Allergists and Immunologists
O*NET files this work under Allergists and Immunologists: people who diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system. On the six-type interest model it reads ISR, meaning research, analysis and working through hard problems comes first, followed by helping, teaching or caring for people. The preparation level is extensive preparation, typically graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. O*NET’s skill data points to reading comprehension, writing, and judgment and decision making as the ones to build. You may also need to diagnose or treat allergic or immunologic conditions. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.
What they do
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Main tasks
- Diagnose or treat allergic or immunologic conditions.
- Educate patients about diagnoses, prognoses, or treatments.
- Order or perform diagnostic tests such as skin pricks and intradermal, patch, or delayed hypersensitivity tests.
- Prescribe medication such as antihistamines, antibiotics, and nasal, oral, topical, or inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
- Interpret diagnostic test results to make appropriate differential diagnoses.
- Document patients' medical histories.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You get energy from helping other people move forward.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and writing.
May not suit you if
- You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
- You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.9 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ISR takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Post-Doctoral Training. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Adult and Pediatric Allergy Partner
- Allergist
- Allergy and Immunology Physician
- Allergy and Immunology Specialist
- Allergy Physician
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.