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Occupational Medicine Physician |
Career OverviewOccupational medicine is practiced for the benefit of the working population. Occupational healthcare workers, whether physicians, nurses, or medical assistants often work for or with government agencies, healthcare facilities, insurance companies, consulting firms, or industry specialist programs to promote the health of and prevent injuries to workers.
Occupational medicine physicians often serve as primary care providers in this context. They may also work as educators, consultants, and case managers for workers and their employers in a given setting. The advanced training of occupational medicine physicians is particularly valuable as their skills set reduces the need, in many cases, for additional medical personnel, such as physicians in general and family practices, or emergency room doctors, to provide substantial care or follow-up care to worker.
Occupational medicine is rapidly expanding as a field of practice. It incorporates the principles and practices of clinical medicine, preventive medicine, industrial hygiene, safety engineering, epidemiology, and toxicology. It also offers an unusual diversity of career tracks for qualified occupational medicine physicians: in government positions, in the academia, in industry, and in clinical settings.
Since the late 1970s, qualified medical doctors have been able to undertake residencies in occupational medicine and to become licensed practitioners of occupational medicine through the board exam provided by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
A typical practicing occupational medicine physician treats a variety of conditions, often by prevention. That is, they may introduce policies to reduce risks of car accidents, ionizing radiation, sun exposure, heat stress and dehydration, and damage to hearing caused by noise. The may also work with employers and employees to minimize the risk of health damage from toxic fumes and substances such as tobacco smoke, benzene, work-related carcinogens, aerosols, silicosis, and asbestosis.
They may address biological and ergonomic work hazards, that include risk of exposure to HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Common ergonomic work hazards are posed by lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects, managing materials, and by repeating motions. Occupational medicine physician may also diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and vibration white finger, which is a condition for which workers are at relatively high risk.
Occupational medicine physician are also trained to assess issues such as work-related stress, problems with work loads, discrimination issues, and coping issues that may affect individual worker's ability to function. The extent to which they treat these and other conditions varies, depending on the experience and qualifications of the individual. However, at the very least, the occupational medicine physician will be responsible for referring workers to appropriate specialists and following up on any prescribed treatment.
Occupational medicine physician who work in industry may also be responsible for assessing the extent to which an individual worker is fit to work. In hand with performing assessments for disability, occupational medicine physicians may also be responsible for managing rehabilitation and return to work processes after an illness.
For all of the functions they perform and for all of the roles that they fulfill, occupational physicians require a detailed and ready knowledge of human health and work specific situations.
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Career RequirementsAn occupational medicine physician must fulfil the education and experience requirements established by federal and state government to practice medicine.
For entry into any education program to become a specialist in occupational medicine, which is a branch of preventive medicine, a doctor of medicine degree is required from an approved school of medicine. It is often mandatory that candidates complete at least four years of graduate medical education in occupational medicine before practicing independently.
To work as an occupational medicine physician, an individual must complete four years of medical school, a one-year internship, and three years of residency.
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Job OutlookThe job outlook for occupational medicine physicians is extremely promising: the field is a diverse one. It offers qualified medical doctors the opportunity to deal directly with patients, act as policy makers, consultants, and researchers into the application of preventive medicine to promote the physical and mental health of workers.
The field looks set to remain particularly lucrative, dynamic, and open to qualified and enthusiastic graduates of medical schools.
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Career TrackOpportunities exist for occupational medicine physicians in a variety of settings, depending upon individual interest and qualifications. Many occupational medicine physicians work in office settings as general practitioners for a company or groups of companies. They may also be employed in a more general office role, working for insurance agencies or health insurance companies.
Considerable opportunities also exist for those interested in conducting research, specifically into work-related conditions and best practices that may assist the management of work environments and of employees.
A dedication to improving work environments and working closely with third parities is desirable in the field and conducive to success.
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CompensationThe average reported salary for a typical occupational medicine physician in the United States is approximately $180,000 per year. Depending upon their qualifications and experience, most urologists in the United States earn between $140,000 and $290,000.
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