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Allergists/Immunologists: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview Allergies and allergy induced diseases are becoming common. These are due to the 
envoronmental stresses and psychological stresses aside from the physiologic 
causes. There are doctors who specialty is to manage or treat allergies, allergic, 
asthmatics as well as a range of immunologic diseases. They are called 
Allergists/Immunologists. Among their specialties known to us are asthma, hay 
fever, food induced allergic reactions, immunologic diseases like arthritis as 
well as AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, to name a few. Presently, 
there are approximately 4,500 certified professionals in this field in the United 
States.

Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required

As early as high school one can already prepare to become an allergist or 
immunologist. This is by taking subjects that are science related such as Biology, 
Health sciences, Chemistry and the like. Social science subjects will enable on to 
master the skills in relating will people or with clients. Allergists and 
Immunologists are basically physicians or medical doctors. A premedical course of 
any subject has to be taken first before going to the medical school. After 
finishing a Doctor or Medicine, it is required to take a licensing examination so 
as to be registered as an M.D. The residency will follow for the practical 
training in the hospital. It is advised to take a residency training either in 
Pediatrics or Internal Medicine and afterwards take a fellowship on Allergy and 
Immunology. A certification can be granted after a successful passing of the 
requirements and the examination from the American Board of Allergy and 
Immunology.

Skills and Abilities

A genuine concern to help the people who have these conditions is a must. Being a 
doctor subjects one to selflessness, and a vow to help the needy ones in terms of 
their health and wellness.Critical thinking skills, analytical skills are needed 
so as to diagnose and create the best plan of treatment for each of the clients. 
Patient care and drug administration skills, such as the use of injection and 
sharps should be mastered as they will be constantly encountering patients whose 
needs can be adressed through drug or substance administration.

Duties

As has been mentioned, allergies of all sorts are becoming rampant.

Almost 20 
percent or one in every five Americans suffer from some kind of allergy. It is the 
allergist/Immunologist to identify the causes of allergies to include food, pants, 
pollens, house dust mites, certain chemicals and chemical products that make the 
patient suffer and have some discomforts. Among the diseases that they treat are 
allergic rhinities, the so-called hay fever, allergic shock, autoimmune urticaria 
and many others.They administer medications as appropriate,as well as place them 
in desensitization therapy on a monthly basis. Part of the job is the evaluation 
of the effectiveness of the therapy or the drugs given, and encouraging them to 
follow up on the therapy for further management. They also give counseling to 
these people who are having severe allergic reations to many agents besides the 
pharmacological treatment of the conditions.

Job Outlook and Earnings

It is predicted that the employment rate for the allergists and immunologists will 
grow faster than the average until the year 2012 as more and more people are 
suffering from allergies. The salary for these kinds of professionals range from 
39,000 to 57,000 U.S. dollars during their residency periods. The average salary 
for the professional allergists/immunoogist with moderate level of experience is 
around 155,000 U.S. dollars per annum.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.


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