What does an emergency medicine physician do?
An emergency medicine physician is responsible for performing immediate medical treatment for patients in critical condition and life-threatening cases. Emergency medicine physicians operate various medical tools and equipment to stabilize the patients, following the safety course of medical procedures. They work closely with other physicians and medical health professionals to diagnose patients' cases immediately, endorsing them to other hospitals or health care providers as necessary. An emergency medicine physician usually works in the emergency room of a hospital, requiring them to be attentive and organizational at all times.
Emergency medicine physician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real emergency medicine physician resumes:
- Lead surgeries on: hemorrhoid thrombectomy, abscess drainage, CPR, as well as complicated plastic surgeries due to injury.
- Start IVs, draw blood, perform EKGs, administer joint and IM injections, and write admission orders.
- Interpret labs, x-rays, CTs, MRIs, and ECGs.
- Assist with management of acute cardiac arrest, including intubation and ACLS protocol.
- Order and interpret lab data, radiologic exams, EKGs and diagnostic studies.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing, wind care, and infection management.
- Experience in independent intubation with physician supervision.
- Refer patients to other medical professionals when deem necessary.
- Administer medications and assist in diagnostic testing for HIV-positive patients.
- Perform vitals/glucose testing and assisting in administering injections and urinalysis.
- Assist and independently perform minor procedures, including suturing, incision and drainage.
- Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
- Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Lead surgeries on: hemorrhoid thrombectomy, abscess drainage, CPR, as well as complicated plastic surgeries due to injury.
Emergency medicine physician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Emergency Medicine Physicians are proficient in Patients, Medical Care, and Critical Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Compassion, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Emergency Medicine Physicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 27%
Referred patients to other medical professionals when deemed necessary.
- Medical Care, 16%
Provided leadership for clinical staff and delivered quality medical care at the Pocahontas Family Medical Center.
- Critical Care, 16%
Served on Critical Care committee, Chaired PI committee.
- IM, 9%
Started IVs, drew blood, performed EKGs, administered joint and IM injections, and wrote admission orders.
- Family Practice, 9%
Provided physician coverage for owner of a Family Practice/Occupational Medicine clinic during absences
- Acls, 7%
Observed and assisted with multiple PALS and ACLS codes.
"patients," "medical care," and "critical care" are among the most common skills that emergency medicine physicians use at work. You can find even more emergency medicine physician responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an emergency medicine physician to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." Additionally, an emergency medicine physician resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintain open lines of communication between patients, physician, staff, and laboratory personnel. "
Compassion. Another essential skill to perform emergency medicine physician duties is compassion. Emergency medicine physicians responsibilities require that "patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress." Emergency medicine physicians also use compassion in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided compassionate direct patient care in an academic setting (stony brook/st. "
Detail oriented. emergency medicine physicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to emergency medicine physician responsibilities, because "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications." An emergency medicine physician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "conduct detailed cbt and wbt sessions for group of up to 20 individuals to familiarize them to the ehr product. "
Dexterity. For certain emergency medicine physician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "dexterity." The day-to-day duties of an emergency medicine physician rely on this skill, as "physicians and surgeons may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what emergency medicine physicians do: "conducted hands-on minor surgical procedures such as homeostasis, debridement, suturing and dressing the wound. "
Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for an emergency medicine physician to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what emergency medicine physicians relies on this skill, since "physicians who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals." How this skill relates to emergency medicine physician duties can be seen in an example from an emergency medicine physician resume snippet: "provided leadership in patient care and private practice operations as the clinical director of a large multi-practitioner group. "
Physical stamina. Another skill commonly found on emergency medicine physician job descriptions is "physical stamina." It can come up quite often in emergency medicine physician duties, since "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day emergency medicine physician responsibilities: "recommended the required diagnostic tests based on medical history and results of physical examination. "
The three companies that hire the most emergency medicine physicians are:
- TeamHealth29 emergency medicine physicians jobs
- Integrity Locums20 emergency medicine physicians jobs
- All Medical Personnel17 emergency medicine physicians jobs
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Compare different emergency medicine physicians
Emergency medicine physician vs. Endocrinologist
Endocrinologists specialize in the glands and the hormones our body makes. These doctors deal with the biochemical process, like how your body changes food into energy and how it grows. An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormonal problems; diseases like diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal disorders, lipid disorders, growth disorders, and metabolic abnormalities. An endocrinologist must exhibit leadership skills, organizational and problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, empathy, and agility. An endocrinologist must have an issued license to practice medicine.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between emergency medicine physicians and endocrinologist. For instance, emergency medicine physician responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "medical care," "critical care," and "im." Whereas a endocrinologist is skilled in "internal medicine," "thyroid," "cme," and "clinical care." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Endocrinologists really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $207,857. Comparatively, emergency medicine physicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $130,931.The education levels that endocrinologists earn slightly differ from emergency medicine physicians. In particular, endocrinologists are 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an emergency medicine physician. Additionally, they're 9.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Emergency medicine physician vs. General internist
An internist is a physician of internal medicine whose primary duty is to diagnose and treat different illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment and examination, reviewing medical records and histories, providing consultations, prescribing medicines, and coordinating with different health care workers to ensure optimal care and service to patients. Moreover, it is essential to discuss and explain conditions to patients or their families, monitor their condition, provide health care advice, and refer them to any specialists or support services as needed.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real emergency medicine physician resumes. While emergency medicine physician responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "medical care," "critical care," and "im," general internists use skills like "internal medicine," "outpatient practice," "board certification," and "pediatrics."
On average, general internists earn a higher salary than emergency medicine physicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, general internists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $195,296. Whereas emergency medicine physicians have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $130,931.Average education levels between the two professions vary. General internists tend to reach lower levels of education than emergency medicine physicians. In fact, they're 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 9.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Emergency medicine physician vs. Internist
A general practitioner handles common medical health conditions of patients and refers them to hospitals and specialists for urgent treatment. They are commonly referred to as a family doctor or physician. They are often the first point of contact for anyone with a physical or mental health challenge. They may be expected to carry out clinical examinations of patients to access and diagnose disease, perform the necessary tests, interpret findings, and recommend a treatment plan.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from emergency medicine physician resumes include skills like "im," "acls," "atls," and "iv," whereas an internist is more likely to list skills in "primary care," "emr," "private practice," and "rehabilitation. "
Internists earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $198,321. Comparatively, emergency medicine physicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $130,931.internists typically earn similar educational levels compared to emergency medicine physicians. Specifically, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 18.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Emergency medicine physician vs. General practice
Types of emergency medicine physician
Updated January 8, 2025
