How to Become a Clinical Ethicist

A clinical ethicist is someone who offers guidance to patients, their families, and professional staff on ethical, legal and policy issues and concerns that stem from dealings between health care professionals and patients.

Most people think clinical ethics only apply to controversial topics like assisted suicide, cloning, and stem cell research.

But health professionals deal with other ethical questions every day, and clinical ethicists are needed to offer perspective on these vague issues.

A clinical ethicist believes that, even when issues are difficult to understand and emotions are running high, physicians and nurses, patients and families can come together in a constructive way to identify, analyze and resolve many of the ethical problems that arise in clinical medicine.

Clinical ethicists work as consultants as part of an ethics committee or review board, and are familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures.

Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years).

Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Requisite Exam) or LSAT (Law School Admission Test).

Complete Graduate School (2 - 7 Years).

Clinical ethicists are experts in ethical issues arising in a clinical context, usually hospitals.

Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the country which has had a part-time clinical ethicist.

Typically, they hold a PhD or at least a Master’s in medical ethics or a related discipline, and have some experience of working in a clinical environment.

The Clinical Ethics Service, within the Quality and Healthcare Improvement (QHI) team, plays an essential role in supporting the practice of ethical health care in Alberta Health Services (AHS) and provides mentoring, coaching and inspiration to others to build a positive moral climate throughout the organization.

As the Clinical Ethicist for the Central Zone of AHS, you will provide support in addressing, analyzing and resolving complex ethical issues arising in the planning and delivery of health care.

Clinical Ethicists are required to make the hard decisions in health care regarding everything from experimental treatments to insurance claims to assisted suicide.

Clinical Ethicists must have the ability to clearly communicate their views and remain calm during emotional and heated debates.

Clinical Ethicists must become comfortable with the idea that there are going to be other healthcare professionals and advisors who disagree with the recommended decision.

This means Clinical Ethicists need to be ready to make ethical decisions and understand how it might be impacted by the use of new technology in the industry.

Another part of a Clinical Ethicist's role is to evaluate whether or not a patient can actually understand what the healthcare professional is explaining them, and whether they actually have enough knowledge or understanding to evaluate the different options they have and move forward with one.