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) - Marseille 1st
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Marseille 1er
As part of its business expansion, a multidisciplinary medical facility in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, is seeking an ENT specialist (M/F) for a permanent position. Requirements - Permanent contract - Flexible schedule - Minimum of 3 days per week The Practice You will work within a healthcare group operating at two locations in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, comprising approximately 70 practitioners across both facilities. The practice is fully multidisciplinary, with departments dedicated to radiology, dermatology, gynecology, and psychiatry, as well as a fully operational ophthalmology unit. The central location makes it easily accessible by public transportation, and the surrounding area offers numerous amenities to support your practice. Compensation - Compensation of 35% of gross revenue Responsibilities - Conduct ENT consultations at the practice - Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support the patient care pathway - Organize and manage your schedule in coordination with the medical director Benefits - Fully equipped facility - High patient volume - Flexible schedule and the option to share duties - Multidisciplinary team and extensive network of practitioners - Central location in Marseille, close to public transportation and amenities That little extra something The downtown location allows you to quickly enjoy the Old Port, museums like the Mucem, and access to the Calanques for nature outings just a few dozen minutes away. Qualifications An ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered with or eligible for registration in the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job posting reference: 12721 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with 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 M/F - Martigues 13
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Martigues
A multi-purpose health center in Martigues, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, is actively seeking a full-time ENT specialist. Structure DNA This non-profit health center (under the French law of 1901) offers medical and dental services on two floors with elevator access, the medical part occupying around 1,160 m² and the dental part 800 m². The facility has free parking for around 100 cars and is served by two bus routes. An agreement with the town hall facilitates housing searches and access to nursery and school places for practitioners, and a pharmacy is nearby. The center communicates locally via a partner mutual insurance company with 7,000 members. Internal communication is via a WhatsApp group. The atmosphere is multidisciplinary and geared towards coordinated medical care. Description and responsibilities You will be part of a team of specialists, and will be responsible for ENT consultations, patient assessment and follow-up, and specialty procedures as appropriate to your practice. You will have access to the equipment already on site, and will work closely with the other specialties on site. Initial care and administrative tasks will be carried out by nursing assistants and an administrative team, so that you can concentrate on the medical side of things. The center is already home to several specialties, including cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, pneumology, pediatrics and radiology. Compensation For this position, you will receive a retrocession, the amount of which will be discussed at the time of interview, depending on your experience and working hours. Benefits - Technical platform and equipment available on site - Extensive premises on two floors with elevator and free parking for 100 cars - Dedicated administrative team and nursing assistants for clinical and administrative support - Local support agreement for housing and childcare solutions - Mutual insurance 50% covered, 37 days vacation and luncheon vouchers 50% covered (value €9) Profile sought ENT graduate, registered or eligible for registration with the Ordre des Médecins in France. Contact us on 07 44 71 65 08 or by e-mail at [email protected] Reference 11480 Candidates from the European Union JoberGroup, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support right up to the start of your activity - Language training (Level B2) - Contact with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
ENT - Saint-Denis 93 M/F
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Saint-Denis
A multidisciplinary medical center in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, is actively seeking a freelance ENT specialist. Terms and conditions - Private practice - Organization adapted to your availability - Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 12:00am - Weekends from 8:30am to 5:00pm Our structure Located in Saint-Denis, this new-generation multidisciplinary medical center covers 400 m², entirely dedicated to a complete and diversified range of care, covering specialized medicine, unscheduled medicine, sleep medicine and women's medicine. The spaces have been designed to combine professional comfort and optimum patient care, with dedicated consultation rooms, technical rooms and rest areas. In addition, the facility benefits from a strategic location close to the Paris suburbs, with easy access to major roads and parking facilities. Remuneration - Retrocession of up to 70% gross of sales Missions - Specialized consultations - Perform examinations and technical procedures - Provision of unscheduled medical care according to the center's needs - Coordination of care within the multidisciplinary team - Collaboration with hospital structures and local partner networks The advantages - New, modern, spacious and fully-equipped 400 m² center - On-site secretary for reception, billing and appointment management - Medical assistants dedicated to pre-consultation and assistance with technical procedures - Professional liability and medical association fees covered - Multidisciplinary team and partnerships with hospital structures - High patient flow guaranteed by dense catchment area - Parking and easy access to main roads Our equipment - ECG - Ultrasound - ECG and blood pressure Holter - Spirometer - Stress test - Biological tests (urine dipstick, ECBU) Profile required ENT graduate in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Ordre. Contact us on 07 44 71 65 08 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference : 7425 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with. Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, France's leading recruitment agency for healthcare professionals, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your business: - Introduction to our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association (Ordre des Médecins) - Dedicated consultant to support you
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