The academic path to becoming an ENT specialist is long and demanding. It combines the acquisition of medical knowledge with the exercise of clinical skills. This specialization includes practical internships, research and - often - further training. This article explores the different stages of this adventure, which we outlined in our ENT career sheet. From your first steps in medical school to your residency years, let's take a look at the challenges of ENT studies.
General medical studies
After high school
Before entering higher education, aspiring ENT specialists must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, they can choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they will either be rejected or integrated into the second year of general medical studies.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, favoring skills and reorientation.
General medical studies
After the PASS or L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:
- The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
- The Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.
Externship examinations
During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of exams which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty as well as their city. Here's the list:
- Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in theoretical knowledge useful to all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
- Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): These are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum grade is 10/20.
- Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.
ENT specialization
Once they have completed their general medical studies, students specializing in ENT enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- Theoretical training: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of otolaryngology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practical training: ENT interns take part in the work of various health departments. They carry out consultations, surgery and patient follow-up under the supervision of experienced specialists.
Finally, ENT interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, he or she is awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie (DES). In all, it took him 11 years of study to become an ENT specialist.
Further training
After obtaining the DES and registering with the Ordre des Médecins, specialists wishing to apply for ENT jobs can continue their training to specialize in specific fields such as otology, rhinology, laryngology, ENT surgery or ENT oncology.
Skills and qualities required of an ENT specialist
Whatever their specialty, ENT specialists must possess the technical, medical and human skills and qualities needed to succeed in their field. These are imparted and passed on throughout their academic training. In particular, they must possess medical, diagnostic and surgical skills, while demonstrating curiosity, adaptability, leadership, rigor, patience and empathy. This set of skills will enable them to exercise their profession with complete peace of mind, and to deal with every case they encounter.
From the rigor of initial studies to the acquisition of specific clinical and surgical skills, each stage of the training to become an ENT specialist is crucial. They train qualified professionals capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions. Ongoing training is essential in this evolving field, ensuring that specialists remain at the cutting edge of advances. This combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience and dedication to learning is the key to success in this exciting field.
Enjoyed this article and want to know more? Discover our ENT salary sheet!
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ENT Specialist (M/F) - Montigny-les-Cormeilles, 95
Employee
500 - 700 per day
Montigny-lès-Cormeilles
ENT Position (M/F) - Montigny-lès-Cormeilles, 95 A practice specializing in ear care, located in Montigny-lès-Cormeilles, in the Val-d'Oise department, is seeking a new ENT Specialist (M/F) for a private practice position or a permanent contract in the OPTAM Sector 2. Conditions Private practice or permanent contract Full-time or part-time The Practice You will join a 150 m² facility dedicated to ear care, offering a turnkey practice and fully operational premises. In addition, the current team includes three hearing aid specialists and a sophrologist, and the occasional services of a vestibular physical therapist will round out the care pathway. This is an exclusive consultation practice: however, the practitioner remains free to maintain or develop a surgical practice at the facility of their choice, with the consultation schedule adapting to their operating room slots. The atmosphere is dynamic and friendly, conducive to the development of a high-quality ENT practice. Compensation In private practice: a retainer of 20–25% of fees, with no rent or fixed expenses, covering the full cost of facilities provided (premises, technical equipment, administrative support, consumables, equipment maintenance, and administrative management) As a salaried employee: €500 to €700 gross per day worked, or approximately €8,000 to €11,000 gross per month for full-time work Responsibilities Providing high-quality care for ENT patients Close collaboration with hearing aid specialists and the sophrologist Coordination with a vestibular physical therapist for the management of vestibular disorders Receiving patients, conducting consultations, and providing medical follow-up Contributing to the growth of the ear department Managing and organizing your turnkey practice within the facility The Benefits Turnkey, fully operational practice Self-employed or salaried status, depending on your preference No investment or overhead costs to bear Flexible schedule, adapted to your potential surgical slots Welcoming and friendly team Reserved parking space for each professional Right next to the train station That little extra something The train station, located just 100 meters away, makes daily commutes and connections to major regional stations easy, making the location convenient for both patients and practitioners. Qualifications ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 2965 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: Connections with our partner medical schools Assistance with registration with the medical board A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
ENT Physician (M/F) - Les Mureaux, 78
Employee
130000 - 220000 per year
les Mureaux
Join a multidisciplinary medical center located in Les Mureaux, in the Yvelines department, under a permanent contract. The terms - Permanent contract - Ideally full-time The Facility This is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary medical center. The existing team includes a general practitioner, an endocrinologist/diabetologist, two pediatricians, a gynecologist, and a nurse, offering a rich and collaborative multidisciplinary environment. In addition, Les Mureaux—a well-connected town on the banks of the Seine—offers a pleasant setting just outside the Paris region. Compensation For this position, you will receive a 40% net revenue share. Responsibilities - ENT consultations - Diagnosis and management of otolaryngological conditions - Performing additional diagnostic tests - Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team Benefits - Opening of a new location and a growing practice - Multidisciplinary team - Collaborative environment among physicians and specialists - Attractive commission structure - Pleasant setting along the banks of the Seine That little something extra Les Mureaux lies along the banks of the Seine, facing a ring of forests, with a popular water sports center for rowing and canoeing along the river. The city also boasts a rich history in aeronautics and space exploration, as it is home to major industrial sites contributing to European launch vehicles. All of this is just about 30 minutes by train from Paris-Saint-Lazare. Qualifications An ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board (Ordre). Contact us at 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 13352 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
ENT Physician (M/F) - Strasbourg 67
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Illkirch-Graffenstaden
As part of its business expansion, a medical facility in Strasbourg, in the Bas-Rhin department, is seeking an ENT specialist (M/F) for a potential permanent position. Conditions - Permanent contract starting in September - Temporary assignments possible - Full-time or part-time, flexible depending on the organization’s needs - Tuesday through Friday initially The Facility You will join a facility currently specializing in ophthalmology and ENT, which is engaged in a multidisciplinary development project in Strasbourg. In addition, the existing team includes 2 to 3 orthoptists, administrative staff, management, and an ENT physician. The center benefits from high patient demand and a steady flow of patients, ensuring consistent workload. Partnerships with hospitals and private clinics allow patients to be referred for surgical procedures when necessary. Compensation - 40–45% of gross revenue Responsibilities - Outpatient ENT consultations - Diagnosis and follow-up of otolaryngological conditions - Referral and coordination of patients to hospital or clinic partners for surgery - Participation in the facility’s multidisciplinary development - Daily collaboration with orthoptists, administrative staff, and management - Management and tracking of patient records in collaboration with the administrative team Benefits - High patient volume ensuring consistent workload - Established paramedical and administrative team - Opportunity to transition into surgical practice through existing partnerships - Flexibility in work schedule and the option to start with temporary assignments - Multidisciplinary development project offering career opportunities That Extra Something Strasbourg combines historical heritage with European vibrancy: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Petite France district, and the European institutions offer a rich cultural and professional environment—not to mention the famous Christmas market, which attracts numerous visitors every year. Qualifications An ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job Posting Reference: 13211 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, a leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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