Doctor Job Description
The job of a Doctor involves diagnosing and treating physical disorders, injuries and diseases, promoting good health, preventing illnesses and supervising healthcare professionals such as nurses, technicians or assistants. Doctors that treat various common health problems are called general practitioners. Other doctors specialize in specific branches of medicine, such as surgery, psychiatry, ophthalmology, gynecology, dermatology, internal medicine and anesthesiology, among others.
Education/Experience Requirements for the job of a Doctor: A successful candidate must complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree in science, a four-year medical program to obtain MD designation, complete internship and residency, or take up a specialization (followed by three years of residency in his/her chosen field). To practice as a doctor, one must obtain licensure and complete two years of residency in hospitals. Teaching or research positions would require a master’s or doctorate degree.
Skills of a Doctor include but are not limited to: Effective communication and listening skills, organizational and leadership skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, advanced understanding of medicine and science, ability to work long hours, and has a strong desire to help patients. Doctors must also be emotionally stable, patient, decisive and work well independently and as part of a team.
Specific work elements of the job as a Doctor include but are not limited to: Diagnosing and treating a variety of injuries and diseases; examining patients using medical equipment; ordering, executing and analyzing tests to diagnose patients; administering prescribed treatments; advising patients about hygiene, diet, disease prevention and other medical topics; performing surgeries; conducting physical examinations; referring patients to other doctors for specialized treatments and reporting deaths, births or disease outbreak to government authorities, among others.
