In France, to become a oncologist, you need to complete a long course of medical studies. This apprenticeship enables students to acquire all the technical skills and human qualities essential to the practice of this profession. This is what we defined in our oncologist job description. Since it's not always easy to find one's way through the multitude of options offered by this course of study, let's try to shed some light on the subject in this article.
What is an oncologist?
An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cancer patients. They draw up personalized treatment plans based on the type of cancer, its stage and the patient's specific characteristics. Their role is to provide support throughout the entire care process, from the initial consultation to the end of treatment or, in some cases, palliative care. In addition, this specialist must collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, radiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.
Studying to become an oncologist
General medical studies
Before entering higher education, aspiringoncologists must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies 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 may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills development and reorientation.
After the PASS or the 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 the theoretical knowledge required by 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 mark 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.
Specialization in oncology
Once they have completed their general medical studies , students specializing in oncology enter a four-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- Theoreticaltraining : interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of oncology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practicaltraining : oncology interns participate in the work of various health services.
In addition, oncology interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, interns are awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Oncologie (DES).
Skills and knowledge required
To practise as an oncologist with confidence, you need to acquire and master a number of skills:
- In-depth knowledge of oncology: the oncologist must have a comprehensive understanding of the different types of cancer, their biology and evolution. This expertise extends to the mechanisms of tumor development, risk factors, and the latest scientific and technological advances in the field of oncology. A constant watch on new medical developments is essential if we are to propose the most effective and appropriate treatments.
- Mastery of treatments and care techniques: mastery of cancer treatments is essential when applying for a job as an oncologist. This includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies, which target specific abnormalities in cancer cells. The oncologist must also be able to manage the side effects of treatment and ensure that the patient enjoys optimum quality of life during the period of care.
- Human qualities: empathy and patient support: beyond medical skills, the oncologist must demonstrate empathy and understanding. The diagnosis of cancer is often a very difficult time for patients and their families, and the oncologist plays a crucial role in providing moral support. He or she must be able to communicate clearly, show compassion and respect patients' choices, while guiding them in their treatment decisions.
Possible specializations in oncology
While the basic training is more than sufficient for a rich and fulfillingcareer as an oncologist, there are a number of specializations available to diversify the scope of your work:
- Medical oncology: treating cancers with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. This involves long-term follow-up to assess response to treatment and manage side effects.
- Radiation oncology: the use of radiotherapy to target and destroy tumors. It requires careful planning to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Surgical oncology: removal of solid tumors by surgical intervention. It is often combined with other approaches to optimize the chances of cure.
- Hemato-oncology: treatment of blood cancers and management of marrow transplants. It deals with leukemia, lymphoma and other hematological malignancies.
- Pediatric oncology: treatment of cancers in children and adolescents. This specialty takes into account the specificities of growth and psychological support for young patients.
In short, although the path to becoming an oncologist is demanding, it leads to a highly rewarding and respected profession. Oncology is a complex but stimulating field, offering a diverse and rewarding career. Medical discoveries, human interaction and varied case management make it an essential specialty, and one that is highly prized by students.
If this article has interested you and you'd like to find out more, don't hesitate to read our oncologist salary sheet!
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Oncologist - Bordeaux 33
Employee
80000 - 100000 per year
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Job Oncologist M/F - Bordeaux 33 We are recruiting an Oncologist M/F to join a healthcare establishment located near Bordeaux, in Gironde, on a full-time permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time The facility The facility, conveniently located near Bordeaux, has a team of 300 employees, including 30 to 40 specialist physicians, and stands out for its commitment to solidarity and its diversity of activities. It has 72 full hospitalization beds and is developing several specialties, including vascular medicine, palliative care, hepato-gastro-enterology, diabetology and addictology. The HAH is supported by a comprehensive technical platform: scanner, ultrasound, radiology, mammography, with an MRI planned. The facility also includes a 20-place day hospital and an operating room for outpatient surgery. Remuneration - 80,000€ to 100,000€ gross/year, negotiable according to profile and experience Missions - Work in general medicine departments - Comprehensive patient care - Collaboration with various specialists: vascular medicine, palliative care, gastroenterology, diabetology, addictology, etc Your benefits - Full-time salaried status - Attractive remuneration starting at €80,000 gross per year - Full technical facilities: scanner, outpatient unit, ultrasound, radiology, MRI to come - Employee benefits - Ideal location just outside Bordeaux The equipment - CT scanner - Ultrasound - Radiology - Mammography - Operating theatre for outpatient surgery The little extra Bordeaux is famous for its splendid architecture and historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the region's famous vineyards and rich culture. Profile required Oncologist qualified in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Conseil national de l'Ordre des médecins. Contact us on: 07.44.71.65.08 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference : 10189 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of 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
Oncologist - Castres 81 M/F
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Castres
Job Oncologist M/F - Castres 81 Positioning itself as the second-largest player in oncology and hematology care, a polyclinic located in Castres is recruiting an oncologist M/F to accompany a colleague in the context of a freelance collaboration. In the best possible conditions and with respect for each individual, you will be responsible for the overall management of cancer patients in the chemotherapy phase. Your future workplace will bring together more than 60 private practitioners with a capacity of 168 beds and places. As part of a dedicated team of oncologists, radiation oncologists and general practitioners, you will be responsible for implementing and monitoring chemotherapy treatments at the polyclinic's partner hospital. The polyclinic brings together all medical and surgical specialties on a comprehensive technical platform. Its emergency service welcomes patients 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you're committed to providing quality care and taking part in total patient management, this is the job for you. Only an hour from Toulouse and at the foot of the Montagne Noire, Castres is a dynamic and welcoming city, where you can enjoy the exceptional environment of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc, stroll along the Agout river or take mountain excursions, all while working in the city center. Parking is readily available, and buses pass close by. You'll benefit from an attractive rent based on your profile, as well as numerous advantages such as support for your future installation, and a one-year rent-free period, before your rent drops back to 500/600€ per month. What's more, you'll have the option of working part-time as a salaried employee or as a freelancer, with a salary of €700/800 gross per day for the salaried part. Position benefits: - Liberal status - Part-time salaried position possible Multidisciplinary team - Multidisciplinary team - Functional premises - Rent exemption - Assistance with moving in - Parking spaces - Free bus service Location : Castres 81100 The aim is also to give you something to compare by proposing other opportunities, full-time or part-time, in different structures all over France and matching your search criteria. Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our JoberGroup website and mobile application. Profile sought: Holder of a DES in medical oncology or a general practitioner with a degree in oncology, Graduated in France or the European Union, Registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Association. Contact us at : 06 67 17 15 28
Oncologist m/f - Orléans 45
Employee
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Orléans
Job Oncologist m/f - Orléans 45 We are recruiting an oncologist M/F to join a home hospitalization facility located in the immediate vicinity of Orléans, in the Loiret region, on a full-time permanent contract. DNA of the facility You will be working in a hospital-at-home facility with bases close to Orléans and Amilly, covering the whole of the Loiret département. The medical and paramedical teams provide the same level of technical care as in hospital, with 24/7 continuity of care. Coordination with attending physicians, private nurses, physiotherapists and healthcare networks is at the heart of our organizational model. Finally, the facility is located in a pleasant commune, just a few kilometers from Orléans, with all the necessary amenities, all in a natural setting. Description and missions - Provide comprehensive oncology care and coordinate homecare services - Carry out and supervise technical care in the home, including chemotherapy and transfusions - Manage and support palliative care patients - Ensure post-surgical follow-up and home rehabilitation programs - Participate in on-call medical services - Work closely with multidisciplinary teams and liberal partners - Manage and organize the medical schedule in conjunction with the team Compensation For this position, you will receive a salary of around €10,000 gross per month, depending on your profile and experience. On-call duty is paid at €150 per night and €800 per weekend. Benefits - Full technical platform - Target bonus of up to €1,500 per quarter - Intervention bases to facilitate rounds - Multidisciplinary administrative team - Collaborative work environment - Physician-managed scheduling guarantees organizational autonomy - High patient flow - Paid on-call duty, quarterly bonus, profit-sharing and CSE benefits Profile sought Oncologist 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 : 11995 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
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