CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY - I receive many mails from friends and junior colleagues, the question is – is it interesting to be a Medical Microbiologist, and lucrative, certainly it is interesting provided you have skills and ability to be creative, the curriculum of MD with MCI has become static we all read more theory than practice certainly it lead to monotonous laboratories and certainly we diagnose few clinically important diseases, lack of funding, Many think doing bench work is below the standards to be a Medical Microbiologist , however it is not possible to control the technical manpower without ourselves handling the matters in time of critical management of laboratories, Clinicians rule the system with empirical choice of Antibiotics, and ultimately lead to fall of the confidence , Today Medical microbiology certainly need better skilled people to run the system to the changing priorities of the advancing medical challenges
What are the skills required by a microbiologist?
As a microbiologist you need to have various skills handling technology:
-One should be updated with the latest scientific developments.
- One should have an inquiring mind with clear and logical thinking.
- One should have the ability to solve problems and even to lead a team.
- A high level of accuracy and attention is also required.
- One should have a good team work and able to demonstrate skills .
- An excellent spoken and written communication skill is also required.
- One should have the ability to work with statistics and computer skills, one with on line search abilities can organize and correct the errors faster, and timely information can be delivered to the critical care of the patients
Quickly make efforts to, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Above all the Microbiologists should be Competent Team workers
Try being a leader in Interpersonal and Communication Skills organizing
Leadership and Personal Effectiveness is the need of the Hour
Career success is both about what you do applying your technical knowledge, skills, and ability and how you do it the consistent behaviors you demonstrate and choose to use while interacting and communicating with others. Hopefully, by studying the essential competencies, identifying your developmental opportunities, and working to refine your own competence, you can take charge of your career!
Certainly not lucrative in India as the Majority clinicians dependent on ANTIBIOTICS AND NOT ON COMPETENCY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY
The world is changing to automation and molecular trends for faster diagnosis of infectious diseases
Ref changing trends in Diagnostic Microbiology Digital resources@ CDC and NIH
Dr.T.V.Rao MD@Carrer Development