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Electrophysiologist |
Career OverviewElectrophysiologists study the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. They measure the voltage change or electrical current flow on a great variety of scales. They might work with single ion channel proteins or whole tissues like the heart. In neuroscience, electrophysiologists measure the electrical activity of neurons, as well as action potential activity.
There are two main divisions of electrophysiology: extracellular recording and intracellular recording. Intracellular recordings are usually (but not in every case) made from cells “in vitro” (in a glass or plastic tube), while extracellular recordings are usually “in vivo” (in living animals or organisms). Intracelluar recording devices include the voltage clamp and the current clamp. Extracellular recording involves field potential recording, single unit recording, single channel recoding, and amperometry.
There are numerous branches of electrophysiology. Electrocardiography for the heart. Electromyography for the muscles. Electrophalography for the brain. Electrocorticography for the cerebral cortex. Electrooculography for the eyes. Electroretinography for the retina.
A cardiac electrophysiologist performs an electrophysiologic study (EPS) of the electrical conduction system of the heart by situating catheters within the heart. There are a number of different tests the electrophysiologist can carry out. If the heart is stimulated electrically via the catheter, it is known as programmed electrical stimulation (PES). Doctors use PES to help diagnose certain types of heart disease.
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Career RequirementsHigh school students interested in becoming electrophyisiologists must take courses that will prepare them for college or university. They will need mathematics, physics, algebra, chemistry, biology and other sciences. They should also take English courses to sharpen their communications skills, and courses in computer science.
Because electrophysiologists deal directly with patients, it is also recommended that students take a course in psychology. At the post-secondary level students in undergraduate and graduate programs for electrophysiology will study such subjects as anatomy and cell biology, pharmacology, physiology, cellular and tissue biomechanics, biochemistry and molecular genetics.
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Job OutlookEmployment in this profession is expected to grow much faster than the average through 2014. As the population grows and becomes older there will be an increasing demand for specialists in heart-related illnesses. There is already a growing need for pediatric electrophysicists. Public awareness of heart-related health issues is also increasing the demand for high tech equipment in hospitals, and trained people to operate the machinery.
Competition for jobs in the biomedical field will be stiff because many graduates in this field have been coming out of the colleges and universities. Many employers require a graduate degree for entry level positions, so those with bachelor’s degrees will have to go back to school to enhance their credentials.
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Career TrackMost electrophysiologists work in the cardiac departments of hospitals. However, many are also employed in cardiac centers and electrophysiology/pacemaker labs. Electrophysiologists employed in hospitals can advance to supervisory positions or become department heads. Electrophysiologists working for private clinics and labs can also advance to positions of greater responsibility, and have the added opportunity of rising to a seat as a partner in the firm. Electrophysiologists with the appropriate degrees and experience can also teach.
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CompensationThe bio-medical field is one of the highest paying in the medical world. Entry level jobs can pay from $48,000 to $59,000 a year. For skilled and experienced technicians it is not unheard of for annual salaries to exceed $100,000.
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