Medical Officer
What's it like to be a Medical Officer?
Medical Officers (also known as a Doctor or a Physician) is the level a medical professional reaches after finishing their one-year internship or housemanship duties, after graduating from medical school. A Medical Officer is a fully registered professional under the Singapore Medical Council, and is expected to perform a range of duties and responsibilities that help with the efficient and effective functioning of a medical institution, such as a hospital. They see patients and are in charge of their healthcare management, collaborating with other healthcare professionals such as Nurses and under the supervision of Senior Doctors. Medical Officers can prescribe treatment plans, provide clinical diagnoses to patients, engage in patient consultations, and perform urgent medical services in case of emergencies.
Tasks and duties
- Conducting comprehensive patient evaluations, including physical examinations.
- Taking the medical history of a patient.
- Diagnosing medical conditions and formulating appropriate treatment plans.
- Prescribing medications and recommending lifestyle modifications to patients based on their diagnosis.
- Monitoring and managing the progress of patients under care.
- Providing medical consultations to educate patients about their conditions and treatment options.
- Responding to emergency medical situations and delivering immediate care.
- Documenting diagnoses, treatment plans, and progress notes in medical records.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to develop multidisciplinary treatment strategies.
- Participating in continuous medical education to stay updated with medical advancements.
- Upholding legal and ethical standards, ensuring patient confidentiality and informed consent.
- Providing guidance and supervision to junior medical staff when applicable.
How to become a Medical Officer
To become a Medical Officer, you must enrol in medical school and graduate with a degree in medicine.
Graduate with a (MBBS) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree, which will equip you with the knowledge in medical sciences needed to pursue your career as a doctor. Alternatively, you may choose to enter medical school at the graduate level after finishing a bachelor or honours degree.
Perform your one-year internship or housemanship at a medical institution.
Secure your registration at the Singapore Medical Council, the regulatory board of Singapore’s medical profession. This will qualify you to work as an SMC-registered medical officer.
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