Breathing is a function so essential to our survival that we've relegated it to the body's automatism. Most of the time, we don't even realize that air is passing through our lungs, but when illness gets in the way... everything goes haywire. That's where the pulmonologist comes in. A guarantor of the good health of our organs and airways, the pulmonologist is an essential specialist in the health field, although his or her work is little-known. In this article, we'll explore all the important elements of this profession, from training to salary. Whether you're a casual visitor or a specialist looking for a job as a pneumologist, the following lines will answer any questions you may have.
What is a pneumologist?
A pneumologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of respiratory disorders of all kinds. In this context, he is the guarantor of the good health of the lungs and associated natural airways for the patients who consult him. From cancers to asthma, the pulmonologist treats a wide range of pathologies for which he or she has undergone long and rigorous training. It's a rich career, full of challenges and opportunities.
What are the main pathologies treated by pulmonologists?
On a day-to-day basis, a pulmonologist treats a large number of cases which, although they concern the same field, are nonetheless very different from one another. Among the most common are the following:
- Sleep apnea: a sleep disorder that causes breathing interruptions during the night.
- Asthma: a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways.
- Chronic bronchitis: often linked to smoking, it manifests itself in a persistent cough and excessive mucus production.
- Lung cancer: one of the most widespread and deadly forms of cancer.
- Emphysema: a disease that destroys the pulmonary alveoli, often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Pulmonary fibrosis: a disease characterized by the hardening of lung tissue, making breathing difficult.
- Pneumonia: an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Training and career paths to become a pneumologist
The academic path required to become a pneumologist is demanding. It requires the acquisition of advanced medical skills. This specialization includes internships, research and training. It comprises a first year of study in the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS) or Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS), followed by two years of general medical studies to obtain the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM), and a further three years to obtain the Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM). Finally, the young graduate must sit the final externat exams (EDN and ECNOS) and specialize in pneumology. There, he or she will become a student intern for five years, before officially becoming a pneumologist. To find out more about pneumology studies, see our pneumologist studies fact sheet.
After training in respirology, some practitioners choose to specialize in specific areas such as pulmonary oncology, sleep medicine, pediatric or interventional respirology, respiratory rehabilitation or lung transplantation.
Would you like to find out more about this aspect of the profession? Take a look at our lung specialist fact sheet!
The skills needed to become a lung specialist
As with any medical specialty, the profession of pulmonologist requires the mastery of a wide range of technical and interpersonal skills. Here's an overview of the qualities that enable these doctors to provide care with peace of mind:
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Diagnostic skills
- Spirometry: the pulmonologist uses this tool to measure a patient's lung capacity and assess respiratory function. Spirometry is essential for diagnosing conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Blood gasometry: this technique analyzes gas levels (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the blood, helping to assess the severity of respiratory disorders and adjust treatments.
- Medical imaging: pulmonologists must be able to interpret chest X-rays, CT scans and, in some cases, MRIs to identify abnormalities in the lungs and airways.
- Bronchial endoscopy: this procedure, which involves inserting a tube fitted with a camera into the respiratory tract, enables direct visualization of the interior of the bronchi and the taking of samples for biopsies or cytological examinations.
- Prescribing and managing treatments : the pneumologist must have in-depth knowledge of the drugs used to treat respiratory diseases, such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids or antibiotics.
- Oxygen therapy: the pneumologist must be able to prescribe and manage home or hospital oxygen therapy for patients suffering from respiratory insufficiency.
- Non-invasive ventilation: this technique is used to assist breathing in patients with severe respiratory disorders.
- Screening and prevention: the pulmonologist plays a key role in the early detection of diseases such as lung cancer and COPD.
- Long-term monitoring of chronic diseases: the management of chronic respiratory diseases requires regular monitoring and ongoing adaptation of treatments. The pulmonologist must be able to monitor the evolution of these diseases and advise patients on the lifestyle modifications needed to manage their condition.
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People skills
- Empathy and listening skills: understanding and empathizing with patients' concerns to offer appropriate support.
- Ability to communicate clearly: explain complex medical concepts in a way that patients can understand.
- Stress and emotional management: remain calm and effective in difficult or urgent situations.
- Patience and perseverance: accompany patients over the long term and adjust treatments consistently.
- Ability to work as part of a team: collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
- Sense of responsibility and decision-making: make informed, responsible decisions concerning patients' health.
Respirologist's salary
A pulmonologist's salary varies according to a number of factors:
- Experience: Respirologists at the start of their careers generally earn lower salaries, but these will rise mechanically as they gain experience and establish a loyal patient base.
- Location: when it comes to setting up a practice, there are a number of criteria to take into account that will influence income. These include the standard of living of the local population, the rates charged by other practitioners, and the population density, which will determine the flow of patients.
- Types of practice: as we saw earlier, lung specialists can work in very different conditions. A self-employed respirologist will generally earn more than a salaried respirologist.
Would you like to find out more? See our pneumologist salary sheet!
Career opportunities and prospects
The career of a pulmonologist offers a wide range of opportunities, both in terms of structures and status. After completing one of France's most challenging university courses, these specialists can choose to work in :
- Public hospitals: pulmonologists working in public hospitals treat a wide variety of patients, often in specialized pulmonology departments. They are involved in the diagnosis, treatment, emergency intervention and follow-up of serious respiratory diseases. Public hospitals also allow pulmonologists to participate in clinical research and internship training.
- Private clinics: in a private clinic, pulmonologists can offer specialized care with more personalized attention. The organization of their work is more flexible, and they can focus on specific pathologies or procedures.
- Private practice: in private practice, pulmonologists work as independent practitioners. They consult patients for diagnosis, chronic disease follow-up and assessment. This status offers them a high degree of autonomy, in return for the fiscal and human responsibilities of the premises they manage.
- Respiratory rehabilitation centers: these centers specialize in the care of patients suffering from chronic or severe respiratory illnesses. Pulmonologists take part in rehabilitation programs designed to improve patients' lung capacity and quality of life.
- Research centers: pulmonologists focus on the study of respiratory diseases, the development of new treatments and the evaluation of medical techniques.
- Public health institutions: where respirologists can take part in implementing health policies, prevention campaigns against respiratory diseases and epidemiological surveillance.
In short, the profession of pulmonologist is as exciting as it is challenging. Once they've gone through the rigors of medical school, young doctors will have plenty of opportunities to shape their careers in their own image. Whether it's helping patients suffering from respiratory disorders, training the next generation of specialists or working to advance medical research, the pulmonologist will always have something to do, and will be able to vary tasks and objectives. Like other medical professions, the career of a pulmonologist is highly stimulating and resolutely forward-looking, thanks to the progressive implementation of new technologies.
Enjoy this article? Continue reading with our general practitioner job description!
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Pulmonologist (M/F) - Héricourt 70
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Héricourt
As part of its business expansion, a rehabilitation center located in Héricourt, in the Haute-Saône department, is seeking a pulmonologist (M/F) for a permanent position. Conditions - Permanent contract - Full-time or part-time positions available - Start date: ASAP The Facility You will join a specialized physical medicine and rehabilitation center that is a leading facility in the Belfort-Montbéliard region. It offers comprehensive inpatient services and a day hospital, organized into specialized departments to ensure expert care and continuity of care pathways. In addition, the facility has approximately 106 inpatient beds, 35 day-hospital slots, and employs nearly 250 staff members. The facility offers specialized care pathways in neurology, musculoskeletal medicine, oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology, as well as a unit dedicated to patients in a chronic vegetative or minimally responsive state. Compensation - In accordance with the FEHAP 51 Agreement Responsibilities - Comprehensive medical care for inpatients undergoing rehabilitation - Participation in the development of personalized care plans for each patient - Working in tandem with a physiatrist - Care for approximately 30 inpatient beds - Participating in scheduled admissions and the pulmonary day hospital program - Daily collaboration with the multidisciplinary team - Contributing to medical organization and the continuous improvement of care pathways Benefits - CSE benefits - Health insurance - Temporary company housing available - Numerous training opportunities and the possibility of funding for a university diploma in physical medicine and rehabilitation - Gym - Cafeteria - Small daycare center - Comprehensive CSR policy Facilities - Balneotherapy facility with two pools, a patient lift, and an adjustable-height floor - Prosthetics and orthotics workshop and dedicated consultation room - Gait analysis laboratory - Stabilometry platform - Urodynamics equipment - Gait Trainer (walking simulator) - ArmeoSpring (robotic assistance for upper limb rehabilitation) - Isokinetic equipment for muscle strength assessment - Driving simulator - Vibrasens - Mirror therapy for neuromotor rehabilitation - Radiology department - Adapted climbing wall - Two rehabilitation exoskeletons That Extra Special Touch The location near Belfort provides quick access to the famous Lion of Belfort and the surrounding natural areas. The proximity to Mulhouse and the Vosges Mountains offers great opportunities for weekend hikes and outdoor activities. Qualifications Pulmonologist 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: 12802 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, will assist you free of charge until you begin your practice - Introduction to our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the French 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.
Pneumologist - Penne-d'Agenais 47
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Saint-Sylvestre-sur-Lot
As part of its business development, a hospital in Penne-d'Agenais, Lot-et-Garonne, is looking for a new lung specialist on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time - 5 days/week - From 9am to 5pm The structure You will work in a private, not-for-profit establishment located in Penne-d'Agenais, about 30 minutes from Agen. Housed in a renovated, air-conditioned château, the facility boasts a 13-hectare park planted with trees, ideal for patients' rehabilitation and well-being. What's more, the facility boasts highly stable teams, low staff turnover and a healthy financial situation. Its medical and paramedical teams enjoy a high degree of autonomy, and work in a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. Remuneration - To be defined according to profile and experience Duties - Carry out pneumology activities within a multi-purpose and geriatric SMR unit - Provide inpatient and outpatient consultations and follow-up care - Participate in the management of polypathological patients in collaboration with the geriatrician - Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and care pathway coordination - Participate in on-call duty, mainly by telephone, and in exceptional trips after regulation by the SAMU (emergency medical service) - Participate in ongoing training and quality improvement initiatives The advantages - Premises in a renovated château set in 13 hectares of parkland - Full, stable multidisciplinary team - Low staff turnover guarantees continuity of care - High degree of medical autonomy in the organization of care - Limited on-call duty, mainly by telephone - Financed extension project and modernization of technical facilities - Ongoing training encouraged Equipment - Two rehabilitation technical platforms - Bobath tables - Arthromotors - Balneotherapy A little something extra Penne-d'Agenais is a hilltop bastide offering beautiful views over the Lot valley and a pleasant living environment. Its proximity to Agen, only 30 minutes away, means you can enjoy all the conveniences of a larger town, while benefiting from a natural environment ideal for outdoor activities. Profile required Respirologist qualified 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: 12719 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 - Dedicated consultant to support you
Pneumologist - Marseille 1st
Liberal
4000 - 8000 per month
Marseille 1er
As part of the development of its activities, a medical facility in the first arrondissement of Marseille, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, is looking for a new pulmonologist M/F on a self-employed basis. Terms and conditions - Private practice - Full time preferred - No minimum number of days required - Flexible working hours The structure You will be joining a fast-growing premium medical organization in Marseille, which already has two centers in the city center. The premises are modern and spacious, designed to provide a comfortable environment for practitioners and patients alike. What's more, the structure provides a complete administrative organization to preserve the practitioners' medical autonomy and optimize their medical time. The secretariat is on hand 7/7, and accounting support is provided to facilitate installation and practice. The model is designed to combine the advantages of salaried employment with the freedom and income of self-employment, without the usual administrative constraints. You'll have no minimum number of days, no volume obligations, and no hierarchy. The center already has a dozen different specialties in practice, and is expanding month by month. Your remuneration - Retrocession of between 25% and 30% gross of sales, depending on equipment used Assignments - Consultations and patient follow-up - Perform and interpret examinations - Prescription and follow-up of additional investigations - Coordination with other specialists - Contribute to the establishment's medical projects The benefits - Modern, spacious premises - Medical equipment paid for by the facility - 7/7 secretarial support and two executive assistants - Full administrative management and accounting support - Organizational freedom and no volume obligations - Sector 1 and sector 2 acceptance - Help with setting up and administrative procedures The little extra The first arrondissement is the beating heart of the city of Marseille, ideally served by public transport and just a few minutes from the Old Port. Here, you'll find a dynamic living environment, ideal for balancing professional activity and quality of life, with a remarkable cultural and gastronomic offering. What's more, the immediate proximity of the Mediterranean coastline and the calanques (rocky inlets) will ensure that you have plenty of time to recharge your batteries, just moments away from where you work. Profile required Respirologist qualified 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: 12667 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your activity: - Introduction to 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.
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