Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Physician
Job description
The physician or doctor is primarily responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, and teaching patients how to improve health habits. A physician may specialize, conduct research, do administrative work, teach, or do a combination of any of these.
Activities may include
●
examine patients using all types of medical equipment, instruments, and tests
●
order or perform various tests, analyses, and x-rays to provide information on a patient's condition
●
diagnose patient's condition based on exams, tests, reports
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prescribe and administer drugs and treatments
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vaccinate patients to immunize against communicable disease
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provide prenatal/postnatal care to pregnant women and deliver babies
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perform surgery and related procedures
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instruct individuals and organizations in ways to preserve health and prevent disease
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conduct research to aid in the control/ cure of disease
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develop and test new medical techniques
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investigate new drugs and medications
●
report births, deaths, and the outbreak of contagious disease to government authorities
Specialties
Osteopathic Physicians diagnose, prescribe medication, and treat diseases of the human body relying on accepted medical/surgical procedures, and when deemed beneficial, on manipulative therapy; osteopathic physicians differ from other medical doctors in that their education puts added emphasis on prevention, primary care and the role played by the musculoskeletal system and manipulative therapy.
General Practitioners practice in all areas of medicine and surgery; refers complex medical problems to specialists.
Surgeons perform operations to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent disease, and improve functions in patients.
Obstetricians & Gynecologists specialize in the care and treatment of women during and immediately following pregnancy, and in treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs.
Anesthesiologists administer anesthetic drugs during surgical procedures and for diagnosis. They monitor the patient during surgery to determine their physical state and aid in the treatment of patients with post-operative pain.
Pediatricians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of children's diseases from birth through adolescence.
Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases of the heart.
Dermatologists specialize in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin.
Internists diagnose and treat diseases/injuries of human internal organ systems such as heart, liver and lungs.
Physicians may also specialize in radiology, pathology, family practice, urology, rehabilitative medicine, orthopedic surgery, psychiatry, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, or other areas. Entry into special fields such as surgery or psychiatry require 4-7 years of additional training and practice.
Salaries and benefits*
Working for the State of Washington, a licensed Physician 1 earns $63,696 to $73,872 per year, while a licensed Psychiatrist 1 with three years of work experience earns $85,680 to $99,360 per year. Statewide, Physicians' and Surgeons' median salary is $117,750 per year.
Nationally, first-year residents average $33,387 annually. With each year of experience, their pay increases. Primary Care Physicians with one to two years experience average $120,000 per year, while those with three to ten years of experience average $128,000 per year. Ophthamologists average $190,813 per year, Pediatricians average $128,445 per year, Obstetricians and Gynecologists average $203,490 per year, Radiologists average $235,514 per year, Anesthesiologists average $223,270 per year and Heart Surgeons average $396,822 per year.
Costs of establishing a practice are high, so net income during the first year(s) is low for new Physicians. Earnings rise as the practice develops. Physicians in private practice generally earn more than those who are not self-employed. Private practice physicians cover themselves and their employees with benefits. Physicians working for an employer are covered with full benefits in most cases.
Training and requirements
In Washington State training is available at the University of Washington School of Medicine. To practice, a physician must earn a college degree followed by a four year degree as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) from an accredited school and pass an examination for state licensure from the Board of Medical Examiners.
At least one year of post-medical school experience is required, but most graduates of medical/osteopathy schools complete a longer period of specialty training called residency. Residency training is required for persons entering any specialty and can take from three to seven or more years. An in-depth examination is required at the end of the residency training in order to become certified by the board of the specialty. In general, requirements for entering medical school include: 6 hours of English, 8 hours of biology including vertebrate zoology, 16 hours of chemistry (inorganic/organic), and 8 hours of physics. Applicants must also take the MCAT (a national exam) no more than one year before applying to medical school.
Necessary skills
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commitment to healthcare and concern for people in distress
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critical listening skills and ability to communicate clearly
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desire to work with all types of people and work as a team member
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excellent interpersonal skills
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ability to work independently
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ability to understand complex situations and make sound judgments
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good eye/hand coordination, manual dexterity, attentiveness to details
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aptitude for science and math, and good grades overall
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commitment to update skills constantly, proficient use of resources
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physical stamina
Licensure/Certification
A physician is licensed by the state in which he/she practices. The Washington State Department of Health Medical Section in Olympia issues renewals for a physician's medical license. Physicians must also complete 150 hours of continuing education every three years to keep up-to- date with changes in the field.
For more information contact:
●
Washington State Department
of Health
Medical Quality Assurance Commission
1300 SE Quince Street
P.O. Box 47866
Olympia, WA 98504-7866
(360) 236-4800
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/HPS5/Medical/default.htm
Helpful high school courses
Include algebra, biology , business, calculus, chemistry, computer science, English, first aid/CPR, foreign language, geometry, health, humanities, math, physics, speech, and trigonometry.
Outlook*
In Washington, this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase 12 percent by 2008. It is estimated that there will be 312 openings annually in this occupation.
Professional Associations
●
American Academy of Family Physicians
11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy.
Leawood, KS 66211
(913) 906-6000
(800) 274-2237
http://www.aafp.org
●
American College of Physicians-American Soc. of Internal Medicine
190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 351-2400
(800) 523-1546
http://www.acponline.org
●
American Medical Association
515 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60610-4320
(312) 464-5000
http://www.ama-assn.org
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
or
Page updated 9/15/04