Medical Parasitologist Career Profile
- Career Name - Medical Parasitologist
- Category - Health Specialists
- Skills Required - Life skills 40% - Career skills 60%
- Basic School Subjects - Biology, Science, Language
- Minimum Required Education - Doctorate Degree
- Species Worked With - Insects, Worms
- Kind of Interaction with Animals - Direct
Do you want to work as a medical parasitologist?
READ: This page helps you to read about the career and the info you need to decide on whether this is indeed the career you want to follow.
RESEARCH: ​Learn about the skills required and minimum subjects to enter this career, as well as the places where you can study further after school.
PREPARE: If you want to plan and prepare for your career, then join the OZT Community! Members have access to tools while chatting with other students and experts from around the world. Prepare to be amazed!
CAREER MENTOR
UPDATED:
15 August 2024
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What is a Medical Parasitologist?
A Medical Parasitologist is a scientist who specialises in the study of parasites that affect human health. Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host organism, often causing harm to the host.
The career is very similar to that of a Medical Entomologist, but a parasitologist works with microscopic creatures, worms and arthropods.
Alternative Names
This career can have alternative names, depending on things like language, or even just the names given it within different countries:
- Public Health Parasitologist
Career Categories
The animal related careers are organized into categories. Here are the categories in which Medical Parasitologist can be found:
- Animal Health
- Specialists
History?
Modern medical parasitology began during 1886-1871 in Taiwan when Sir Patrick Manson, a medical doctor from UK, first came to investigate the prevalence of parasitic diseases
Longest parasite?
The longest tapeworm ever removed from a human was 82 feet long, and was removed from a patient in India
What does a Medical Parasitologist do?
Groups of animals a Medical Parasitologist works with
What is the level of Interaction with the Animals?
- Directly - A person works directly with the animals with some form of physical contact at least once every few days
- Indirectly - The career doesn't require direct or physical contact at all.
What does a Medical Parasitologist focus on?
Medical Parasitologists study and treat illnesses caused by microscopic animals, worms and different kinds of insects and arthropods and their vectors. In providing crucial protection to the public, these specialists work to reduce the adverse impact these animals may have on human beings.
Daily tasks of a Medical Parasitologist
- Collect and inspect animals found in patients
- Research the possible diseases the parasites may carry
- Providing technical advice in safeguarding the public
- Design an appropriate surveillance strategy against parasitic diseases
- Administration and filing
The work Environment of a Medical Parasitologist
Work environment and places where a medical parasitologist can be employed
Environment –
Medical Parasitologists work equal amounts indoors and outdoors. Scientific analysis of these animals takes place within a laboratory.
Places of Employment –
They are mainly employed by government, private pharmaceutical companies, forensic laboratories.
Average annual salary for a medical parasitologist
They can earn an average of US$65,000 per year. The salary will also differ from country to country.
Can a medical Parasitologist be promoted?
They do have the opportunity to be promoted within the unit or department, or join a different organization at a higher position.
What difficulties do medical parasitologists face?
The most dangerous aspect of this career is working with microscopic animals that might be carrying deadly pathogens.
They may also work long hours, in difficult conditions, and might need to travel frequently.
Future growth and possibilities in this Career
​The future growth of the sector is growing at around 5% per year.
Which Skills does a Medical Parasitologist need?
The skills required for a career as a medical parasitologist can be divided into two very important groups. The first is the group containing life skills, which are the core skills that are necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. The second group is career skills, or the specific skills required to allow a person to enter and operate effectively within a specific career. Some or maybe even all of the life skills can assist in strengthening the career skills, and they might even be the same for specific careers.
Life Skills
- Self-awareness
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Decision making
- Problem Solving
- Effective communication
- Interpersonal relationship
Career Skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Good health and physical fitness
- Excellent computer literacy
Which Subjects must I have at School to help me prepare for this Career?
Biology will be a good subject at School as a foundation for future studies in parasitology
Science is a foundational subject and required by many colleges and universities for standard admission
Language as a subject is key for you to understand more about communication.
The subjects you choose at school are important as they lay the foundation for further studies at college or university. While still at school, it’s also important to learn more about the animals you will work with, as well as gain some experience.
OZT has a list of various tertiary institutions where you can study further, after school. Each of these institutions also have their own Group page on OZT where you will find the exact subjects they require of you to have passed in school. Keep these requirements in mind, and discuss it with your school, guidance counselor and parents to ensure that you are prepared!
What will I need to Study to become a Medical Parasitologist?
Minimum educational requirement
The minimum international requirement is a Doctorate Degree.
Subject focus
Majors –
The following majors can be taken biosecurity, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, parasitology, Entomology.
Short Courses –
Many colleges have excellent short courses in parasitology.
Subject duration
The duration of a Doctorate Degree includes the 3 to 4 years for a Bachelor’s Degrees, plus an additional 3 plus years for masters and Doctorate. Short Courses are usually between a few weeks and a year.
FREE Career Preparation Path
If this is your dream career that you want to pursue, then it’s important to plan the way forward.
Why is planning important?
​To ensure that you understand the requirements for your career, and that you are always prepared for the next step on the road towards your dream. A preparation path is like a road map to where you want to be.
Possible Paths:
1. Attend Career Guidance Sessions
Attend sessions at school or online to learn more about the field of medical parasitology and related careers. Seek advice from career counsellors on how to prepare for this path.
2. Research All Possible Careers
Explore different careers within parasitology, such as working in research, public health, diagnostics, or academia. Research what medical parasitologists do and what their daily tasks involve.
3. Explore Educational Paths
Investigate the educational requirements, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology, microbiology, parasitology, or related fields. Look into universities that offer strong programmes in these areas.
4. Align High School Subjects with the Educational Path
Focus on science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Math and English are also important for developing analytical and communication skills.
5. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent
Graduate with a strong academic record, especially in science subjects, to be competitive for college admissions.
6. Learn About Animals You Will Work With
Study the biology of animals that are relevant to medical parasitology, such as insects, mollusks, and mammals that serve as hosts or vectors for parasites. Take elective courses related to animal science, if available.
7. Align Post-School Path with Either Entering a Career/Job Directly, Studying Further, or Starting a Business
Plan to pursue further education in a related field. Consider internships or entry-level jobs in labs or public health organisations to gain experience while studying.
8. Gain Experience Through Volunteering, Internships, Mentorship, etc.
Volunteer at local hospitals, research labs, or public health agencies. Seek out internships in related fields during summer breaks. Connect with professionals who can offer mentorship.
9. Pursue Extracurricular Activities
Join science clubs, participate in science fairs, or engage in environmental or wildlife conservation activities. These experiences will enrich your knowledge and skills.
10. Join Professional Associations
Consider joining organizations like the American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) or similar student groups. This will provide access to resources, conferences, and networking opportunities.
11. Gain Specialized Skills
Develop skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. Consider taking online courses or workshops that focus on parasitology, microbiology, or related fields.
12. Network with Professionals
Attend conferences, seminars, or webinars related to parasitology. Connect with professionals in the field through social media platforms like LinkedIn or by joining online communities.
13. Enter the Job Market, Finish Tertiary Studies, or Launch a Business
After completing your degree(s), apply for jobs in research institutions, public health organisations, or universities. Alternatively, consider starting a business focused on diagnostics or consulting in parasitology.
14. Stay Updated and Pursue Continuing Education
Stay informed about the latest research and developments in medical parasitology by reading scientific journals, attending workshops, and pursuing further certifications or degrees if necessary.
This path will prepare you for a successful career as a medical parasitologist by building a strong foundation in science, gaining relevant experience, and networking with professionals in the field.
Possible Combined Career Paths
It is possible to sometimes combine two or more related careers. This normally happens when you study and practice a specific main career, but the knowledge and experience gained also help you to have a paying hobby or secondary income career.
Possible Alternatives (there are a lot more):
Training and apprenticeship
Even though it is important to study to get into some of the animal careers, most of the research and other laboratory skills you will need as a medical parasitologist will be acquired through practice. This means that you will learn how to perform some of the daily tasks by actually doing it a few times and learning the steps.
In some cases entry level positions require training sessions even before you are allowed to actually perform your job duties. These sessions are offered by the place of employment, after you have successfully applied.
Join the Medical Parasitologists Group in the OZT Community to learn more and even interact with the educational institutions that will help you secure your dream career!
Average level of education of those entering the career:
Licenses, Certificate, Registration and Professional Associations
Certain animal careers require some form of legal certification to prove that you can indeed do the work, and work with the necessary equipment.
Certifications might be required in certain countries, and it may help workers establish their credentials and enhance their skills.
Learn more about requirements by joining the OZT Community.
Professional Associations
Where can I study further to become a Medical Parasitologist?
All of the above information will help you understand more about the Career, including the fact that there are different paths to take to reach it. But if you are almost done with High School (Grades 11 or 12), you also need to start thinking about further studies, and WHERE you will study.
See the List of Universities, Colleges and Online Training Academies who offer courses towards parasitology.
How do I start to prepare for this Career?
If you do decide on following this career, then OZT can assist you in figuring out a path to prepare, as well as help you to gain further knowledge about the career and the animals you will be working with. We do this by offering you FREE career development tools. There are almost a dozen free tools, but these are the three primary ones:
CAREER PATH PLAN
Use the career path plan above on this profile as an example to follow, or to work out your own path.
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SHORT COURSES
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STUDY GUIDE
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But, if you are still uncertain about choosing this specific career, and even where to start, then have a look at our special series of WHAT NEXT courses (link below). They take you through all of the questions you might have on how to choose the right career, what to do while at and after school, and even how to start your own business.
OR
Join the OZT community & Career Group
Join us as a special member and learn more about becoming a medical parasitologist.
Members of the Platform have special access to:
- Info on the best places where you can study (colleges, universities and online)
- Expertly designed advice to prepare you for the career, and links to places where you can gain valuable experience. For some career experience is necessary, otherwise you wont get the job!
- Top notch info on each of the different species you will work with
- Make friends around the world and share knowledge
- Compete and win points, badges, games, prizes and certificates. Be the best of the best, while you learn and prepare!
If you have decided on being a Medical Parasitologist, please click on the JOIN GROUP button. Members will be directed to the Group, while non-members will be assisted to register first.
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