Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: Career Center
:: Healthcare Career Profiles :: Physician Career Profiles
Geriatrician - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA geriatrician is a physician that specializes exclusively in the care of the elderly or aging individuals. There is not a specific age that a geriatrician treats, but rather they treat individuals based on the severity of the condition and the current health of the patient. In other words, a very ill person at 50 may need the support and medical expertise of a geriatrician whereas a healthy 75 year old may be more suitable for a general family physician.
The goal of a geriatrician is not just to treat the symptoms but to also help patients develop good lifestyle choices that will lead to fewer problems medically as they continue to age. Many geriatricians may work with clients that have emotional, behavioral and mental health issues as well as health related problems. In these situations the geriatrician may work very closely with a mental health worker or other specialist to help the patient manage their lives and health in the best possible manner based on individual needs.
A geriatrician works very closely with the support systems that the patient has. This may mean working with medical care staff, family members, paid caregivers, hospice staff or other professionals. A team approach is key with geriatric patients and is proven to be the most effective.
A geriatrician may have regular office hours but may also visit patients in their homes or in long-term care facilities. Often the geriatrician will consult with family members after the visits to plan ongoing treatments and interventions if required. Usually a geriatrician will not be required to be on-call or work evenings and weekends but this may depend on the facility that they are working with or in.
A geriatrician must be very patient and have true compassion and understanding for working with the elderly and their families. Excellent communication skills and ability to work with the patient holistically is critical for a geriatrician.
|
Career RequirementsFour years of undergraduate school and then four years of medical school are required for all doctors. After that the doctor completes three years of residency, usually in either family medicine or internal medicine.
At that time the doctor may take an examination on geriatric issues and be considered a geriatrician, or they may complete a one to three year fellowship or residency specializing in geriatric treatment. Upon completion of an exam these highly trained geriatricians are given an Added Qualification in Geriatric Medicine.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookAs the population ages the demand for geriatricians will increase at a rate higher than that of other physicians. According to the United States Department of Labor this trend will continue in the field until at least the year 2014 and likely well beyond.
The additional training, patience and compassion that the job requires makes it a very specialized field of study.
|
Career TrackGeriatricians that start out working for managed health organizations or HMOs often move into private practice or work into medical management in hospitals, nursing homes or long-term care facilities. Significant numbers of geriatricians become involved in research, especially in the areas of mental health conditions and aging.
|
CompensationSalaries for geriatricians vary based on experience, training, location and size of the facility. The average salary for a geriatrician is between $140,000 and $180,000. Those geriatricians in management or supervisory positions will earn more than this, while those in private practice earn slightly less, averaging $125,000 per year.
|
|