Career of Emergency Room Doctor
Emergency rooms are areas of a hospital that provide quick medical attention for patients suffering from sudden illnesses or injuries, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Emergency medical doctors are the medical professionals who specialize in treating emergency room patients.
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Function
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The primary functions of an emergency room doctor are to quickly assess a patient's condition and symptoms, determine the severity of his illness or injury, and make decisions about how to provide treatment.
Features
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Emergency room doctors perform physical examinations, talk to patients about their symptoms, check vital signs and order diagnostic tests. Emergency room doctors determine whether a specialist needs to immediately treat the patient, whether the patient requires admittance to the hospital overnight or if the patient can return home.
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Skills
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Successful emergency medical doctors function well in stressful, fast-paced environments. Being able to make quick decisions, work within a team and multitask are also important skills for emergency room doctors.
Education
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After receiving a bachelor's degree, emergency room doctors complete four years of basic medical training at a medical school. At the conclusion of the training program, graduates take a state examination in order to become licensed doctors.
Residency and Certification
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After receiving a license to practice general medicine, emergency room doctors spend three to eight years completing a residency program that provides hands-on experience in the specialty. At the completion of the residency, emergency room doctors take an examination administered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine in order to become certified specialists in the field.
Compensation
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In December 2009, the average annual salary for emergency room doctors was $146,000, according to Indeed.com.
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