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 Physician Jobs

With the demand for physicians continuing to rise, different career paths will be in higher demand than others. In this article we'll explore some of the most popular jobs and discuss how to get there.

By Rob Novak, Doctor of Medicine

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series on finding jobs in the healthcare field. Check out our article on  Physician Assistant  jobs, too. In this article we are focusing on physicians and the different types of doctors out there. The term doctor is used to describe one who has earned a medical degree. However, that degree can come in many forms and with multiple different titles attached to it.

Although you can still perform surgery if you have an MD, DO or PhD, they are not the same degree and focus is shifted to a specific specialty practiced by a physician (usually MD or DO). Specialty areas include cardiology, obstetrics, plastic surgery, psychiatry and many more. You should also note that a doctor of Chiropractic is not a physician.

Different types of doctors and why they have different titles

MD – Earned by those with an undergraduate degree in medicine who go on to complete the years of medical school under the guidance of their own personal physician, this doctorate is usually required for further medical training or to become a medical researcher. Most MDs practice medicine under their license but there are various specialities out there, including academic medicine.

DO – A Doctor of Osteopathy is a health professional who had their education in the US. They are not required to complete medical school and focus on physical health. The DO can also specialize in any field from radiation oncology to pediatric medicine to sports medicine and more.

PhD – A doctor with a doctorate in pharmacology, who may or may not practice medicine within the state where they graduated, is a doctor of pharmacy. There are many different subspecialties that the pharmacist can work in such as family medicine, clinical pharmacology or pain management.

DMD – The doctor of dental medicine is a speciality first developed in the US and is not required to practice dentistry. They can work in many different fields such as surgery, pediatrics and dentistry.

DDS – A Doctor of Dental Surgery is a dentist who has completed additional medical training under the supervision of someone experienced in that specialty. They are usually board certified by the American Board of Dental Surgery (ABD).

Chiropractor – A Doctor of Chiropractic is trained by their state's board of chiropractic. They focus on physical therapy and often work with patients who suffer from chronic pain, disc problems or acute injuries.

Nurse Practitioners – A Nurse Practitioner is trained and has a limited license to practice medication under the supervision of a licensed MD. They are qualified to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication. They can also give advice on disease management.

To be considered an internist, one must have an MD degree completed their residency training and passed the internal medicine board exams. As an internal medicine physician you will often treat ailments in adults but can also see pediatric patients as well.

Signs of a physician being in a higher demand:

- Physician working alone in a clinic or private office

- Physician works in multi-specialty group practices (i.e., cardiology and internal medicine) or hospital jobs like emergency rooms, intensive care units, ambulatory surgery centers and rehabilitation units.

Best jobs for physicians

1. General Practice/Family Medicine Physician

These doctors are the go to doctor when someone has the common ailments they are used to treating such as colds and flu, dermatological conditions, infections and chronic illnesses. The GP is also the doctor of choice when someone needs more detailed care due to their age or family history. They also have experience in treating pregnancies and sports related injuries. Patients see them when they need help with their medication list or prescriptions, need a second opinion on a chronic illness or when seeking help for something more dire.

2. Pediatrician

Pediatricians specialize in treating children from infancy through adolescence, looking out for any developmental issues that may arise due to allergies or other physical ailments. Pediatricians are diagnosticians, treat physical ailments and monitor the growth and development of the child to ensure they are on track if healthy development is taking place. They also look at mental health issues such as anxiety and ADHD, helping with behavioral problems if necessary as well as performing annual exams.

3. Emergency Department Physician

If you love working in an emergency room, there are plenty of opportunities out there. Doctors specializing in emergency medicine work the night shift at a busy hospital while they receive their medical training and continue to get an MD or DO degree. If you are looking for something more proactive, you can be placed on a medical call as well, where you will be called upon based on your specialty and experience. Emergency medicine doctors commonly deal with trauma and cardiac care as well as treating sepsis and dehydration as well as other systemic illnesses that arise from trauma.

4. Acute Care Physician

These doctors can work in many different settings, from solo practices to group practices to hospital shifts. If you are looking for part-time or part-year employment, look for a job at a nursing home as a nurse practitioner or primary care physician as well as any two of the following: surgery, orthopedics, oncology and internal medicine.

5. Neurologist

Neurologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and conditions that involve the central nervous system. They diagnose causes of illnesses that cause problems with motor function such as stroke or seizure disorders affecting muscles and movement. Neurologists also treat people with issues such as degenerative disease or conditions that affect the peripheral nervous system like Parkinson's. Neurosurgeons are surgeons who also specialize in operating on patients with conditions of the brain and spinal cord.

6. Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

These physicians treat women and their reproductive health, looking out for common disorders and general health concerns. They can prescribe birth control and prescribe medications that may prevent miscarriage, ovarian cysts and other gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Conclusion

If you are a current physician or are considering a future career, be sure to check out your state-specific board and USMLE. Your board is the only organization that certifies physicians in your state, and the USMLE is what determines the level of knowledge needed to pass the medical exams to become licensed. Board certification can give you a competitive edge in getting a job and landing an excellent salary.

With over 600 boards and 9000 certifications, finding a job is no longer just about your areas of interest, but also about the nature of your specialty. 

"National Board Certification or Professional Certification: How To Land A Medical Job" - Med Career Review http://www.medcareerreviews.