If you are already working in one of the jobs in healthcare, you may have an idea of what the responsibilities of a doctor may entail. If you have not worked in the medical field before, it is important to know what your responsibilities will be before you start a medical school program.
Physicians are responsible for directing a team of medical providers in patient care. The doctor is the one who is responsible for diagnosing medical ailments as well as preparing a treatment program. This can include medicine, medical procedures necessary, and scheduling surgeries with other physicians. Depending on the type healthcare jobs category you have either selected, as a primary care, trauma surgeon, or specialized practitioner, you will be responsible for the outcome of treatment from beginning to end.
Educational requirements for all healthcare jobs are very specific. Doctors are included in the specific educational requirements. Every doctor must have at least a four-year undergraduate degree, then an additional four years of graduate school. The graduate program must be accredited, and once completed an MD (Medical Doctorate) or DO (Doctorate of Osteopathy) degree is awarded.
The degree is only the beginning for your career in doctor’s healthcare jobs. Once you have finished the eight years of school, you must go through a residency program. This is practical experience. Depending on your specialty, it can last 3-5 years, where you are under the supervision of a training physician. You may also go on for 1-3 years of Fellowship training. While working in this position, your salary will only be enough to cover living expenses, with brutal hours while you are training. Not all jobs in healthcare are this brutal, however. Once you make it through you will be earning much more.
Becoming a physician requires multiple skills. While all jobs in healthcare currently are in high demand, being a doctor takes something special. You must have an investigative, curious mind to find the answers to some health questions. Bedside manner cannot be overstated, as most healthcare jobs require you to listen to the patient and display empathy for the condition. In addition to the ability to investigate and display good manners, the doctor must also be a good communicator so that the patient and family fully understand the expectations of the doctor.
Other characteristics that are important to help the physician are the ability to think quickly, make accurate critical decisions. If the doctor wants to open an independent practice, some business knowledge is helpful.
So, if you think you have what it takes to become a doctor, aren’t intimidated by the school, and don’t mind serving time working in one of the healthcare jobs while your pursue your goal, you have a great future ahead of you. The job outlook is bright, and not only will you be pursuing a professional path with plenty of room for career advancement, but all healthcare jobs offer an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others.
As someone who works in one of the healthcare jobs, you have the opportunity to go into many different types of specialties as well. Some of the jobs include anesthesiology, family medicine, general internist, pediatrics, OB/GYN, psychiatric, surgery, just to name a few. This is not including possibilities in veterinary medicine or dental practice. The jobs in healthcare are bountiful. The road to finding your career will spell itself out once you have decided where the end goal is.
Set your goals high, work hard, and keep your focus. Remember why you fell in love with the healthcare jobs that you are working in. The lower paying jobs will be the stepping-stones as you work your way up the ladder.
