Specialist Physician

Specialist physicians diagnose and treat patients in a variety of specific medical areas related to both physical and mental health.

In general, specialist physicians may:

• assess and diagnose health problems and illnesses related to their area of specialization
• order, perform and interpret medical, laboratory diagnostic and screening tests
• determine appropriate treatments which may include lifestyle change, surgery, medication, or more complex treatment or rehabilitation programs
• perform and supervise surgical procedures, depending on their speciality
• serve as a consultant to other physicians
• counsel patients on preventative health care and lifestyle including diet and activity
• plan and conduct medical laboratory experiments and conduct research on the nature, cause and development of diseases in humans
• participate in health care teams and co-ordinate their work with other physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers
• attend meetings with clinic or hospital staff to discuss treatment plans and progress
• educate and train students
• sit on university committees and research grant panels
• act as advocates for patients and help create, organize and implement changes in communities to improve overall health
• maintain comprehensive medical records.

Specific duties and responsibilities vary depending on the type of position and specialty.

There are many areas physicians can specialize in. Some common specialties include anesthesia, cardiology, emergency medicine, geriatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, intensive care, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. For a current list of specialties in Alberta and Canada, see the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) websites.

For a more complete list of the different specialist physicians included under the National Occupation Classification code 3111, please visit the Employment and Social Development Canada website.

Specialist physicians' working conditions depend on the type of position they hold and their area of specialization. They are more likely than family physicians to work in hospitals or specialized clinics, though some may work in private practices, universities, laboratories and community settings. The work is rewarding, but can be challenging and emotionally demanding.

Specialist physicians often work very long hours. They may work rotating shifts or be on call or be required to travel in case of medical emergencies. They generally spend part of their time standing to examine, treat or perform and supervise surgical procedures. The remainder of their time is spent at a desk completing paperwork.

Specialist physicians need the following characteristics:

• the intellectual ability required to successfully complete the required academic training and to continue learning life long
• the ability to get along with people and instill confidence
• the stamina required to work long hours
• high ethical standards
• good powers of observation
• the ability to stay calm under pressure
• emotional strength, maturity, empathy and patience
• a genuine interest in people and desire to help them
• high tolerance for uncertainty
• strong communication, teaching and leadership skills
• the ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.

They should enjoy finding solutions to problems, dealing with people and coordinating the work of others.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Most specialist physicians are self-employed. Many specialist physcians work in hospitals or are employed by regional health authorities. Others are employed in:

• medical research companies
• university and colleges
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• rehabilitation centres
• public health and community agencies
• occupational medicine
• health administration
• overseas service
• military service
• medical clinics.

Experienced specialist physicians may advance to management positions. With additional training, they may specialize in other areas such as sports medicine. For a current list of recognized specializations, see the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) websites.

In Alberta, 91% of people employed as specialist physicians work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation

Over 6,300 Albertans are employed in the Specialist physicians occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.6% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 227 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Medical Association (AMA) website: www.albertadoctors.org

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) website: www.cpsa.ca

Medical Council of Canada (MCC) website: www.mcc.ca

Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) website: www.royalcollege.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.