How to Become Medical Officer: Eligibility, Skills & Salary

To become a medical officer, earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, complete medical school (MD), obtain a medical license via exams, undergo training in a specialty, achieve board certification, and optionally pursue military training. Develop essential skills, stay updated with medical advancements, and apply for positions in hospitals, clinics, or government agencies. Learn more about how to become medical officer in the below article.

Unlike the common notion that a medical career can be either a doctor or a nurse, being a medical officer is yet another career option for medical students. However, a medical officer’s job is quite similar yet different from other medical roles. They carry out clinical jobs and manage the hospital. Plus, they also act as a link between the hospital staff and the top-tier officers. In this article, you will learn how to become medical officer.

The country’s current doctor-to-population ratio is 1:834, assuming the availability of 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors and 80% of certified allopathic doctors. The government has also taken action to improve the country’s access to doctors. The number of UG seats for MBBS has grown by 75% from 51,348 before 2014 to 89875 seats as of now.

How to become Medical Officer?

To become a medical officer, you need to pass the state or UPSC exam along with an MBBS and a few years of work experience. Over the years, there’s been a surge in the demand for MOs, mainly after COVID-19.

In this article, we’ll discuss the eligibility and education required for becoming an MO and a step-by-step plan for becoming a medical officer in India.

Medical Officer vs. Doctor

Here is what distinguishes a medical officer from a doctor:

Aspect	Medical Officer	Doctor
Qualification	Bachelor’s degree in medicine, nursing, or a related field with an internship.	An undergraduate course (MBBS, Bachelor of Surgery, or equivalent) followed by a 1-year internship or residency program.
Work Setting	Primarily in healthcare centers	Hospitals, private practice, medical centers
Responsibilities	Assess patient health, choose treatments, advise staff	Diagnosis, treatment, patient care
Employment Opportunities	Government, healthcare centers	Government, hospitals, private practice
Skills Required	Good speaking skills, ability to work under pressure, and medical and business proficiency.	Good speaking skills, ability to work under pressure, medical expertise

Types Of Medical Officers

There are many types of medical officers. The medical officer qualification, their roles and duties can vary depending on the country, or organization where they work.

Here’s a quick overview of some types of Medical Officers:

1. Public Health Medical Officer

A public health medical officer (MOH) is a physician who is responsible for protecting and promoting the health of a population. To become a public health medical officer, you typically need a medical degree (MD or DO) and a residency in public health or preventive medicine. Some MOHs also have a master’s degree in public health (MPH).

2. Medical Officer of Health

A medical officer of health (MOH) is a physician who is responsible for protecting and promoting the health of a population. MOHs work to develop and implement public health policies that promote the health of the population. This includes working with government officials, other health professionals, and the public to develop consensus on public health goals and priorities.

3. Medical Research Officer

A medical research officer (MRO) is a healthcare professional who is responsible for conducting and managing medical research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical scientists, which includes MROs, will grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations due to the increasing demand for medical research to develop new treatments and cures for diseases.

4. Medical Review Officer

An MO works in the field of medicine and notices and makes out medical data related to workplace drug testing and substance abuse programs. MROs may review medical records, interview the individual who tested positive, and consider other factors to determine if there is a legitimate medical explanation for the positive drug test.

5. Medical Officer in the Armed Forces

Medical officers in the armed forces are responsible for providing preventive care, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, and conducting research. They also play a role in training other medical personnel and in developing medical policies.

6. Medical Officers in Hospitals

Medical officers in hospitals are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, ordering and interpreting tests, and prescribing medications. They also play a role in educating patients about their health and in coordinating their care with other healthcare providers.

These are just a few types of medical officers. The roles and duties of a medical officer can vary greatly depending on their study and the place or industry they’re working at.

Also Read: Paramedical Courses: Programs, Opportunities, and Career Paths

Steps on How to Become a Medical Officer in India

Becoming a medical officer requires a good amount of study and training. One also needs a license and certificate. Here are the steps required for becoming a medical officer in detail:

1. Attain the Medical Officer Qualification

To become a medical officer in India, you must meet the medical officer qualification eligibility criteria:

• Complete your 10+2 with science as the main subject.
• Appear for and clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

In this way, they can gain entry to a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, a five-and-a-half-year course.

2. Specialize in a Field

After completing MBBS, you can choose a specialized field of medicine. You can pursue a PG degree, such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Master of Surgery (MS). This process can take between three and six years. It depends on the field of study.

3. Licensure and Certification

To practice medicine, you must obtain a license from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or your state medical council. They must also complete a 1-year internship program in a hospital or clinic. Then, they can apply for their license. Plus, they can also choose to obtain certificates from medical entities to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Thus, becoming a medical officer in India requires high education and training but can lead to a rewarding career in the healthcare field.

Also Read: Best Career Opportunities & Courses after BAMS

Courses to Pursue to Become a Medical Officer

Here are a few courses you can pursue to become a medical officer:

Courses	BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).	BHMS (Bachelor in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery).	MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery).
Course Time	5.5 years	5.5 years	5 years with 6 months of training.
Eligibility	You must have completed class 12th in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and cleared the NEET exam.	You must have completed class 12th in PCB and cleared the NEET entrance exam.	National Institute of Homeopathy Dr D Y Patil Homeopathic Medical College Anuradha Homeopathic Medical College
Entrance Exams	NEET	NEET, KEAM, PUCET, IPU CET	NEET
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 National Institute of Medical Health & Neuro Sciences. PGIMER King George’s Medical University
Course Fees (average)	INR 20,000 – 3,00,000.	INR 12,000 – 2,00,000.	INR 5000 – 10,00,000.

Also Read: BDS Course: Your Path to Become a Dentist

Average Medical Officer Salary

The average medical officer salary (CMO) in a hospital in India depends on multiple factors. These include your experience, place of work, and the entity you work for. Data suggests that the average salary is Rs. 6.7 lakhs per annum.

Given below is a detailed list of the chief medical officer salary in India across experience levels:

Levels	Approx. Salary (in Rs./annum).
Freshers	Rs. 6.5 lakhs per annum.
Mid-level	Rs. 8.5 lakhs per annum.
Experienced/Senior-Level	Rs. 11 lakhs per annum.

Must-Have Skills to Become a Medical Officer

Becoming a medical officer requires good academic knowledge with practical and various social skills. Here are some must-have skills to become a medical officer:

1. Medical Knowledge

A medical officer must have a strong knowledge of medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology.

2. Clinical Skills

Must possess clinical skills to detect and treat patients, assess diagnostic tests, prescribe medicines, and perform medical actions.

3. Communication Skills

Good communication is a must for a medical officer to explain medical conditions, treatments, and processes to patients and their families.

4. Attention to Detail

A medical officer must notice the finer details to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.

5. Interpersonal Skills

Medical officers work as a team. You must have very good social skills to work in a group with other MOs and staff.

6. Empathy

Compassion and empathy are must-have traits for medical officers. They frequently work with patients who are going through a difficult moment.

7. Leadership and Teamwork

Medical officers often work as part of a healthcare team. As a result, the ability to lead and collaborate effectively with others is essential.

These are just a few examples of different specializations for medical officers. They can also specialize in fields including pulmonology, rheumatology, and urology.

Related Read: Best Medical Colleges in the World for Aspiring Doctors

Key Takeaways

A medical officer is a healthcare professional with a medical degree. They are often responsible for overseeing district, state, or national public health policies and programs.

To become a medical officer in India, one must first complete a higher secondary education with science as a major subject. Then, to be admitted to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum, the National Eligibility Cumulative Entrance Test (NEET) must be passed.

After completing their MBBS, candidates can choose to specialize in a particular field of medicine. They can pursue a postgraduate degree such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Master of Surgery (MS).

To practice medicine in India, candidates must obtain a license from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the respective state medical council. Then one must complete a mandatory one-year internship program in a hospital or clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions