Home  >  News & Articles  >  How to Become a Medical Officer: Role and Responsibilities, Entrance Exams, Courses, Job Roles, Salary and Skills Required

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 04th August, 2023 , 7 min read

How to Become a Medical Officer: Role and Responsibilities, Entrance Exams, Courses, Job Roles, Salary and Skills Required

How to Become a Medical Officer Overview

Medical officers oversee healthcare teams and maintain the efficient operation of a healthcare institution, acting as both advisers and administrators. This can be the best job to take into consideration for individuals who are enthusiastic about giving exceptional patient care and are interested in working in the healthcare field. 

Who is a Medical Officer?

Senior doctors who oversee all facets of patient care within their departments are known as medical officers. They keep an eye on everyday activities, act as clinical consultants, and look for potential issues. They oversee clinical trials, participate in medical research projects, give an effective treatment plan, identify gaps in treatment plans, and look into any discrepancies throughout patient care. They also act as consultants on disease control and health concerns. Clinical trials and medical research programs are also under the control of medical authorities. 

Medical Officer

Quick Facts about the Medical Officers

Particulars

Details 

Industry

Medicine and Healthcare

Eligibility Criteria 

MBBS with Internship

Average Starting Salary

INR 6 LPA–8 LPA

Job Opportunities

Government and private hospitals, medical institutions, nursing homes, pharmaceutical firms, and biotech firms are all included.

Role and Responsibilities of a Medical Officer

There are several job positions that you can encounter while applying for a position as a medical officer. In both public and private healthcare institutions, popular employment responsibilities include the following-

  1. Camp doctor: These officers set up medical camps and offer free examinations and medications since rural areas may not have access to proper healthcare facilities.
  2. Duty medical officers: They keep an eye on the hospital wards and give patients the treatment they need. Throughout the day, a duty medical officer supports the employees and clients.
  3. Researchers: They are essential to identifying new illnesses' causes and bringing effective treatments to market. To understand the dangers and advantages of new treatments, these specialists plan and manage clinical studies.

Types of Medical Officers

Medical Officers are further categorized based on their work characteristics and years of relevant experience. The following table gives various sorts of Medical officers, which are listed below-

Types of Medical Officers

Description

 

Camp Doctor

Medical camps are a concept in rural areas where people may get free medications and checkups. Camp Doctors are licensed health professionals who use medication and pharmaceuticals to preserve and restore human health. Camp Doctors are responsible for patient consultations and physical examinations, as well as managing workloads, executing surgical operations, and monitoring and providing medication.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) 

The CMO gives clinical direction to members of the medical team, frequently creates economic models, and cultivates networks for therapeutic and financial collaborations. CMOs are in charge of managing their health organization's doctors in order to deliver safe, effective medical services to the public in a certain region.

 

Doctors in the Navy and Army

Being a doctor in the Navy or Army is one of the best alternatives for a medical graduate. In this discipline, there is a professional atmosphere for a doctor of the highest caliber, along with an exciting life, companionship, dignity, and self-esteem. Doctors in this discipline are selected once a year through an all-India written test followed by an interview in Pune.

 

Duty Medical Officer

They help hospital workers and patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, keep an eye on the medical wards, and make sure the patients have all they need. They also provide constant support services to meet the requirements of patients and other hospital professionals. They are also in charge of providing medical treatment to patients in the casualty and medical wards.

 

Researcher

Medical Officers can contribute to research at prestigious institutes such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in order to develop therapies for uncommon ailments. They perform critical roles in the development of novel pharmaceuticals that enhance people's lives. Their responsibilities include selecting trial participants, establishing timetables, recording each case, and adhering to tight protocols in order to fulfill legal and safety criteria.

How to Become a Medical Officer?

The following are some of the steps required to become a medical officer-

Step 1: Finish 10+2 

The first step towards becoming a medical officer is to finish 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as required subjects. Candidates must also study for entrance examinations such as NEET in order to gain admission to one of India's top-rated schools.

Step 2: Pursue an Undergraduate Degree 

After passing the entrance tests, aspirants must enroll in top medical schools. Candidates can pick from a variety of undergraduate programs, such as MBBS, BHMS, and BAMS.

Step 3: Obtain a Medical License

Candidates must apply for a medical license with the state medical council. For this, the candidate must pass an examination and complete one year of training at one of the Indian Medical Council-approved medical facilities.

Step 4: Acquire appropriate experience

Most hospitals and medical institutions demand at least two years of experience. This experience will aid in the development of critical clinical skills that will be useful in doing the job effectively.

Step 5: Pass the Test

Medical officers are essentially government workers. To become a medical officer, applicants must pass the Combined Medical Services Examination, which is administered by the Union Public Service Commission.

Are Medical Officers and Doctors the Same Thing?

A doctor is not the same as a medical officer. Doctors are healthcare professionals with medical degrees who also perform operationsarrange diagnostic tests, and write prescriptions for medication. Medical officers, on the other hand, modify their medical practice in order to supervise clinical activities in a healthcare context. A medical officer serves as a bridge between healthcare executives and doctors, rather than treating patients directly like a doctor.

Read more about How to Become a Doctor in India?

How to Become a Medical Officer in India?

As a popular career, being a medical officer necessitates dedication and hard work. Candidates must go through the stages outlined below in order to become professionals-

School Level Preparation

At the school level, a certain curriculum combination is required, which includes Mathematics, Physics, chemistry, biology, and English. To be admitted to a reputable Medical College, candidates should attempt to acquire a minimum aggregate of 60%. The majority of applicants begin their preparation with their high school boards and join coaching institutes.

How to Become a Medical Officer after 12th?

The following are some of the ways to become a medical officer after 12th-

Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the major stages that applicants must undergo in order to become Medical Officers are as follows-

  1. Candidates must take admission tests such as NEET after completing their 12th grade in physics, chemistry, and biology.
  2. It is recommended that students take lessons from top coaching institutions to prepare for NEET so that they are familiar with the exam format, curriculum, and so on.
  3. After passing the entrance exam, aspirants must enroll in one of India's top medical institutions.
  4. Candidates can pursue degrees such as MBBS, BAMS, BHMS, or BDS based on their NEET merit list. 
  5. To become a medical officer, candidates must also study for the CSME competitive exams.

Post-Graduation Preparation: Some of the major stages that applicants must undergo in order to become Medical Officers after graduation are as follows-

  1. Candidates must have a graduating grade point average of 60% or above.
  2. Candidates can prepare for postgraduate programs by taking admission tests such as the NEET PG.
  3. Candidates who pass the admission test can pursue degrees such as MD or MS.
  4. Candidates can also study short-term courses, such as diploma courses, that will assist them in registering with the state medical council.

Entrance Exams for Medical Officers 

Some of the most essential admission examinations and crucial dates are listed in the below table-

Entrance Exams 

Registration Date 

End Date 

Exam Date

IPU CET

March 4, 2023

May 31, 2023

June 18 – June 25, 2023

KEAM

1st Week of February, 2023

4th Week of February, 2023

Last Week of April, 2023

NEET

1st week of march 2023

1st week of April 2023

May 7, 2023

RPVT

First Week of March, 2023

Third Week of April, 2023

June, 2023

SUAT

Fourth week of May, 2023

Fourth Week of June, 2023

August, 2023

Medical Officer Courses

Some of the courses that applicants can take to become medical officers are listed below-

Parameters

BAMS 

(Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)

BHMS 

(Bachelor in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)

MBBS 

(Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

Duration

5.5 years

5 years and 6 months of training

Eligibility

Candidates must have a high school diploma in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Candidates must have passed the NEET test.

 

Entrance Exams 

 

NEET

NEET

KEAM

PUCET

IPU CET

 

NEET

Course Fees

INR 20,000 - 3,00,000

INR 12,000 - 2,00,000

INR 5000 - 10,00,000

Average Starting Salary

INR 4–7 LPA

INR 2.50 – 6 LPA

INR 6–8 LPA

Top Colleges

Banaras Hindu University

IMS Varanasi

KLE University

Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University

National Institute of Homeopathy

Dr. D.Y. Patil Homeopathic Medical College

Anuradha Homeopathic Medical College

AIIMS

PGIMER

National Institute of Medical Health and Neurosciences

King George’s Medical University

Salary of Medical Officers in India

The pay for medical officers varies depending on their position in the organization (experience level) and where they work, such as in clinics, hospitals, medical schools, and the Indian Army and Navy. The following table gives details about the salary of medical officers in India-

Experience Level 

Salary (INR)

Entry Level 

6.50 L

Mid Level 

8.50 L

Experienced Level

11 L

Average Salary of Different Types of Medical Officers in India

The following table gives details about the average salary of medical officers in India-

Job Roles 

Average Starting Salary (INR)

Camp Doctor

8 LPA 

Chief Medical Doctor

7 LPA

Doctors in the Navy and Army

10 LPA

Duty Medical Officer

10 LPA

Researcher

8 LPA

Skills Required to Become a Medical Officer

Every profession has certain skill requirements that must be learned in order to do the job more effectively. Some of the fundamental abilities needed to become a medical officer are listed below-

  1. Extensive expertise in maintaining medical records
  2. Knowledge of medical science's most recent breakthroughs
  3. Leadership qualities
  4. Management abilities
  5. Outstanding interpersonal abilities
  6. Understanding of human anatomy

Was this Article Helpful/Relevant or did you get what you were looking for ?

👎234

Similar Articles

JoSAA Counselling 2024

By - Avantika Bhardwaj 2024-04-25 04:22:38 , 18 min read
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities provide the finest MBBS programs for those who want to work as medical officers?

Ans. Some of the top medical schools in India include the Army College of Medical Science, AIIMS, and Calcutta National Medical College.

What kind of schooling is needed to become a medical officer?

Ans. A Bachelor's degree (MBBS) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 60% and a master's degree (MD/MS) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 55% are both necessary.

What qualifications are necessary for a Medical Officer?

Ans. MBBS degree is the qualification that is necessary for a medical officer, as is at least three years of experience working as a junior doctor.

What industries may a medical officer find work in?

Ans. The Indian Defense Service, public hospitals, medical schools, and other institutions provide job opportunities.

What is a medical officer's typical annual salary?

Ans. At the entry-level, the typical yearly wage is INR 6,50,000.

What kind of test is required to become a medical officer?

Ans. The entrance tests are the National Entrance Cumulative Eligibility Test and the UPSC Combined Medical Service for Government Organizations.

Do you need to have job experience to become a medical officer?

Ans. It is necessary to have some prior experience, such as an internship with real-world practice in the medical department, preferably as a physician, followed by a few years in a managerial post.

Similar College

Course Offered

MBA

Fees for 2 years

₹ 909000

Avg. Package

₹ 8.7 LPA

Highest Package

₹ 12 LPA

Course Offered

MBA

Fees for 2 years

₹ 909000

Avg. Package

₹ 6.0 LPA

Highest Package

₹ 7.70 LPA

Check Eligibility   Free 1:1 Counselling