What does a Medical Doctor do?
Physicians work to care for patients in a variety of ways, from treating chronic illnesses to advising about preventative healthcare. While physician specialties might vary, the commonality across specialties is that physicians primarily work to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. They often do this by performing physical exams, taking medical histories, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, and recommending a plan of treatment.
Physicians require a high level of education, which typically includes a bachelor's degree, a degree from a medical school, and an extended period of time in a residency program. In addition, all states require physicians to be licensed. Beyond licensure, many physicians take an additional test to become board certified in order to increase employment opportunities.
- Work with the primary healthcare team to provide patients with primary medical care services within the standard of care for Internal Medicine patients.
- Order laboratory and radiology tests and refer patients to specialists when appropriate and called for.
- Analyze reports, test results, medical records and examinations to diagnose condition of patients and propose treatment options.
- Prescribe pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens to treat identified and documented medical conditions.
- Discuss potential side effects of medication/treatment with patients and ensure that all allergy information is up-to-date before prescribing medication/treatment.
- Provide advice to patients for lifestyle and diet changes that may improve their health or help to treat the health issue they are experiencing.
- Adhere to departmental policies, procedures and objectives, ongoing quality improvement objectives and safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with all federal and state health information privacy laws.
- Record complete, timely and legible medical records.
- Experience providing primary care and diagnostic services in a clinical setting.
- Experience prescribing appropriate medications, treatments and health regimens to treat patient health issues.
- Experience collaborating with specialists to explore patient health conditions and diagnose health issues.
- Experience working in a team of healthcare professionals and collaborating with them to ensure positive, effective patient experiences with our organization.
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
- We are looking for a candidate with at least 3 years of experience in a Primary Care Physician role outside of their residency and who has the following certifications:
- D. or D. O. degree from an accredited United States medical school.
- Successful completion of residency and at an accredited healthcare institution.
- Board certification in primary care or related field from said residency.
- Current Stale Medical Practitioner License.
- Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Department of Public Safety (DPS) registration, for prescription writing.
How much does a Medical Doctor make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$194,047
/ yrMedical Doctor Career Path
Learn how to become a Medical Doctor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Medical Doctor Insights
Kindbody“You grow really close with the people you work with and they become a second family.”
Brigham and Women's Hospital“This job is a good job to make decent money and get your feet wet.”
Sanford Health“Had opportunity to learn from some of the best educators in the business of medicine!”
3-GIS“Helps the product is #1 in the market but saying that the customer focus is amazing.”
NHS Scotland“Well supported with good and clear career progression”
Harvard Medical School“brilliant and competent staff to support your career”
Bierman Autism Centers“I look forward to coming to work each day to see my coworkers and our amazing kiddos :)”
Abrazo Community Health Network“Human resources is not adequately trained to handle FMLA and ADA issues.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of physicians
Physicians provide medical care to patients via a variety of specialties and in many environments from the ER to an exam room. The typical day of a physician involves seeing patients, prescribing medication, managing conditions, and more. Physicians are also responsible for clerical work like charting.
Yes, individuals working as a physician are usually satisfied with their job. U.S. News even lists physician as #5 in its list of 100 best jobs. Their work environment varies widely with career; primary care physicians often work regular work hours, whereas hospital physicians may work odd hours and longer shifts.
Yes. The average pay of physicians in the U.S. is $194,047 per year, with a range from $112,547 to $355,106 per year. Salary can vary widely with specialty, location, and years of experience. Physicians who open a private practice may have more control over salary.
Being in charge of human well-being can be very stressful, especially in hectic environments like emergency rooms. When looking at becoming a physician, remember that you need to spend a lot of time on your feet, and may be required to work holidays, weekends, and long shifts.