will prepare you for individual aspects of the job, and getting a hematology education that's well-rounded and diverse will benefit your career.

It's important to find a hematology school that's highly rated and respected. Hematology training should cover specific areas like pediatric and hematology oncology programs. Get advice from doctors and former students to get the best hematologist education possible. When seeking hematology education and training advice and ratings, make sure to:

1. Get advice from experts on the best hematology schools.

2. Attend seminars in hematology to get advice on education.

3. Learn skills in top-rated hematology programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn from the best hematology programs

Hematologists are required to get training in many areas, including anatomy, physiology, and bloodborne pathogen safety. It's important to get a thorough hematologist education by attending the best hematology courses and programs. Get the advice of successful hematologists and doctors on the best methods of getting hematology education and training.

I recommend: The World Oncology Network offers advice on hematology education and resources and training materials to get you started. The American Board of Internal Medicine explains hematology certification requirements, offers educational resources, and gives advice on training.

Become educated in the top rated training programs and seminars in hematology

Hematology courses can teach you the medical aspects of the science of hematology, but having a mentor or getting advice from a healthcare professional can provide you with hands-on experience and give you perspective on the job. Get advice and ratings on the best hematology seminars and classes to attend and where to focus your hematology education.

I recommend: Medical Matrix rates some of the best hematology education and training courses and resources and gives advice for which classes suit what area of hematology best. Get advice and information on required areas of hematologist education from the Healthcare Training Center.

Get advice on top-rated hematology schools

It's important to attend the top-rated hematology schools and cutting-edge programs to learn the newest information in the field of hematology. Advanced hematology programs will give you the latest education and help you advance your healthcare hematology career.

I recommend: The American Society of Hematology offers this timeline with advice on how to plan out your hematology education and has a trainee council available to offer further help with courses and training. Attend the University of Michigan Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fellowship, designed to give you top-rated training while getting advice from some of the best doctors and hematologists in pediatric medicine.

Hematology education and training refers to the required schooling for medical doctors that wish to become hematologists. Hematologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating diseases of the blood. Hematologists work in various medical settings, including private practices and hospitals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

American Society of Hematology

The American Society of Hematology is an accredited organization that provides continuing medical education credits to hematologists. Besides educational opportunities, the American Society of Hematology supports its members in the field.

I recommend: Read more about the American Society of Hematology and the educational services provided to members.

Self-Assessment Program

The American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment Program (ASH ASP) is a type of training program that allows hematologists to stay abreast of current developments in the field of hematology. The training program allows candidates to receive certification credits.

I recommend: Get the basics about the ASH SAP on the official website.

Hematology Maintenance of Certification exam

This exam covers different areas of hematology and uses both text and illustrative questions to test the hematologist. Questions may include facts about blood films, urine sediments, common and rare blood diseases.

I recommend: The American Board of Internal Medicine has exam information for the Hematology Maintenance of Certification test. You can also download a PDF file with a blueprint of the exam.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

One of the pre-requisites for becoming a hematologist is passing the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. Candidates must complete an undergraduate pre-med degree prior to taking this exam.

I recommend: Healthcare Training Center has a detailed section on hematology pre-requisite education, including the MCAT.

CME teleconference

As an alternative to a classroom program of study, hematologists can attend different types of events to earn training credits. A CME teleconference involves sitting in on a conference with a guest speaker to discuss different areas of hematology.

I recommend: The Hematology Education Institute includes CME teleconference programs.

Hematology fellowship program

A fellowship program will involve training within a specific hematology department in order to gain certification in the field. For example, you can choose to apply for a fellowship in pediatric hematology.

I recommend: Research the Yale Pediatric Hematology Fellowship program on the Yale Medical School website.