If you want to spend the rest of your life serving humanity, then becoming a doctor would be a great career option for you. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physicians and Surgeons are expected to face strong employment prospects from 2018 to 2028, therefore this is a good time to establish a career in medicine. Skim through this informative guide to learn how to become a doctor in Oregon.

Should I Become a Doctor

If you are emotionally intelligent, hardworking and enjoy challenging work, then you should consider becoming a doctor.
The table below provides information related to the education, training and license requirements for Physicians and Surgeons. This data has been gathered from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education Required Doctoral or professional training.
Experience/Training Residency/Internship.
License/Certification A state license is mandatory.
Key Skills Compassion, Dexterity and Patience, along with Leadership, Communication, Organization and Problem Solving Skills.
Annual Mean Wage – US (2020) $218,850 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric)
Annual Mean Wage – Oregon (2020) $205,460 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric)
Job Outlook – Oregon (2018-2028) 12% (Physicians, All Other)

Career Requirements

Apart from having the above mentioned skill-set, aspiring doctors are also required to undergo intensive training in order to join the medical field. After completing their undergraduate education, they have to graduate from a medical school. Later, they have to participate in a residency program in their specialty of interest.

Steps to Become a Doctor in Oregon

The steps involved in becoming a doctor are outlined below:

  1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

  2. In order to get into a medical school, you can major in any subject at the undergraduate level, as long as the required pre-medical courses are taken. These courses typically include General Biology, General Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Many medical schools also require some liberal arts courses such as Sociology and Psychology.

  1. Gain Experience in the Healthcare Field

  2. You can gain work experience in the healthcare field through internships and volunteer work. This will help you understand the role of the medical practitioners and will help you decide whether you want to join this profession. Moreover, such experiences will also look good on your medical school admissions form.

  1. Take the MCAT

  2. In this step, you will be required to clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to get into a medical school. The MCAT is a standardized test that will examine your reasoning and analytic skills, along with your knowledge of natural and behavioral science concepts.

  1. Graduate from Medical School

  2. In order to graduate from the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or a Doctor of Medicine program, you will be required to study a range of modules related to Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biochemistry. It will take you around four years to complete the doctoral program, after which you will have to complete your residency training. The length of the residency program depends on your area of specialization.

  1. Get Licensed!

  2. The final stage is getting the state license, where you will be expected to submit a licensure application to the State board along with the required documents. Please bear in mind that you will also need to pass a licensure exam to become licensed. For more details regarding the licensure requirements, we would advise you to visit the state pages.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in Oregon?

The procedure of becoming a doctor in Oregon is quite similar to the process of becoming a doctor in other states. All you need is a four-year long Bachelor of Science/Arts degree, followed by a four-year long doctoral degree. After completing the education requirements, you will have to complete your post-graduate training.

What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Doctor in Oregon?

The requirements are mentioned below:

  • The candidate must have graduated from a school of medicine.
  • If the candidate has graduated from an approved school of medicine, then he/she has to complete one year of approved post-graduate training program. Otherwise he/she has to complete three years of approved post-graduate training.
  • The candidate should have a good moral character.
  • The candidate should pass a licensing exam, whose purpose would be to test his/her fitness to practice medicine.

 

How Much Can I Make as a Doctor in Oregon?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has classified Physicians and Surgeons into many sub-categories, one of which is “Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric”. The employment data shows that the annual mean pay of Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric working in the Oregon in 2020 was $205,460.

Career Outlook for Doctors in Oregon

According to the latest figures published by O*Net Online, “Physicians, All Other” will enjoy job growth of 12% in Oregon between 2018 and 2028.

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