Emergency Room Doctor Job Description

Emergency room doctors treat a wide variety of cases.

When patients come to the emergency room with injuries or illnesses, they receive treatment from emergency room doctors. These doctors are the jack-of-all-trades of the medical profession, drawing on broad knowledge to address ailments that range from infections to life-threatening injuries. They provide non-surgical care to patients, working with nurses and other emergency room staff to prioritize and evaluate cases.

Responsibilities

Emergency room doctors work with other medical specialists to diagnose patients' conditions and provide appropriate treatment. They request additional examinations and tests or make referrals as necessary, according to MySalary.com.

Skills/Training

Emergency room doctor positions often require candidates to have up to four years of experience in emergency medicine, as well as a medical degree and a license to practice medicine. Communication skills, the ability to evaluate data and a calm demeanor are important traits for this career.

Certification

Certification requirements for emergency room doctors include completion of emergency medicine internships and residency training, continuing education and successful completion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the American Board of Emergency Medicine's national certification exam, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hours/Working Conditions

According to the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, emergency room doctors work long hours with high physical and emotional demands. Shifts often last 12 hours and total 60 hours per week. Weekend, evening and holiday hours are common.

Compensation

Emergency room doctors earned a median annual salary of $235,398 in June 2010, according to MySalary.com. The range for base salaries is $182,996 to $299,473 annually.

Job Prospects

Employment growth for emergency room doctors will be higher than average at 22 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for emergency room doctors will be especially high in rural and low-income areas that have difficulty attracting and retaining doctors.

References

• American College of Emergency Physicians: Facts About ACEP and Emergency Medicine
• MySalary.com: Emergency Room Physician
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians and Surgeons