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Specialist Physician
Specialist physicians provide medical diagnosis and treatment services in a variety of specific areas including clinical medicine, laboratory medicine and surgery.
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Avg. Salary $73,875.00
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Avg. Wage $36.38
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Minimum Education 8+ years post-secondary
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Outlook above avg
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Employed 3,800
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Cardiologist, Doctor, Oncologist, Pathologist, Pediatrician, Psychiatrist, Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, Sport Medicine Physician, Surgeon
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Specialists in Clinical Medicine (3111.1); Specialists in Laboratory Medicine (3111.2); Specialists in Surgery (3111.3)
- 2006 NOC-S: Specialist Physicians (D011)
- 2011 NOC: Specialist physicians (3111)
- 2016 NOC: Specialist physicians (3111)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $34.76 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $36.38 |
| Top | $39.99 |
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Certification Provincially Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Specialist Physician is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Specialists in Clinical Medicine
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in co-ordinating information about patients' conditions by ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures; may conduct medical research
- SOCIAL
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Interest in mentoring patients by providing treatment for physiological and psychiatric disorders
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in precision working to prescribe drugs and treatments, and refer patients for surgery; and in acting as consultants to other physicians
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Specialists in Laboratory Medicine
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in mentoring by conducting research to further medical knowledge about the structural and functional changes caused by diseases
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in precision working to conduct microscopic and chemical analyses of laboratory samples and specimens
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in co-ordinating the supervision of laboratory activities; and in acting as consultants to other physicians
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Specialists in Surgery
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in mentoring by assessing patients' diseases and disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in precision working to perform surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in co-ordinating information to supervise surgical procedures; and in acting as consultants to other physicians
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Mar 10, 2017
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.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 10, 2017
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 10, 2017
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.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 10, 2017
Specialist physicians must complete:
- pre-medicine studies at the university level
- pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
- complete a four to five year Medical Doctor (MD) degree program at an accredited university
- complete four to five years of post graduate specialty residency training
- two years of sub specialty training may also be required.
Because MD programs are quota programs, many applicants who fulfill the entrance requirements cannot be accepted. Successful applicants are selected on the basis of:
- academic grades
- citizenship
- non-academic criteria including personal activities, letters of recommendation and personal interviews
- the results of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
After successfully completing an MD program, candidates who want to be a specialist physician must train for an additional five to seven years to become licensed for independent practice.
Required Education
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Dominion Herbal College
University of Alberta
- Combined Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy - Medicine
- Combined Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Medicine - Biomedical Engineering
- Combined Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Medicine - Medical Sciences
- Combined Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Medicine - Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
- Doctor of Philosophy - Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
- Doctor of Philosophy - Rehabilitation Science
University of Calgary
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 10, 2017
Physician, Surgeon and Osteopath
Physicians and surgeons assess the physical, mental and psychosocial condition of individuals to establish a diagnosis; assist individuals to make informed choices about medical and surgical treatments; treat physical, mental and psychosocial conditions; promote wellness, injury avoidance, disease prevention and cure through research and education; and engage in research, education and administration with respect to health. Osteopaths use manual techniques to assess, diagnose and treat diseases, disorders and dysfunctions of the body's structure.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths Profession Regulation, you must be a registered member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) to practice medicine in Alberta.
What You Need
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, (2) two years of acceptable post-graduate training in family medicine or four or more years of acceptable post-graduate training in a specialization, and (3) approved examinations. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the CPSA website or contact CPSA.
Working in Alberta
Physicians, surgeons and osteopaths who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered physicians, surgeons and osteopaths in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated physicians, surgeons, and osteopaths, see General Practitioner/Family Physician Licensing Process and Specialist Physician Licensing Process.
Contact Details
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
2700, 10020 - 100 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 0N3
Phone number: 780-423-4764
Toll-free phone number (within Alberta): 1-800-561-3899
Fax number: 780-420-0651
Website: www.cpsa.ca
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 10, 2017
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.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 10, 2017
Specialist physicians in private practice are self-employed. Their incomes vary considerably depending on location, specialty, number of patient visits and the cost of running a medical office.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $26.10 | $40.42 | $34.76 | $30.44 |
| Overall | $27.50 | $42.19 | $36.38 | $32.78 |
| Top | $27.50 | $59.20 | $39.99 | $38.07 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $73,875 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $72,006 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 10, 2017
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 call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 24, 2015. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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