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Aerospace Physician |
Career OverviewThe term aerospace medicine refers to the practice of medicine, whether general or specialist medicine, in-flight. Aerospace medical physicians practice medicine to promote the health of flyers, developing policies and procedures to promote health and prevent illness and injury; conducting medical examinations to monitor health; and develop the special standards for aerospace medical practice.
Whilst some aerospace medical physicians work for airlines or affiliated agencies and crews, many also work for the air force, providing medical care to flyers, missile crews, and other air force personnel whose careers require them to spend substantial portions of time in the air.
Aerospace medical physicians are considered to have specialist knowledge for establishing and developing medical standards for flying personnel in a variety of professional contexts.
Those with senior positions and advanced qualifications may advise medical and dental staff on the treatment of flying personnel and on procedures for preparing patients for aeromedical evacuations. They may also direct general health education and develop control measures for preventable diseases and injuries for communities, providing advice on issues of nutrition, personal hygiene, and general sanitation.
Aerospace medical physicians may also function as occupational physicians for aerospace personnel, determining how often flyers should be subjected to general medical exams and what measures should be taken and enforced to promote health and safety in the workplace.
In some cases, aerospace medical physicians give special medical care to monitor the fitness and health of personnel with flying and special duties; making recommendations that impact the careers of those in aviation services.
Whilst aerospace medical physicians may offer general medical care and serve as family physicians for flying personnel and other members of aerospace communities, some aerospace medical physicians are trained to support operational missions and serve as staff advisors for squadron commanders in the US Airforce.
They may regularly participate in flying missions to develop solutions for any aeromedical problems. Their expertise may be relied upon to establish procedures for managing casualties in accidents that involve or require the assistance of aviation personnel.
Depending on the precise nature of their experience and expertise, aerospace medical physicians may provide advice on or assist in air rescues and aeromedical evacuations.
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Career RequirementsAerospace medical physicians must fulfil the education and experience requirements established by federal and state government to practice medicine.
For entry into any education program to become an aerospace medical physician, a doctor of education degree or a doctor of osteopathy degree is required from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy. It is also mandatory that candidates complete at least three years of graduate medical education in a clinical specialty.
To become an aerospace medical physician employed by the air force, a physician must complete a primary course in aerospace medicine.
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Job OutlookAerospace medicine is a highly specialized field, however, there are ample opportunities for qualified physicians, particularly within the armed forces, who seek to develop as sophisticated understanding of health promotion and disease and injury prevention for flyers and other personnel involved in flying.
There are approximately 5,400 civilian Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) practicing in the United States. Aviation Medical Examiners are private physicians trained and authorized by the FAA as aerospace medical physicians to perform airman medical examinations and to issue medical certificates. AMEs perform approximately 480,000 medical examinations every year. Aeromedical certification is required for a staff body of about 17,000 air traffic controllers and about 640,000 pilots in the United States and abroad.
Whilst opportunities to practice medicine in this type of capacity are likely to remain stable, the field of aerospace medicine may expand as more sophisticated aerospace technologies are developed and as more flight personnel are used by the Air Force and by other agencies within the aerospace industry to advance the field.
For more information about careers as aerospace medical physicians, contact:
FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute
Aeromedical Education Division
AAM-400, Post Office Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 954-4832
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Career TrackDepending on their qualifications and experience, aerospace medical physicians may practice general medicine, they may specialize in air rescue, they may function as general surgeons, or they may accept positions as administrators, policy-makers, consultants, or counselors, establishing practices and protocol for health promotion in aerospace.
A career track for an aerospace medical physician may include a career in the Air Force or with a specialist agency that is involved with flying aircrafts. Most civilian aerospace medical physicians are employed by commercial airlines to provide health care and general advice to commercial airline staff, including pilots and general flight attendants.
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CompensationThe average salary for a typical aerospace medical physician in the United States is about $150,000 per year. Depending upon their qualifications and experience, most aerospace medical physicians in the United States earn between $100,000 and $300,000 per year.
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