Family Medicine Physicians

What the job really is

Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1215
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
• Order, perform, and interpret tests and analyze records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients' condition.
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
• Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
• Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
• Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
• Refer patients to medical specialists or other practitioners when necessary.
• Coordinate work with nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, psychologists, and other health care providers.
• Plan, implement, or administer health programs or standards in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention or treatment of injury or illness.
• Train residents, medical students, and other health care professionals.
• Prepare government or organizational reports which include birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or medical status of individuals.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Acrendo Medical Software Family Practice EMR, Adult Magill forceps, Allscripts Professional EHR, Angiocaths, Auditory testing equipment, Automated external defibrillators AED, Baby scales

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Pediatricians, General
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Pediatric Surgeons
• Physician Assistants
• Psychiatrists
• Cardiologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Family Medicine Physicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.