Becoming an Emergency Medicine Doctor

The path, the career and the salary

Known to be one of the most intense roles in the medical industry, emergency medicine doctors are trained to respond to a diverse range of unexpected medical crises – a large responsibility but rewarding career path.

If this is a career path that sparks your interest, it is key to know that the path to becoming an emergency medicine doctor is a long and challenging one; But don’t let that dissuade you. For those in the medical field with a drive for an intense, face-paced and constantly changing environment, the emergency department could be for you. This high-rewarding path is a great way to learn, develop and reach the next level of your career. 

 

The Process of Becoming an Emergency Doctor

Expectedly, a very high level of study and training is needed to become a doctor of any kind, especially an emergency doctor. 

For most, the basic training to start a career in the medical industry begins with a four year undergraduate degree, followed by a four or five year medical degree. From there, generally medical career paths can lead into specialist areas, including emergency medicine. Studying a specialised curriculum gives focus to the knowledge , experience and teaching in emergency medicine. 

Once students have graduated from medical school, their first year is spent experiencing the world of medicine first hand through an accredited internship, which generally involves spending time in medicine, surgical and emergency departments. Time in each of these departments can help new graduates find a pathway in a more hands-on setting, giving them a better understanding of the day to day life of each pathway. Subsequently, a medical officer term in an emergency medicine department can also be a great way to solidify the choice to pursue an emergency medicine pathway. 

For those seriously considering the pathway to becoming a specialist in emergency medicine and achieve FACEM qualification, or for those switching to emergency medicine from another area in medicine, the following path is what you can expect: 

First, doctors must complete at least one year of provisional training, including a commitment to continue to work in emergency medicine. As part of this they must also complete a  requisite exam and interview. Following this doctors will complete four years of advanced training, which can include a range of subspecialty training and research.

 

A Career as an Emergency Physician

 

While a career as an emergency doctor isn’t for everyone, it is a very rewarding and enjoyable career path for those with a specific skill set and mindset. The determination and commitment to this job pays off in the long term. The general case load is diverse, with a wide range of clinical situations and challenges that will keep you on your toes and thriving to meet every situation with your best foot forward. 

While shifts can be long and intense, and hours can be unusual – especially for new doctors with night shifts and long weekends a common occurrence, they are also surrounded with teams of knowledgeable individuals from whom you can learn from and grow as a physician. 

Below is a list of traits and criteria that are most suited to those likely to relish and thrive in an emergency medical environment. If some (or many) of these sound like you, then a career in emergency medicine could be your next calling.

 

• A flexible schedule that may include long shifts, work on weekends, week days and over holiday periods, compensated by regular extended blocks of time off
• A multi-tasker that can shift between focuses quickly and effectively
• You thrive under pressure and can maintain a level and calm mind in stressful, consistently changing and varied life-threatening situations
• You thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly-shifting work environment 
• A diversity in day to day jobs gives you the energy to perform at your best
• A preparedness to be involved in sometimes varying degrees of physical and emotional trauma in patients – often requiring immediate attention
• Compassion, balance and desire to aid, heal and soothe patients in traumatic circumstances
• Have a sound mental preparedness to deal with situations that can be difficult, overwhelming or confronting, with likelihood of experiencing significant suffering or death
• Prepared to handle frontline work, including situations such as during a pandemic
• Have an interest in research and other pathways offered by emergency medicine

 

What Salary to Expect for a Emergency Medical Doctor Career

As a base starting salary, emergency medical junior doctors can expect a salary around $80,000. A senior emergency doctor qualified as a FACEM will likely earn between $300,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on the location of work, be it city, suburban, regional, rural or remote. As a locum emergency medicine doctor, a Registrar will generally earn between $120 to $160 per hour, and a FACEM qualified emergency medicine specialist could earn between $2,000 to $3,500 per day. 

 

Choosing Emergency Medicine as a Unique and Rewarding Career

The exciting first steps towards a career in emergency medicine is a rewarding and satisfying path to building a strong base to your chosen profession. Succeeding as an emergency medicine doctor relies on a great range of skills, both professional and personal. These skills will evidently grow with your career as you contribute to your community, building knowledge and experiences that will stand you in good stead for any challenge that the emergency department can throw your way. 

 

Jon & Jon Medical have a breadth of experience in connecting medical personnel with unique job opportunities throughout Australia. If the emergency medical career path sounds like the one for you, contact Jon & Jon Medical today to learn about available opportunities to diversify your medical career path.