DUTY DOCTORS

Duties of a doctor

Monitoring and caring for patients in hospitals and clinics
Investigating, diagnosing and treating the health conditions of patients
Prescribing and reviewing patients’ medication
Taking accurate notes, as a legal record and for other healthcare professionals to use
Working with other doctors, healthcare professionals and management staff
Educating people about their health
Teaching and supervising trainee doctors.

Doctors work in a range of different environments, including:

Doctors in the UK mainly work in the public sector, for the NHS (National Health Service). Some work in the private sector.

They work long hours. Their shifts are planned on a rota system, and it includes overnight and weekend work.

The National Careers Service says that doctors in hospitals tend to work 48 hours per week, but this will depend on the specialism.

Some doctors also need to be available in case of emergency, when they are not at work. This is called being ‘on-call’.

A hospital doctor job description is likely to include some or all of the following skills.

	Communication Doctors need to be good communicators, so they can explain choices and procedures to patients.
	Working under pressure It is important for doctors in hospitals to be able to make the right decision quickly. They often have to work in highly pressurised environments, where a patient’s life could be in danger.
	Bedside manner All medical professionals need to be able to put patients at ease. Often, patients are dealing with situations that are distressing or painful. They need to be able to trust that they are in safe hands.
	Leadership Doctors often have to manage a team of other doctors or health professionals. They need to earn the respect of the people they are managing by having good leadership and management skills.
	Problem solving and initiative Doctors need to review all of the symptoms and needs of each patient. They do this to work out what is wrong with the patient and decide on the right course of action.
	Time management and organisation It is essential that doctors thoroughly check their rota and arrive at work on time. Sick and injured people depend on them every day, to cure diseases and save lives.
	Attention to detail Doctors need to be careful not to overlook any detail of a patient’s care. They must be sure to give the right dose of medicine and course of treatment to each patient.