myfuture > home
Occupation Information myfuture > home
home my guide the facts assist others events search help contact us
Occupation Information
myfuture > home

Medical Practitioner
GPGeneral PractitionerDoctor )



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Writing a patient's prescription
Writing a patient's prescription

Medical practitioners diagnose physical and mental illnesses, disorders and injuries, and prescribe medications and treatment to promote or restore good health. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Medical practitioners may perform the following tasks:

  • examine the patient to determine the nature of the disorder or illness, and record the patient's medical information
  • order, perform and analyse laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic images and procedures
  • provide overall care for patients and prescribe and administer treatments, medications and other remedial measures
  • aid in the prevention of diseases and disorders by advising patients on diet, exercise, hygiene and general health
  • prescribe and administer medication and inoculate patients to prevent infectious or contagious diseases
  • provide pre and post-natal care
  • report births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities
  • arrange for patients to be admitted to hospital
  • refer patients to other medical specialists and exchange relevant medical details.

Specialisations

Sports Doctor

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Biology  
Chemistry  
Work Demand Including full use of hands/fingers  
Including good vision for detail  
Including mainly indoor work  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Health and Community Services  
Work Interest Analytic or Scientific  
Helping or Advising  
Skill Level Professional Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Medical practitioners are involved in a wide range of activities including consultations, attending emergencies, performing operations and arranging medical investigations. In caring for patients, medical practitioners work with many other health professionals.

Medical practitioners sometimes have to deal with unpleasant conditions due to a patient's illness or injury. Adopting strict hygiene practices is important.

Depending on their area of specialisation, medical practitioners may have to work long, demanding and irregular hours. This may include working on weekends and at night or being on call 24 hours a day.

Personal Requirements

  • good communication skills
  • self-confidence
  • conscientiousness
  • able to relate to people
  • compassionate towards others
  • enjoy working with people
  • a high degree of motivation and self-discipline.

Related Industries

Medical and Other Health Care Services

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Generalist Medical Practitioners

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Doctors (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Australian VolunteerSearch - Health/Medical and Disability for ALL AUSTRALIA
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Army Officer
Biotechnologist
Consultant Physician
Dentist
Life Scientist
Medical Scientist
Microbiologist
Osteopath
Pathologist
Pharmacologist
Physiotherapist
Specialist Medical Practitioners
Speech Pathologist
Sports Scientist
Surgeon
Toxicologist
Veterinarian

Earnings

View text version of earnings

Occupation Earnings Graph

There is currently no mean weekly earnings data available for this occupation.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

AMA Qld
Australian Medical Association (WA)
Australian Medical Council
Department of Health and Community Services
Medical Board of Queensland
Medical Board of South Australia
Medical Board of the Australian Capital Territory
Medical Board of the Northern Territory
Medical Board of Western Australia
Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria
New South Wales Medical Board
Queensland Health Career Factsheets
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The Medical Council of Tasmania

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Assessing a patient's eye
Assessing a patient's eye