family physician

Education

• Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry

Work Setting

• Urban area
• Private practice
• Clinic

Tasks

• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals
• Examine patients' health condition to identify diseases and injuries
• 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
• Participate in health care policy and planning
• Advise patients on health care
• Hire and train staff
• 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

• 3-4 people

Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses

• College of Family Physicians Certification (CCFP)
• Licensure by provincial or territorial authorities
• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE I and MCCQE II)

Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities

• Work under pressure

Personal Suitability

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