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CLINICAL MEDICINE-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS CLINICAL MEDICINE AND WHO IS CLINICAL OFFICER?
Clinical medicine is a field of medicine that deals primarily with the practice and study of medicine based on the direct examination of patients. Clinical medicine gives more emphasis to the practice of healing patients directly through diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In contrast, “conventional” medicine gives as much emphasis to theoretical knowledge as it does to practical knowledge thereby providing theoretical support for clinical practice. (For more information on the latter form of medicine, view the blog on Medicine).
A clinical officer (CO) is a qualified and licensed officer providing essential generalized and specialized medical care mostly at the primary health care level. Clinical officers who complete a diploma in clinical medicine (clinical medical sciences-general) are called Clinical Officer-General (COG) whereas those that attain a degree are called medical licentiates. Medical licentiates have more advanced skills in medicine and surgery and may be deployed interchangeably with doctors. They provide clinical care in hospitals and can also perform routine surgical and obstetric operations.
WHERE DO CLINICAL OFFICERS WORK?
Clinical officers can work in clinics and hospitals at all levels of healthcare provision. COs outnumber doctors especially in the rural areas and attend to a larger proportion of patients reporting to the clinic.
Degree holders can also work as lecturers or tutors at colleges offering diplomas in health science related courses or as clinical researchers in institutions or organizations that conduct biomedical research.
A clinical officer may also work for NGOs that support health and wellness such as society for family health (SFH) Zambia.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
A typical day at work for a clinical officer involves interviewing and examining patients who come into the clinic. They do this in order to determine the health status of the individuals and to establish diagnoses upon which they can initiate or terminate treatment or therapy. They may order additional medical tests such as x-rays or blood tests to support their diagnosis and to guide them on the best course of treatment. Medical licentiates may also perform routine surgical and obstetric operations such as a caesarean section (C-section). COs also observe patients admitted to the wards and refer those with serious disease to other practitioners.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A CLINICAL OFFICER?
The work schedule of a CO depends on the place of work. In a healthcare setting, work is typically done in shifts (morning, afternoon and night). Working night duty for 7 consecutive days is followed by 7 off-days. There may be variations to this, for instance in the case of a rural clinic that only operates from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours.
Working as lecturer, clinical scientist or researcher, or with NGOs may follow the normal 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours work schedule from Monday to Friday.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
All clinical officers in Zambia are required to be registered and licensed by the health professions council of Zambia (HPCZ). The largest employer of COs in Zambia is government through the Ministry of Health which deploys them in clinics and hospitals across the country. Employment can also be sought elsewhere such as in private hospitals, mission hospitals and mine hospitals. Newly graduated COs may find it a little challenging to find work in the private sector as most private hospitals only take on clinicians who have some work experience.
SALARY RANGES AND WHAT CONTROLS IT
Salaries for COGs are around 5000zmw. This rises to 7000zmw – 8000zmw with promotions to senior positions such as senior or principle clinical officers. Salaries for medical licentiates are around 9000zmw.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
Clinical medicine is best suited to individuals who have an interest in science-based subjects, especially biology and chemistry. A clinical officer must have good communication skills in order to facilitate the patient interview. They should be compassionate and empathetic which simply means being able to understand what a patient is experiencing without themselves experiencing it. The work of a clinical officer requires someone with a good work ethic because it is quite demanding.
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WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Students in the degree program will cover A’ level natural sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in their first year of study. In the following years, courses covered include basic sciences such Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and clinical sciences such as Internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology and paediatrics.
The diploma program covers similar subjects with varying degrees of focus on the basic and clinical sciences during the period of study. Subjects covered include anatomy & physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, emergency medicine, mental health and psychiatry, internal medicine, paediatrics and child health, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Minimum entry requirements to the diploma program are a five ‘O’ level credits or better in Mathematics, Science, Biology, English and any other subject.
Minimum requirements for school leavers direct entry to the degree program are a full grade twelve school certificate with 5 credits or better, four of which must be English, Mathematics, Biology and Science. Holders of a diploma in clinical medicine or any other relevant diploma qualification may will also be admitted and may earn some exemptions.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A CLINICAL OFFICER?
Aside from the diploma or degree in clinical medicine (also called clinical medical sciences or clinical sciences), alternative qualifications are the diploma in clinical psychiatry (clinical medical sciences-psychiatry) or the BSc in Clinical Psychiatry and Mental Health. A holder of the diploma in clinical psychiatry is called a Clinical Officer-Psychiatry (COP) and is simply a clinical officer specialized in psychiatry.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Holders of the diploma can choose to upgrade to a BSc Clinical Medicine or alternatively they may pursue Advanced diplomas for instance in anaesthesia or ophthalmology. A bachelor of science degree holder can work in other roles as a clinical scientist, clinical researcher or lecturer other than just as a clinical officer. This increases the employment opportunities and gives an upper hand in the job market. The advanced diploma enables the holder to specialise in one field and to work as a medical licentiate.
References
Clinical Medicine. (2020). Retrieved from Kafue Institute of Health Sciences and Research: https://kihser.com/course-cat/clinical-medice/
Clinical Medicine. (2020). Retrieved from Biology Online: https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/clinical-medicine#:~:text=Clinical%20medicine%20is%20a%20field,and%20basics%20of%20medical%20science.
School of Medicine and Clinical Sciences. (2020). Retrieved from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University Website: http://lmmu.ac.zm/school-medicine-and-clinical-sciences
WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 PERSONALITY TRAITS NEEDED IN HEALTHCARE? (2016). Retrieved from Ameritech College of Healthcare: https://www.ameritech.edu/blog/5-personality-traits-healthcare-needs/
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER CLINICAL MEDICINE
LEVY MWANAWASA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree) / 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance learning
Admitting school: School of Medicine and Clinical Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka and Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 974 330519 / +260 953 821693
Email: info@lmmu.ac.zm
Website: www.lmmu.ac.zm/levy-mwanawasa-medical-university-fees-structure
CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Medicine
Intakes: January and June
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Email: jchikonde@cavendish.co.zm
Tel: +260 211 387600 / +260 211 387601
Website: www.cavendishza.org/admissions/fee-structure
EDEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree) / 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Health Science
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Email: edenuniversty@edenuniversity.net
Tel: +260 978 800898 / +260 977 794995
Website: www.edenuniversity.edu.zm/course-fee-structure.html
KAFUE INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND RESEARCH
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kafue
Contacts
Email: kafueihs@gmail.com
Tel: +260 971 908366
Website: www.kihser.com/clinical-officer-general-2/
CHRESO UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: Faculty of Health Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka and Ndola
Contacts
Email: info@chresouniversity.edu.zm
Tel: +260 964 725266
Website: www.chresouniversity.edu.zm/tuition-fee-schedule/
LUAPULA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND BUSINESS EDUCATION
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School Health Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Mansa
Contacts
Email: admissions@luapulasoh.com
Tel: +260 953 108572
Website: www.luapulasoh.com/page/school-of-health-sciences
NKANA COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 447390/ 0961 868690/ 0979 830165/ 0979 588189/ 0977 872947
Email: ncase.enquiries@gmail.com
Facebook: Nkana College of Applied Sciences and Education
PREMIUM SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Intakes: January and July
Location: Luanshya
Contacts
Tel: +260 966 661894/ +260 977 307779
Email: premiumschoolofhealthsciences@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +260 974 374862/ +260 977 307779
Facebook: Premium School of Health Sciences
GIDEON ROBERT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree) / 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 969 899875
Email: vc@gideonrobertuniversity.com
Website: www.gideonrobert.education/programs-2/