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Who is a Toxicologist?
All things are poison and nothing is without poison, only the dose permits something not to be poisonous and that is determined by a toxicologist ~ Anonymous
A toxicologist is a scientific professional who is an expert in studying the chemicals and toxins effects on humans, animals, and the environment. He or she makes sure that all chemicals and other substances that humans come in contact with by consuming any product or using it are safe from any sort of harmful effects.
The majority of the work of a toxicologist is in the laboratory and is required to conduct field studies to understand more clearly the effects of toxic materials. He or she also participates in controlled experiments to evaluate the safety of chemicals, produce reports and present the research findings.
Quick Facts for Toxicologist
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Industry
Technology
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a toxicologist is suitable for every gender. It does not matter which gender one belongs to when becoming a toxicologist. Being a toxicologist is one of the most exciting and non-conventional professions where an individual’s gender is insignificant.
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Any special needs
No
When it comes to a career as a toxicologist, it is better to be physically fit for a better and more efficient way of working. However, there is no hard and fast rule that it is compulsory to be physically fit. As long as the disability does not come in the way of one’s work, he or she is good to go for this field.
Table of Contents for Toxicologist
What is the role of Toxicologist?
The important role of a Toxicologist is to reduce the risks of toxins by developing possible strategies and investigating toxic materials or substances. An individual in this career uses analytical and scientific techniques to identify toxins such as chemicals, biological substances, and radiation, and to assess the potential risks and harmful effects posed by them.
A Toxicologist roles and responsibilities include analysing and interpreting data, conducting field studies, and writing reports, reviews and papers. He or she is also responsible for collaborating with experts, researchers, and scientific and technical staff. A Toxicologist supervises the staff, manages the laboratory operations and recommends the safe exposure limits guidelines.
Collection
A toxicologist gathers and prepares samples of harmful substances for testing and analysis. He or she may dissect dead animals and examine organs for signs of toxic materials. The toxicologist takes tissue and blood samples from living animals for microscopic investigation. To gather details on toxin's effects on living tissues, toxicologists apply cosmetics or other substances to the skin and report inflammation, irritation or other abnormal responses.
Research work
To understand how toxins affect people and animals, toxicologists conduct research. They design studies on toxicological properties and perform laboratory analysis on samples to observe cellular, biochemical and molecular responses to toxins. Once they have identified harmful compounds, toxicologists research treatments for toxic exposure to protect public health as well as animals.
Experimentation
A toxicologist designs, plans, and experiments to see the test effect of toxins. He or she carries out many trials to investigate toxic materials and their effect on the environment and living beings. A toxicologist identifies the characteristics of toxins and evaluate their properties. He or she uses scientific equipment and analytical techniques to assess the effects of toxins.
Assessment
A toxicologist assesses various toxic materials to interpret their long-term impact on animals, humans, and other living beings. He or she interprets data after assessing and identifying toxins to reach conclusions and prepare reports for documentation. A toxicologist carries out different assessments to analyse the long-term impact of the toxic substances on all living beings.
Providing information
In some cases, the criminals use several toxic drugs or poison to murder the victim, and a toxicologist carries out the investigation and provides the evidence in documented reports in court proceedings. In certain cases, a toxicologist has to appear in court proceedings to provide evidence in a documented report.
Advisory
A toxicologist is responsible for advising people on the safe handling of toxic substances. He or she also advises on methods of minimising the effects of toxic substances. The toxicologist prescribes the methods of safe use of toxins or drugs that could turn harmful for patients for long-term intake of dosage.
A toxicologist treats patients who have come in direct contact with toxic substances. He or she prescribes the methods to his or her family members to neutralise the effect of the toxin on time.
Types of a Toxicologist
There are several types of toxicologists. We have provided below the related toxicologist career options with their job descriptions.
Analytical Toxicologist: Analytical toxicologists assist in the diagnosis, management, prognosis, and prevention of poisoning. Using several different techniques they analyse complex patient samples such as body fluids. Analytical toxicologists evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic use of investigations and their results. They implement new tests or change existing tests to allow new medicines or other substances to be added.
Veterinary Toxicologist: A veterinary toxicologist specialises in veterinary toxicology who assists with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of effects of natural and man-made chemicals, forms of energy, and gasses in the animal kingdom. He or she collects body tissue, faeces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis and detects and determines the nature of diseases or injuries.
Forensic Scientist: A forensic scientist specialises in forensic toxicology. To classify any medications or contaminants found in the body, forensic toxicologists conduct analytical testing on body fluids and tissue samples. A forensic scientist can detect and classify any chemicals in the body that would have initially caused such as alcohol, as part of a group investigating a crime.
Clinical Toxicologist: Clinical toxicologists operate in hospitals and have strong connections to the departments of clinical pharmacology institutions. They can interpret the results of the analyses of the poisoned patient. Clinical toxicologists analyse the patients for toxic substances such as drugs, toxins or other poisoning substances.
Chemist: A chemist is a research professional who studies and analyses the properties and physical and chemical structures of various molecules and compounds. He or she utilises his or her knowledge and develops new products or compounds by modifying the existing properties and chemical structure of various molecular compounds.
Biochemist: Biochemists are biologists and chemists who study the principles of both the sciences and apply them in their field of study. Biochemist education requirements involve studying the chemical and physical principles of living things and biological processes such as cell development, growth, heredity, and disease. Biochemists study the DNA, heredity and cell development.
Also Read: Career as a botanist
What is the workplace/work environment of Toxicologist like?
Toxicologists can work in a lab or an office environment. They work full-time during regular business hours and may work overtime during busy periods. Additionally, toxicologists may also be required to work during nights or weekends when conducting lengthy tests.
Does Toxicologist require travelling?
Not Likely
Toxicologists work in the office or laboratory, with regular nine hours shifts. However, if an individual works as an occupational toxicologist, he or she might be required to travel to different workplaces to carry out risk assessments.
Time Pressure
Likely
Time pressure is considered moderate in the career of toxicologists. Most toxicologists put in 50 to 60 hours a week. Individuals working in the medical profession usually are not exposed to unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Working overtime is quite common in a career as a toxicologist. They are required to stay for long hours and finish daily assessments which involve paperwork. Apart from this, they might be required to work on weekends if the situation demands.
How to become a Toxicologist?
Steps to become a Toxicologist
A toxicologist is a scientific professional who is an expert in studying the chemicals and toxins effects on humans, animals, and the environment. If you are interested in biology and chemistry and are curious to study chemicals and toxic substances then this career is the best option for you. Below we have guided you on how to become a toxicologist after 12th.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Toxicologist?
In this section, we have discussed some of the most required toxicologist skills that an individual must possess to excel in the industry.
Sense of Urgency: Individuals in the toxicologist career need to create a sense of urgency in the business by helping the staff see the need for change by taking advantage of the presented opportunities or by dealing with any issue that is holding them back.
Interpersonal Management: Cooperation is the process of working with groups or teams for a common mutual benefit as opposed to working in competition or for selfish ambition. Individuals in the toxicologist career should learn the art of creating a mutually beneficial exchange among the employees that dwells much on cooperation for the same mutual benefit with adequate resources for all to use rather than creating a spirit of competition.
Stress Tolerance: Handling Stress is the skill to balance the requirements of the job and your abilities or available resources in performing it. A Toxicologist needs to creatively learn how to schedule work according to the abilities of different individuals to ensure a balance that will not put an unsustainable level of pressure on the employees and cause them to accumulate work-related stress.
Giving Feedback: Giving feedback is one of the most powerful tools to develop employees and improve performance through honest feedback on the work done best and areas that need improvement. A Toxicologist should be skilled in giving out both praise and criticism in a wise way to occasionally show workers where they need to improve and provide them with an observer's insight into the progress of their performance.
Practical Thinking: Practical Thinking is the skill to think creatively about projects or work that requires your full attention to be completed and to bring great results. Toxicologists must ensure the decisions they make are well sought after using professional characteristics for employees with high-level responsibilities to feel included and to allow growth for everyone.
Research Skills: Individuals in toxicologist jobs, ought to stay up to date on the latest trends in hiring, leading, retention, technology and more by using the newest research methods that allow them to make better decisions and improve productivity.
Self-Discipline: Self-discipline and a sense of duty is an active effort that helps in developing set ways for your thoughts, actions, and habits empowering you to stick to your decisions. Toxicologists need to learn the secret of fostering the development of self-discipline amongst employees by clearly defining the expectations, staying in sync with work-related events and propagating results yielding ideas that employees suggest.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Toxicologist?
Individuals may enrol themselves in the certification courses mentioned below to upgrade their skills and knowledge for a career in toxicology.
Internship Availability
It is always important to pursue an internship to gain practical or hands-on experience. By working in a related company or an organisation, you will get real-world work experience that provides you with more confidence in the industry and answers several questions relevant to how to become a toxicologist in India.
As a toxicologist intern, you will begin working with more experienced professionals in local, state, and central government crime labs and advance your career through years of hands-on experience. Therefore pursuing an internship is beneficial.
Also Read: Career as a Pharmacist
Toxicologist Jobs and Salaries
Junior Toxicologist
Job Description
The junior Toxicologist job description includes studying the effects of chemicals and toxins on living organisms. He or she is responsible for evaluating and assessing the risks related to various chemicals, pollutants, drugs, and pesticides.
Salary Description
The average salary for a Toxicologist is Rs 9,63,496 per year in India. However, the salary of a Toxicologist depends on various job factors such as location, employer, skills, knowledge and experience of an individual.
(Source: Glassdoor)
Senior Toxicologist
Job Description
The Senior Toxicologist's job description includes researching to study the effects of chemicals and toxins on living organisms and coordinating the studies to provide documented scientific support, and direction for biological evaluation of medical devices and materials. He or she also establishes partnerships to solve public health threats from environmental contaminants.
What is the job outlook for Toxicologist?
Toxicologists in India have a huge scope and demand and they are required in almost every field. It is said to be the most rewarding and lucrative career as a Toxicologist can work in various fields such as food, pharmaceutical, teaching, biotechnology, and research. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are the largest employers of toxicologists.
Pharmacovigilance (monitoring and preventing harmful effects of medicines), which is gaining prominence in India, is expected to absorb more toxicologists. Therefore, there is always high demand and growth opportunities for a toxicologist not only in India but around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions for Toxicologist
Que. Is a toxicologist a doctor?
Ans.Medical toxicology is officially recognised as a medical subspecialty by the Board of Medical Specialties. Its practitioners are physicians, whose primary specialisation is generally in emergency medicine, occupational medicine, or paediatrics.
Que. What do toxicologists study?
Ans.Toxicologists study the safety and biological effects of drugs, chemicals, agents, and other substances on living organisms. They develop methods to determine harmful effects, the dosages that cause those effects, and safe exposure limits.
Que. Why do toxicologists take weeks?
Ans.The confirmatory tests can take days or weeks if they have to be repeated. To confirm that a person has a type of drug in his or her body, the drug has to be separated from the blood or tissue.
Que. What is post mortem toxicology?
Ans.Postmortem toxicology is the study of the presence, distribution, and quantification of a xenobiotic after death. This information is used to account for the physiologic effects of a xenobiotic at the time of death through its quantification and distribution in the body at the time of autopsy.
Que. What is the importance of toxicology?
Ans.An important role of toxicology is to identify the effects or sets of effects to prevent irreversible or debilitating diseases. One important part of this task is the identification of the organ first or most affected by a toxic agent, this organ is defined as the “target organ”.
Que. What are the top colleges to pursue toxicology?
Ans.The top toxicology colleges are Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Rajpura, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh.
Que. How long does it take to be a toxicologist?
Ans.To become a toxicologist, it can take up to ten years of work experience. Those with a BS degree need seven years of experience, those with a master's degree need three years of experience and doctoral degree holders need only three years of experience.
Que. What is the qualification for toxicologist?
Ans.To become a toxicologist, you will be required to have a science stream in your 10+2 and opt for a Botany, Chemistry, Zoology, Medicine, Toxicology, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental biology or related field.
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Questions related to Toxicologist
I want to be a forensic toxicologist, which course and college should I opt for after 12th? I would also like to know its scope and salary in India, how many years will it take to complete the education and what are the qualifications required?
Hi,
I hope you are doing well.
Below I would be sharing a link which will provide you with the absolutely complete information which is framed In a wonderful way, with lots of important data and information regarding this course, colleges, scope, salaries, etc.
Kindly refer the below link and get all the information needed at one place.
https://www.careers360.com/careers/toxicologist
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All the very best.
Answer laterwhat are the ways present after pharm d
If you talk about scope or courses after completing pharm d, you can look out for many options such as M.pharm, PhD, MS, MPH, MBA HCS, etc.,
You can also apply for jobs such as drug inspector, private sector jobs, government jobs, mainly in health care areas, etc.,
The link given below will help you with more information -
https://www.google.com/amp/s/pharmacy.careers360.com/articles/what-after-pharm-d/amp
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
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Did you know?
Fact 1
Forensic toxicologists are hired to test for drugs in the workplace.
Fact 2
Egyptian queen Cleopatra also experimented with poisons, determining the dosages and effects of many toxins.
Fact 3
Many chemicals that we call poisons are only toxic when made into different chemicals by the body.
Fact 4
There are tens of thousands of natural toxins and not all toxic materials are fatal.
