What does a family physician do?
Family physicians are physicians educated and trained in family practice—a broadly encompassing medical specialty. Family physicians provide continuing and comprehensive medical care, health maintenance and preventive services to each member of the family, regardless of sex, age or type of problem—biological, behavioral or social.
What might a family physician do in a workday?
Family practice is a three-dimensional specialty, incorporating the dimensions of knowledge, skill, and process. While knowledge and skill may be shared with other specialties, the family practice process is unique. At the center of this process is the patient-physician relationship. It is the extent to which this relationship is valued, developed, and nurtured that distinguishes family practice from all other specialties.
Family physicians:
- teach patients about their own health and wellness needs, as well as those of their children. Also, they track children’s growth and development.
- treat patients suffering from common acute health problems such as respiratory infections, flu, sports injuries, back pain, and minor trauma (lacerations and sprains).
- examine and diagnose patients using clinical skills, medical equipment, instruments, and tests.
- prescribe and administer drugs and treatments.
- immunize patients against preventable and communicable diseases.
- provide ongoing treatment for those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, arthritis, or cardiac conditions.
- care for patients with complex medical problems, either alone or in consultation with medical or surgical subspecialists.
- perform outpatient procedures, such as dermatological procedures, minor surgeries, etc.
Developing a Career as a Family Physician:
Most family physicians work in private offices, hospitals, and clinics. They may work alone or with other physicians and are usually aided by nurses, technicians, and other support personnel.
How much does a family physician earn?
- $145,000 - $180,000
How do I become a family physician?
Students interested in becoming a family physician should take the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, and English, including advanced placement courses.
To enter medical school, students must have a bachelor’s degree with a high grade point average in a premedical program or other related major. They must pass a national examination (MCAT) and undergo extensive interviews.
Upon completion of medical school, students enter a three-year postgraduate training program in family medicine (internship and residency), during which they receive training specific to family practice.
Where else can I learn about becoming a family physician?
Virginia Academy of Family Physicians
1503 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 207 / Richmond, VA 23229
tel: (804) 968-5200 / web: www.vafp.org
Medical Society of Virginia
2924 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 300 / Richmond, VA 23294-3746
tel: (800) 746-6768 / web: www.msv.org
American Academy of Family Physicians
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway / Leawood, KS 66211-2672
tel: (913) 906-6000 or (800) 274-2237 / web: www.aafp.org
State License Requirements for Family Physicians:
A license is required to practice as a Physician in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications, and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/medicine.
Virginia Board of Medicine
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4600 / Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Educational Institutions in Virginia for Family Physicians:
What does a pediatrician do?
Pediatricians are physicians who specialize in the care and treatment of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, from birth to age 21. They are expert in all areas of a child’s physical and emotional growth and development.
What might a pediatrician do in a workday?
- teach parents about the health and wellness needs of their children, including regular examinations, immunizations, nutrition, and physical, mental, and emotional development.
- track each child’s growth and development and take action if problems arise.
- treat common childhood illnesses and injuries, such as ear infections and minor lacerations.
- examine and diagnose patients, sometimes using medical equipment, instruments, and tests.
- prescribe and administer drugs and treatments.
- provide ongoing treatment and monitoring for those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, or cardiac conditions.
- immunize children to protect them from preventable, communicable diseases, such as chicken pox, polio, measles, and hepatitis.
- care for children with complex medical problems, alone or in consultation with pediatric medical subspecialists or surgical specialists.
Developing a Career as a Pediatrician:
Most pediatricians work in private offices, hospitals, and clinics. They may work alone or with other physicians and are usually aided by nurses, technicians, and clerks. They also are involved in teaching and research in academic centers, as well as in the guidance of community health care in national, state, and local governments and agencies and in advocacy for children and families.
How much does a pediatrician earn?
- $156,000 - $208,050
How do I become a pediatrician?
Students interested in becoming a pediatrician should take the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, and English, including advanced placement courses.
To enter medical school, students must have received a bachelor’s degree with a high grade point average in a premedical program or other related major. They must pass a national examination (MCAT) and undergo extensive interviews.
Upon completion of medical school, physicians interested in pediatrics enter postgraduate education (internship and residency) during which they receive at least three years of specialized education and practice in the field of pediatrics. Those who wish to further specialize may undertake up to three more years of education in fields such as pediatric emergency medicine.
Where else can I learn about becoming a pediatrician?
Medical Society of Virginia
2924 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 300 / Richmond, VA 23294-3746
tel: (800) 746-6768 / web: www.msv.org
Virginia Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
2201 W. Broad Street, Suite 205 / Richmond, VA 23220
tel: (804) 622-8135 / web: www.virginiapediatrics.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard / Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
tel: (847) 434-4000 / web: www.aap.org
State License Requirements for Pediatrician:
A license is required to practice as a Physician in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications, and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/medicine.
Virginia Board of Medicine
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4600 / Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Educational Institutions in Virginia for Pediatrician:
What does a surgical assistant do?
Physicians and other primary care providers often depend upon a variety of trained technologists, aides and assistants. A description of a surgical assistant follows:
Surgical assistants aid the surgeon in performing surgical procedures, positioning patients for surgery, draping and preparing the operative site, and retracting and exposing the operative field during the procedure. The surgical assistant secures the best possible exposure of the anatomy incident to the operative procedure. The skilled surgical assistant anticipates the moves and needs of the surgeon.
What might a surgical assistant do in a workday?
- confirm procedures with surgeons.
- determine specific equipment needed per procedure.
- review permit to confirm procedure and special needs.
- clamp and cut tissue per surgeon’s directive.
- maintain integrity of sterile field.
- perform any other duties or procedures incident to the surgical procedure deemed necessary and as directed by the surgeon.
Developing a Career as a Surgical Assistant:
The surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. During the operation, the surgical assistant works under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations. Certified surgical assistants assist in a variety of surgical specialties.
How much does a surgical assistant make?
- $50,000 - $75,000
How do I become a surgical assistant?
It is preferred that those interested in becoming a certified surgical assistant complete baccalaureate education in the area of biology, chemistry, nursing, exercise science or allied health. Prior operating experience is not required as an entry requirement to the surgical assisting program.
Where else can I learn about becoming a surgical assistant?
National Surgical Assistant Association
2615 Amesbury Road / Winston-Salem, NC 27103
tel: (336) 768-4443 or (888) 633-0479 / web: www.nsaa.net
Virginia Association of Surgical Assistants
700 West Olney Road / Norfolk, VA 23507-1607
tel: (757) 446-6100
American Board of Surgical Assistants
26221 E. Kettle Circle / Aurora, CO 80016-2020
tel: (303) 617-8345 or (877) 617-8345 / web: www.absa.net
American College of Surgeons
633 North Saint Clair Street / Chicago, IL 60611-3211
tel: (800) 621-4111 / web: www.facs.org
Educational Institutions in Virginia for Surgical Assistants:
What does a nurse practitioner do?
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses whose advanced training and graduate education enable them to provide high-level primary care to people of all ages. They work in collaboration with physicians and other health professionals. With the increased need for primary care providers, there is a particularly high demand for nurse practitioners nationally and across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
What might a nurse practitioner do in a workday?
- take detailed health histories and perform complete physical exams.
- diagnose patients and decide treatment plans.
- treat common acute conditions, illnesses, or minor injuries.
- provide health management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
- prescribe medications.
- counsel patients and their families on preventive care, health problems, and treatment alternatives.
Developing a Career as a Nurse Practitioner:
Nurse practitioners sometimes specialize in one or more areas, such as acute care, pediatrics, adult, family, women’s, geriatric, or school health. Depending on their interests, nurse practitioners may work in private medical offices, clinics, schools, health maintenance organizations, health departments, or hospitals. Some have their own private practices.
How much does a nurse practitioner earn?
- $71,000 - $84,000
How do I become a nurse practitioner?
Students interested in becoming certified nurse practitioners should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses.
To become a nurse practitioner, students must first complete education and training to be a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse. In addition, they must complete an accredited master’s degree program, which includes 24 months of course work and 800 hours of clinical experience, and pass certification examinations. Nurse practitioner programs are graduate-level programs.
Where else can I learn about becoming a nurse practitioner?
Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners
250 W. Main Street, Suite 100 / Charlottesville, VA 22902
tel: (434) 977-3716 / web: www.vcnp.net
Virginia Nurses Association
7113 Three Chopt Road / Richmond, VA 23226
tel: (804) 282-1808 / web: www.virginianurses.com
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
P.O. Box 12846 / Austin, TX 78711
tel: (512) 442-4262 / web: www.aanp.org
American College of Nurse Practitioners
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 525 / Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: (703) 740-2529 / web: www.acnpweb.org
State License Requirements for Nurse Practitioner:
A license is required to practice as a nurse practitioner in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications, and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing.
Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4515 / Email: nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov
Educational Institutions in Virginia for Nurse Practitioners:
What does a surgical technologist do?
A surgical technologist (also called operating room technician) assists surgical teams before, during, and after surgery. Many have training and experience as nurses’ aides or licensed practical nurses.
What might a surgical technologist do in a workday?
- helping surgical teams scrub and put on gloves and masks.
- washing/shaving and preparing patients for surgery.
- sterilizing equipment and operating rooms.
- passing instruments to the surgical team.
- helping hold retractors and cutting sutures.
- operating equipment, such as lights and suction machine.
- taking inventory of tools used during surgery (e.g. sponges, needles).
How much does a surgical technologist earn?
- $22,000 - $30,000
How do I become a surgical technologist?
Students interested in surgical technologist careers should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English. Those interested in becoming medical assistants also should consider courses in secretarial skills, computer training, and bookkeeping. Most of these professions require certification, which includes completing educational requirements and passing an exam specific to the career.
Where else can I learn about becoming a surgical technologist?
Association of Surgical Technologists
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite 200 / Littleton, CO 80120
tel: (303) 694-9130 or (800) 637-7433 / web: www.ast.org
Educational Institutions in Virginia for Surgical Technologists:
- ECPI University of Technology
- Fortis College
- Lord Fairfax Community College - Fauquier Campus
- Miller-Motte Technical College
- National College
- Paul D. Camp Community College - Franklin Campus
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Virginia College
- Virginia Western Community College
- Winchester Medical Center
- Sentara College of Health Sciences
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
- Riverside School of Health Careers
