Emergency Medicine Physician

Your Fit

Income

$227K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

2.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Emergency Medicine Physician?

An Emergency Medicine Physician is a medical doctor specialized in emergency medicine, focusing on the immediate decision-making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability. They diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of urgent and acute illnesses and injuries.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Emergency Medicine Physician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Emergency Medicine Physician earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Emergency Medicine Physician.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$86K per year	NA per year	$227K per year	NA per year	$440K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $162K above the national average.

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What does an Emergency Medicine Physician do?

Work environment

Emergency Medicine Physicians work primarily in the emergency departments of hospitals and trauma centers. Their work environment is fast-paced and can be high-stress, dealing with a wide range of medical emergencies. Shifts often include nights, weekends, and holidays, reflecting the 24/7 nature of emergency medical care.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats a variety of acute injuries and illnesses.
Performs emergency medical procedures, such as intubations, central line placements, and suturing.
Coordinates care with other medical professionals and specialists.
Makes quick, life-saving decisions under pressure.
Documents patient care and maintains patient confidentiality.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Specializing in emergency care for infants, children, and adolescents.
Toxicology: Focusing on the treatment of poisoning and overdose cases.
Ultrasonography: Using ultrasound technology for diagnosis and guidance of treatment.
Sports Medicine: Providing emergency care related to sports injuries.
Disaster Medicine: Specializing in providing care during large-scale emergencies and disasters.

Description

Emergency Medicine Physicians are at the forefront of medical care, often being the first healthcare professionals to assess and treat patients with critical or life-threatening conditions. Their role requires a broad knowledge base and the ability to make quick, accurate decisions. They must be prepared for anything, from minor injuries to complex trauma cases, and be adept at stabilizing patients for further treatment or specialist care.

This profession demands not only medical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills. Emergency Medicine Physicians work with a diverse range of patients and must communicate effectively with both patients and their families, often in stressful or sensitive situations. They also play a key role in coordinating care with other healthcare providers and ensuring seamless patient transitions.

Emergency Medicine is a challenging but rewarding field, offering variety, excitement, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives. Physicians in this field must be adaptable, resilient, and skilled in crisis management, thriving in an environment where no two days are the same.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making critical decisions that can save lives and have immediate positive outcomes.
Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with diverse medical challenges.
Being part of a collaborative team providing essential healthcare services.

You might make a good Emergency Medicine Physician if you are...

Passionate about providing immediate and critical healthcare.
Decisive, with the ability to think quickly and act under pressure.
Resilient and adaptable to high-stress and unpredictable situations.
Skilled in communication and empathetic in patient interactions.
Interested in a wide range of medical conditions and emergency procedures.

Pros:

High level of job satisfaction and personal fulfillment.
Diverse and exciting work environment with unique challenges.
Competitive salary and demand in the healthcare industry.

Cons:

Long and irregular hours with potential for night and weekend shifts.
High-stress situations and the emotional toll of dealing with severe emergencies.
Extensive educational and training requirements.

How to become an Emergency Medicine Physician

Typical education

In Canada, becoming an Emergency Medicine Physician typically requires completing four years of undergraduate education and four years of medical school, followed by postgraduate training through one of two pathways. Physicians may complete a Royal College residency in Emergency Medicine, or a Family Medicine residency with additional Emergency Medicine training. Depending on the pathway, this results in approximately 10-13 years of post-secondary education and medical training, followed by national certification and provincial licensure.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced science courses (biology, chemistry, physics) to build a strong foundation.
Mathematics for developing analytical skills.
Health and anatomy classes to gain basic medical knowledge.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteer at hospitals or clinics to gain exposure to the medical field.
Participate in first aid or emergency response training programs.
Join health science or pre-med clubs to explore interests in medicine.

Preparation after high school

Complete a bachelor's degree with a strong foundation in science and pre-medical coursework.
Attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
Complete postgraduate training in emergency medicine, either through a Royal College Emergency Medicine residency, or a Family Medicine residency followed by additional emergency medicine training.
Obtain specialty certification through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and meet provincial licensing requirements.
Pursue fellowship training for further specialization, if desired.

More resources

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) - Professional organization offering resources, education, and advocacy.
American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) - Provides certification information and resources for emergency medicine physicians.
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) - Offers educational resources and research opportunities in emergency medicine.
Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA) - A resource for residents and medical students interested in emergency medicine.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.