A nephrologist is a physician who studies, diagnoses and treats illness or disease related to the kidneys.
Educational Requirements
Necessary education to become a nephrologist includes a medical doctoral degree, completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) internal medicine residency program and at least two years of professional experience working with patients.
Certification
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) requires internal medicine certification to pursue certification in nephrology.
Nephrology Certification
A two- to three-year fellowship in nephrology and an additional exam through the through the ABIM is required to be certified in the neophrology specialty.
Responsibilities
Diagnosing and treating kidney-related illness or disease includes evaluating patients, performing kidney transplantation and administering dialysis treatments.
Average Salary
Indeed.com lists an average national salary of $146,000 per year for this occupation in January 2010.
