Medical Doctor Career Description

One of the noblest professions, being able to treat people’s ailments is highly esteemed and being a medical doctor is always in high demand with hospitals perennially experiencing shortages of medical doctors and health care workers.

Education and Training required

First, you need to graduate from a 4-year baccalaureate degree in college preferably in a related biological field, though not necessary.  Then you have to pass the MCAT (Medical Collage Admission Test) to be admitted to an accredited medical school for another 8-10 years of college and internship work before finally becoming a doctor.  It’s interesting to note that in 2009, only 17,800 among nearly 50,000 applicants passed to get into medical school.

After a 4-year post graduate medical degree, you earn an M.D (medical degree) suffixed to your name.  You then must undergo a medical residency or internship for another 3 years in patent care up to 5 years for medical specialization.  Your internship could extend to a fellowship training for up to 3 years depending on the specialization.  Some fields require it such as cardiology.

Medical Doctor: Getting the Job

After or during your residency, you need to take the 3-part USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam).  In addition, you need to secure a medical license to practice in the state of your choice.  This is not an exam but a compliance with documentary requirements.

Apart from working in private or state hospitals and clinics practicing their profession, doctors can teach in medical schools on the side or as full time career if they prefer dealing with students.  Pharmaceutical companies also have high demand for doctors in the research fields. In addition, large companies with thousands of workers often retain doctors to take care of the employees’ medical needs.

Medical Doctor Working Conditions

A medical doctor works as a staff in a hospital or in private practice treating human ailments.  They are qualified surgeons in their chosen specializations.  If you have no desire to cure and are squeamish about seeing blood and internal organs, this is not the job for you.

Medical Doctor Salary and Benefits

Becoming a doctor is among the few financially rewarding careers with salaries ranging from a low of $121,800 for a general pediatrician or family doctor to as much as $252,000 for an anesthesiologist doctor and a general surgeon.  You can expect to earn more in a specialized practice.

Alternative Description

Medical Doctor Job Profile and Description

Medical Doctors are one of the most honored and trusted professionals for they play the most important role in keeping people fit and fine. They have the huge responsibility of taking care of the health and well of the patients. From diagnosing the patients to treating them with medicines-, everything is done by the doctor. He also explains the procedures and treatments to his patients, hence needs to be a good communicator.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnosing the patients by evaluating the symptoms and thereby determining the physical ailment from which the patient is suffering.
• Carrying out enough amount of research needed to come to a solution if the preliminary tests and diagnoses are not enough to determine the ailment.
• Noting down each and every symptom, manifestation of a patient’s ailment and the progress, which is being made by the patient in order to make a record of the entire treatment history.
• Prescribing medicines to the patients after determining the patient’s health hazards and his medical history.
• Advising the patients on how to avoid future relapses of the health hazards, which have already maligned their health.

Skills And Specifications

• Aware of medical terminology.
• Highly responsible.
• Good communication skills.
• Highly sensitive.
• Aware of latest trends in medical science.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master degree in medicine with specialization in any field is an added advantage.
• Five to ten years experience in a related field is an added advantage.