family physician

Education

• Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry

Work Setting

• Private practice
• Clinic

Tasks

• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals
• Examine patients' health condition to identify diseases and injuries
• Help patients develop healthy habits, break old habits and reshape their approach to wellness
• Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures to determine the most appropriate medical treatment
• Consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
• Prescribe and administer medications and treatments
• Inoculate and vaccinate patients to prevent and treat diseases
• Advise patients on health care
• Be the patient advocate
• Co-ordinate or manage primary patient care
• Provide counselling and support to patients and their families on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues

Supervision

• 1 to 2 people

Certificates, Licenses, Memberships, and Courses

• Licensure by provincial or territorial authorities

Security and Safety

• Criminal record check
• Eligible for professional liability insurance

Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Work under pressure
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking
• Large caseload

Personal Suitability

• Accurate
• Client focus
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Initiative
• Interpersonal awareness
• Judgement
• Organized
• Reliability
• Team player
• Values and ethics