What does a Family Medicine Physician do?

Family Medicine Physicians work in private practices and outpatient clinics, caring for people from birth through their senior years. They usually serve as primary care providers, so patients often seek help from them when experiencing symptoms of an illness or disease.

By carrying out the duties in a Family Medicine Doctor job description, they identify the likely causes of symptoms. They may develop and implement treatment plans or refer patients to specialists for further care. When they fulfill their job responsibilities, Family Medicine Doctors may help increase patient satisfaction and overall practice success rates.

Family Medicine Physician skills and qualifications

Family Medicine Physicians benefit from an established skill set to perform well in their roles. Qualifications to consider listing in your Family Medicine Physician job description include:

• In-depth knowledge of anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics and the standards of care for illnesses and diseases

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans

• Observational skills to notice signs of illness and disease that patients may not report

• Verbal communication and active listening skills to gather information, field questions and explain treatments

• Interpersonal skills to foster trust in patients and set people of all ages at ease

• Organizational and time management skills to stay on schedule and maintain patient records

• Computer skills for using spreadsheets, email, patient records management, word processing and other required software

• Familiarity with laws and regulations related to infection control and patient safety and privacy protection

Family Medicine Physician experience requirements

The experience needed for a Family Medicine Physician to carry out their job duties successfully depends on the current staffing of your practice or clinic. Because Family Medicine Doctors receive hands-on clinical training during their formal education, they may not need additional experience if your team includes more experienced physicians.

If your new hire will work independently or supervise less experienced physicians, you may require a few years of work experience as a qualification in your Family Medicine Doctor job description.

Family Medicine Physician education and training requirements

Family Medicine Physicians must typically be licensed by their state’s medical boards and certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) to work independently in the field. Their formal education typically consists of a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, and a four-year bachelor’s degree is generally a prerequisite for admission into these programs.

After graduation, prospective Family Medicine Doctors complete a residency, which must last for at least three years. To gain licensing, Family Physicians must pass the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and a passing score on the ABFM’s Family Medicine board exam is necessary for obtaining certification.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the Family Medicine Doctor job description doesn’t fully describe your open position, one of these related job titles may be a closer match:

• Internist

• Pediatrician

• Physician

Family Medicine Physician job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Family Medicine Physician and an Internist?

Both Internists and Family Doctors serve as primary care physicians. However, Internists have additional training in managing chronic diseases, and they’re less likely to treat children.

How can I make my Family Medicine Doctor job description stand out?

To set your Family Doctor job description apart, start with a bulleted list of the benefits of working for your practice. Potential selling points may include medical school loan reimbursement, continuing medical education (CME) allowances and paid malpractice insurance.

Should I consider Board-Eligible Family Medicine Physicians for my open position?

To potentially attract a larger pool of candidates, you may state that Board-Eligible (BE) Family Medicine Physicians are welcome to apply in your Family Physician job description. A BE Family Doctor has earned a degree and completed their residency but hasn’t taken the ABFM certification exam. You can make job offers contingent on passing the exam before employment.