Jobs for Foreign Medical Graduates Without USMLE in the USA
Many foreign medical graduates who wish to work in the USA may require the USMLE to do so. This looks like a constraint because to some, it is not possible, while to others, it takes connections. Well, the good news is that there are jobs for foreign medical graduates without the USMLE in the USA. Before diving into these jobs, what is the role of the USMLE in the United States?
The USMLE Exam Board is in charge of designing USMLE examination materials and equipment. Doctors without a residency permission or license frequently feel blocked and unable to find work. This is because traditional medicine offers few professional options without a residency or license.
However, job opportunities for someone with an MD or DO degree are plentiful, but many doctors have little experience outside of medicine and are uninformed of their options.
Follow me slowly and carefully as I show you the various jobs you may do without acquiring the USMLE:
Is the USMLE required for Residency?
Most residency programs require the USMLE Step 1 to conduct interviews. Therefore, unless you pass USMLE Step 2, you should start with Step 1.
The application process can’t begin until the student has finished at least two years of medical school. To become a licensed physician in the United States, you must complete a residency program.
Read Also: Top 10 Recruiting Companies in the USA
Jobs for Foreign Medical Graduates Without USMLE in the USA
1. Teaching
You studied medicine and have a doctorate. Most universities require that you be able to teach. You might believe that you need several years of expertise to secure a teaching job, yet most college professors have no formal training other than the information gained in their specialty.
However, most university teaching positions may necessitate printing or post-doctoral work, and tiny universities or community colleges require more relaxation than education.
Many states require teacher certification while instructing children under the age of 18, but not all.
As a physician, you must instruct medical students per the General Medical Council’s training criteria.
These include lowering stress, promoting questioning, self-blaming students, developing knowledge, abilities, and attitudes, and employing teaching and learning approaches to embed learning perspectives and research findings.
This guidance implies that, as a doctor, you should be knowledgeable about teaching methods and topics such as learning theories.
However, how many physicians have the time or interest to investigate their teaching methods is uncertain.
Medical students do not know how to educate, but they quickly learn that it will be one of their professions after graduation.
This is supported by the fact that all employment applicants list some teaching experience. Teaching is a responsibility, but it is also essential for professional growth.
Academic salaries range from $50,000 at the entry level to the low six figures with tenure at the university level.
Teaching is one of the most common careers for doctors who do not have the USMLE and is growing rapidly around the world.
2. Genetics Counsellor
The function of the geneticist or genetic counselor is to advise patients and families on the benefits and drawbacks of genetic testing, as well as to assist them in interpreting the test results.
There is no one-time genetic support because diagnosis (and counseling) might occur at any stage of life.
Patients who are undergoing in vitro fertilization or cancer treatment, or discovering a family member has a hereditary disease, frequently seek genetic counseling.
Geneticists must comprehend the underlying disorders of genes, such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and sickle cell anemia.
Geneticists must also communicate their findings to patients in straightforward terms. This expertise is learned in a legitimate medical school.
To operate as a genetic counselor, you may need further genetics training; in some cases, you must be a licensed geneticist.
The typical compensation for a genetic counselor ranges from $60,000 to $80,000, depending on qualifications.
3. Medical Writing
Medical writing is a valuable job. Every day, health writers report, publish, and share information and research that helps save lives.
A medical writer’s tasks and prospects are continuously changing, whether they are writing assessed articles on patient studies, bringing high-quality equipment to market, training health professionals or even the general public about novel treatments, or writing research reports.
Medical writing entails advertising and creating digital articles or items relating to medicine or healthcare.
A medical writer’s job necessitates written and scientific expertise that blends the author’s creative skills with a thorough understanding of research and scientific processes.
With continued development and advances in medicine and healthcare, there is an increasing need to share research findings, goods, devices, and services.
There is a high demand for medical writers to deliver current information to healthcare professionals and the general public.
Depending on their function and responsibilities, medical writers are involved in the dissemination of scientific and clinical knowledge to a wide range of people, including physicians, nurses, insurance professionals, and patients.
They produce a variety of media formats, including traditional electronic periodicals, videos, podcasts, the web, and social media.
Medical writers frequently work with physicians, researchers, and other experts to generate publications that inform research findings, product use, and other health information.
They also ensure that documents follow rules, publications, or other requirements for content, structure, and format.
Medical writers may occasionally collaborate with freelance writers or companies, such as pharmaceutical companies and websites.
4. Clinical Research Associate.
A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is a medical or life sciences professional who manages patient studies on behalf of pharmaceutical corporations, medical research institutes, and governments.
They are sometimes referred to as “clinical investigators or test investigators.”
Clinic Research Physicians (CRP) perform clinical studies to identify the most effective treatment alternatives for local doctors and patients. Their responsibilities include monitoring patient surveys, doing health safety calculations, and enhancing communication with pharmacists.
CRPs also help to promote regulatory papers in the pharmaceutical industry. Depending on your function, you may also collaborate closely with the sales and marketing team, which sells health goods and develops new items.
Clinical trial offices oversee clinical studies and fly across the country to medical trial sites to ensure that researchers follow the study protocol appropriately.
They can also help to strengthen immunization efforts and ensure that patients who participate are eligible for research.
In addition, the credit rating agency assists in recruiting new experimental investigators, collecting IRB documentation, and verifying the accuracy of subsequent clinical trial data.
The job market at the rating agency is hot and booming, but the downturn is a major tourist attraction.
Salaries range between $55,000 and $75,000 per year.
5. Public health analyst or epidemiologist
Public health analysts investigate diverse public health issues, like environmental dangers or hand abuse, and provide solutions.
They also use data to develop presentations, reports, and contributions for certain businesses or governments.
The CDC uses public health literature and Indian health to inform think tanks like IMPAQ and consultancy firms like Booz Allen Hamilton.
Epidemiologists investigate human disease models to discover the best ways to deliver public health care and combat biohazards.
They do extensive investigations to determine the qualities and characteristics of an illness or health concern to avert unwanted consequences.
Epidemiologists perform a variety of tasks in research settings, including managing medical and technical workers.
The median income for a public health analyst is around $65,000.
6. Medical Spa
Do you enjoy enhancing people’s appearance? If you do, you can run a medical spa, which is one of the most exciting careers for doctors without a USMLE.
Though you will need permission to write BOTOX, there is no need for residence or a warranty. Of course, training is required, but you can prepare yourself in non-surgical ways for certain courses and training offered by pharmaceutical businesses.
It would be beneficial if you ensured that your medical abilities are appropriate, but after you have entered the profession, you can begin seeing patients.
The cost of running a clinic is difficult to anticipate because it depends on the location, number, and type of services.
Medical facilities, also known as mediation or coordination, try to combine many medical procedures typically performed in a physician’s office with the experience of day-to-day changes.
Age-related treatments will receive special consideration. Nonsurgical preventative treatments that were previously only available at doctors’ offices can now be provided in healthcare institutions.
However, some authorities demand that a specialist own and operate healthcare facilities. Net rainfall is thought to be medicinal, since it can remove or improve metabolism, aid in weight reduction, and help with cancer recovery.
Sports therapy may involve changes to skincare products and methods for treating wrinkles, soft spots, sunburn, rashes, hair loss, and other skin aging issues.
Laser removal, as well as treatments for veins, ulcers, and stretch marks, are widely available.
7. Pharmacological Research
This focuses on pharmaceutical research, development, review, approval, and monitoring, as well as health-related marketing.
Pharmacists operate in a variety of settings, including regulators, pharmaceutical firms, and research groups.
Working at a pharmacy allows you to interact with doctors, learn about drug safety and monitoring, and deal with licensing difficulties.
Each of them necessitates distinct skills, but the quality of care fulfills the educational requirements of each.
Health safety investigates the effects of clinical trials on previously used pharmaceuticals in order to detect changes and assess whether the drug is relevant.
Regulatory difficulties include collecting and transporting contractual and government contracts. Salaries can range from $50,000 to six figures, depending on experience and length of employment.
8. Medical Science Liaison
These are home-based occupations where you work for pharmaceutical corporations and maintain contacts with doctors who are experts in their fields.
Medical Science Liaisons are social networks that bring together renowned doctors to supply pharmaceutical firms with insights into doctors’ perspectives on a specific product, as well as scientific knowledge on medical groups.
They serve as a liaison between pharmaceutical and medical device producers and the rest of the medical community.
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) focuses on medicine, biotechnology, medical devices, and allied health services. They specialize in a certain type of treatment or disease state (e.g., cancer, heart, stomach, infectious diseases, rheumatology).
MSLs develop relationships with top physicians, researchers, and physicians who are recognized as major leaders in their fields, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and others.
Jobs for Foreign Medical Graduates Without USMLE in USA – Salary Scale
| Job Position | Education Required | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Bachelor’s degree + medical background | $51,791 – $91,885 | $25 – $44 | $70,886 |
| Medical Writer | Advanced degree + medical knowledge | $65,000 – $120,000 | $31 – $58 | $86,252 |
| Clinical Research Manager | Bachelor’s/Master’s + experience | $75,000 – $130,000 | $36 – $63 | $96,504 |
| Healthcare Administrator | Bachelor’s/Master’s in healthcare admin | $55,000 – $95,000 | $26 – $46 | $75,000 |
| Medical Science Liaison | Advanced degree (MD preferred) | $120,000 – $180,000 | $58 – $87 | $150,000 |
| Clinical Data Manager | Bachelor’s degree + clinical experience | $65,000 – $95,000 | $31 – $46 | $80,000 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Bachelor’s/Master’s + regulatory knowledge | $70,000 – $110,000 | $34 – $53 | $90,000 |
| Medical Affairs Manager | Advanced degree + pharmaceutical experience | $110,000 – $160,000 | $53 – $77 | $135,000 |
| Clinical Trial Monitor | Bachelor’s degree + clinical research experience | $60,000 – $85,000 | $29 – $41 | $72,500 |
| Biostatistician | Statistics degree + medical knowledge | $75,000 – $120,000 | $36 – $58 | $97,500 |
| Medical Information Specialist | Pharmacy/Medical degree | $85,000 – $125,000 | $41 – $60 | $105,000 |
| Clinical Informatics Specialist | Medical degree + IT knowledge | $90,000 – $140,000 | $43 – $67 | $115,000 |
| Medical Device Specialist | Medical background + technical knowledge | $75,000 – $110,000 | $36 – $53 | $92,500 |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | Bachelor’s degree + medical knowledge | $60,000 – $120,000 | $29 – $58 | $90,000 |
| Medical Coding Specialist | Medical coding certification | $40,000 – $65,000 | $19 – $31 | $52,500 |
| Healthcare Consultant | Advanced degree + consulting experience | $80,000 – $150,000 | $38 – $72 | $115,000 |
| Medical Assistant | Certificate program | $32,000 – $48,000 | $15 – $23 | $40,000 |
| Health Services Manager | Bachelor’s/Master’s in health administration | $70,000 – $120,000 | $34 – $58 | $95,000 |
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Clinical Research Coordinator | Medical Writer | Healthcare Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,000 – $55,000 | $55,000 – $70,000 | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Mid-Level (3-5 years) | $55,000 – $75,000 | $70,000 – $95,000 | $65,000 – $85,000 |
| Senior Level (5+ years) | $75,000 – $95,000 | $95,000 – $130,000 | $85,000 – $110,000 |
Top Paying States for FMGs
| State | Clinical Research Coordinator | Medical Writer | Healthcare Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $75,000 – $95,000 | $95,000 – $130,000 | $85,000 – $110,000 |
| New York | $70,000 – $90,000 | $90,000 – $125,000 | $80,000 – $105,000 |
| Massachusetts | $68,000 – $88,000 | $88,000 – $120,000 | $78,000 – $100,000 |
| New Jersey | $65,000 – $85,000 | $85,000 – $115,000 | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Texas | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $110,000 | $70,000 – $90,000 |
Industry Variations
| Industry Sector | Average Salary Premium |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Companies | +15-25% above base |
| Biotechnology | +20-30% above base |
| CROs (Contract Research Organizations) | Base salary range |
| Academic Medical Centers | -10-15% below base |
| Government/Non-profit | -15-20% below base |
FAQs about Jobs for Doctors Without USMLE.
What does USMLE stand for?
The aim of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program is to provide leadership in the development, delivery, and ongoing improvement of high-quality assessments along the physician preparation continuum for practice in the United States.
Can someone become a doctor without taking the USMLE?
To obtain a medical license in the United States, doctors must pass all four portions of the United States Medical Licensing Exam® (USMLE). Students and doctors from countries other than the United States take the same exam. They are graded in the same manner as students and doctors educated in the United States.
What countries accept the USMLE?
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Australia
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Ireland
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Israel
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United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
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New Zealand, and more.
Does Canada accept USMLE?
No
Conclusion
These jobs for foreign medical graduates without a USMLE in the USA are well-known and lucrative; nevertheless, simply having an MD or a DO after your name does not preclude you from working in other practices.
You are a doctor with adequate training to apply for practically any job you see. It is not only a concern for doctors. Instead of thinking clinically or non-clinically, consider your abilities and preferences. I hope this helps you.