The most common general medicine jobs are those of general physician, nurse, medical assistant, nurse’s aid, and billing specialist. A general medicine physician has a broad area of practice that focuses on internal organs and a wide range of illnesses. Family practice physicians are often general medicine doctors. Nurses, aids, and other professionals who work in a general practitioner’s practice also work to help to a broad spectrum of patients.
When most people think about general medicine jobs, they usually think of a general practitioner or physician. This is a doctor who attended college and medical school but who usually did not specialize in one particular field of medicine after his or her residency. In most cases a general practitioner treats adults, although some family practice doctors may also treat children. These doctors are typically trained in performing tasks in various fields of medicine, but they do not handle highly specialized treatments. For instance, most general medicine doctors perform routine gynecological exams, but they do not usually handle more complicated female reproductive issues.
Another of the most commonly known general medicine jobs is that of the nurse. Most nurses do not specialize while in school, but some do go on to work within a particular field of medicine through on-the-job training. General practice nurses often work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and emergency rooms. They handle a wide variety of patient care activities, including the administration of drugs and one on one patient care.
Assistants and aides are other types of general medicine jobs. These individuals help the doctors and nurses perform day to day activities so that they can perform their jobs more efficiently. They may do tasks like answer phones, restock supplies, take down patient information. Aides may also help patients to the restroom, change bed sheets, and other tasks.
Billing associates may also be considered general medicine jobs since they are often present in general practitioners' offices and in hospitals. Specialists in billing contact insurance companies and work with patients on payment plans and other issues. They are also responsible for billing patients and insurance companies and keeping track of which patients have paid and which haven’t. Transcriptionists work in many doctors’ offices writing out information regarding patient visits to keep on file.
Training required for general medicine jobs vary widely. Doctors usually train for eight years or more including college, medical school, and residency. Nurses may attend nursing school for two to four years at an accredited school. Other careers may require anything from a six-week training course for some aide professions to a more thorough certification process for billing specialists.