Specialist Physicians
(NOC 3111)
in All HealthSpecialists Physicians have an in-depth knowledge and highly specialized skills in a specific medical field. There are many specialties, which can be broadly grouped into clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, and surgery. This group includes residents training to become specialist physicians. Specialists in clinical medicine diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders and act as consultants to other physicians. Specialists in laboratory medicine study the nature, cause, and development of diseases in humans. Specialists in surgery perform and supervise surgical procedures. Specialists in clinical medicine usually work in private practice or in a hospital while those in laboratory medicine and in surgery usually work in hospitals.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
The increasing health needs of an aging population favour employment prospects for this occupation. The Nova Scotia Health Authority has been actively recruiting specialist physicians. Recruitment is an extensive process, often taking months, that involves health providers and community members. Some positions remain difficult to fill, as the health authority must compete with other provinces to attact highly-specialized physicians, especially those based in more-rural parts of Nova Scotia.
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
$159,630
Minimum$247,258
Median$455,265
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Specialists Physicians have an in-depth knowledge and highly specialized skills in a specific medical field. There are many specialties, which can be broadly grouped into clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, and surgery. This group includes residents training to become specialist physicians. Specialists in clinical medicine diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders and act as consultants to other physicians. Specialists in laboratory medicine study the nature, cause, and development of diseases in humans. Specialists in surgery perform and supervise surgical procedures. Specialists in clinical medicine usually work in private practice or in a hospital while those in laboratory medicine and in surgery usually work in hospitals.
Job duties
Specialists in clinical medicine:
- Diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders.
- Order laboratory tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
- Prescribe medication and treatment and refer patients for surgery.
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
- May conduct medical research.
Specialists in laboratory medicine:
- Study the nature, cause, and development of diseases in humans and the structural and functional changes caused by diseases.
- Conduct microscopic and chemical analyses of laboratory samples and specimens.
- Supervise laboratory activities.
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
Specialists in surgery:
- Assess patients' diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures.
- Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries.
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
Sample job titles
- anesthesiologist
- cardiologist
- dermatologist
- emergency physician
- medical examiner
- neurologist
- obstetrician-gynecologist
- opthalmologist
- pediatrician
- plastic surgeon
- psychiatrist
- radiologist
- specialist physician
- surgeon
- urologist
Skills
- Compassion, sensitivity, and a desire to help people are important. Physicians must take final responsibility for their decisions and the effects they have on patients' lives. Therefore, emotional stability, ethics, maturity, and good judgement are essential. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are important. You should be able to inspire confidence and put people at ease. You must be willing to continually update your knowledge and skills. Good health and stamina may be needed, as physicians often work long hours.
Job requirements
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Other considerations
- The work is rewarding but can be challenging and emotionally demanding. Specialist physicians often work long hours. Most physicians are self-employed and administer their services through private practices. Most physicians are paid by fee-for-service, so earnings depend upon the fees paid by the government for various services and the number of patients served. Some physicians are paid through alternative funding plans. Movement to management positions like director of laboratory medicine or chief of surgery is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
N/ANorth Shore
N/ACape Breton
N/ASouthern
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$107,549 median annual incomeMaster
$107,583 median annual incomeDoctorate
$126,462 median annual incomeBachelor
N/ADiploma Above Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Health/Medical Physics
University ProgramThese programs focus on applying physics, nuclear science, and engineering physics to diagnostic, treatment, and therapeutic processes and public health protection. They include courses in radiation biophysics, biophysics, health effects of natural and artificially induced radiation, hazard evaluation, environmental radioactivity, nuclear physics, engineering physics, radiobiology, medical radiology, calibration and dosage theory, computer applications and medical informatics, and specific research problems.
Institutions providing this program
Medical Scientist (MSc, PhD)
University ProgramThis includes any undifferentiated clinical science program that prepares graduated physicians (M.D. or D.O.) as research scientists in various areas.
Institutions providing this program
Medicine (MD)
University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the independent professional practice of medicine, involving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, injuries, and other disorders of the human body. They courses in the basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, examination and diagnosis, patient communications, medical ethics and laws, professional standards, and rotations in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, clinical pathology, anesthesiology, family medicine, and psychiatry.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.