Physicians
Description OES Code: 32102
Doctors of medicine who diagnose and treat mental or physical disorders. May specialize in one field such as surgery, obstetrics, or psychiatry.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $26.97
25th Percentile $35.28
50th Percentile >$70.01

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Physicians enjoy fringe benefits such as paid vacations, retirement programs, profit sharing, and educational sabbaticals on half-pay, in addition to working shorter hours. Many physicians work long, irregular hours. More than one-third of all full-time physicians worked 60 hours or more a week in 1998. They must travel frequently between office and hospital to care for their patients. Increasingly, physicians practice in groups or health care organizations that provide back-up coverage and allow for more time off. These physicians often work as part of a team coordinating care for a population of patients; they are less independent than solo practitioners of the past. Physicians who are on-call deal with many patients' concerns over the phone, and may make emergency visits to hospitals or nursing homes.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 49,900
Projected Employment 2008 63,900
Percent Change 1998-2008 49%
Separations 1998-2008 8,300

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 460
Projected Employment 2006 540
Percent Change 1999-2006 17.4%
Separations 1999-2006 50

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Physicians' working conditions depend primarily on geographical area, hospital facilities, and the physician's specialty. Their offices and treatment rooms are usually well-lighted, air-conditioned, and equipped with the necessary instruments and supplies. Physicians usually work in their offices or in hospitals. When on call, they must make their whereabouts known, carry electronic pagers, and be available at all times

Advancement
Physicians and Surgeons in private practice do not advance in their occupation in the traditional sense -- their progress is measured by their advancement in skill and understanding, in their numbers of patients, and in income. Appointments to teaching positions, medical boards, and hospital staffs are other forms of recognition. In civil service jobs, the annual raises within the classification provide one kind of advancement, and progress to supervisory or administrative jobs provides another.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Those seeking jobs as physicians should register with their local medical society and apply directly to county, state, and federal personnel departments. Many newly licensed physicians become associated with an established doctor and assist or share in the practice.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Helpful high school courses for students planning to become doctors are biology, chemistry, physiology, and math. Many hospitals have volunteer programs for high school students during the school semester and summer. Some areas where students may receive supervised training are hospital laboratories, physical therapy departments, nursing services, and pharmacies. Students must complete three years of college to qualify for any one of eight medical schools in California. Most students, however, have a Bachelor's degree when admitted to medical school.

Considerable weight is given on scholastic records, performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and recommendation of teachers and advisors regarding the applicant's motivation, emotional stability, and intellectual capacity. The number of applicants far exceeds the actual number of students accepted into medical school.

Academic requirements of California medical schools vary slightly, with most requiring a year or more each of biological science, chemistry, and physics. The University of California Medical Schools, with the exception of Irvine, require a year of English, and two schools (Davis and San Diego) require mathematics through calculus. In addition, a broad educational base of coursework that includes literature, history, art, and the social and behavioral sciences is recommended.

Skills & Other Requirements
Medical doctors should be self-disciplined, conscientious and sensitive to the needs of their patients. They should be able to organize and evaluate information, write reports and work independently. People who wish to become physicians must have a desire to serve patients, be self-motivated, and be able to survive the pressures and long hours of medical education and practice. Physicians must also have a good bedside manner, emotional stability, and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. Prospective physicians must be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances. They will also need to be flexible to respond to the changing demands of a rapidly evolving health care system.

References
California Occupational Outlook Guide #319

Related Occupations: Pharmacists, #159, Veterinarians, # 282

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)