SPECIALIST MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS diagnose and treat physical and mental diseases and disorders using specialist testing, diagnostic, medical and surgical techniques. Medical Registrars who are training as Specialist Medical Practitioners are included in this unit group.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one years hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training.
Tasks Include:
§diagnosing diseases and disorders by examining patients referred from other medical practitioners, using the results of laboratory and other tests
§taking blood and tissue samples, examining tissue, performing microscopic examination of bacterial cultures, using X-ray and other such imaging methods for diagnostic purposes
§prescribing and administering medication
§administering anaesthetic and monitoring patients throughout surgical procedures and post-operative periods
§operating on patients using specialised surgical procedures
§treating diseases and disorders of the skin
§treating organic or congenital diseases and disorders of the eye
§treating medical and developmental diseases and disorders in children and adolescents
§providing obstetric and gynaecological care
§consulting with patients to assess the nature of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders
§examining internal structure and organs using radiological techniques
§maintaining close liaison with other personnel caring for the patient Occupations: 2312-11 Anaesthetist
2312-13 Dermatologist
2312-15 Emergency Medicine Specialist 2312-17 Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 2312-19 Ophthalmologist
2312-21 Paediatrician 2312-23 Pathologist 2312-25 Specialist Physician 2312-27 Psychiatrist 2312-29 Radiologist 2312-31 Surgeon
2312-79 Specialist Medical Practitioners nec
2312-11 Anaesthetist
Administers anaesthetics to prevent pain and maintain major body function throughout surgical and related procedures.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines patients to determine appropriate anaesthetic and sedation in concurrence with physicians and surgeons
§administers inhalation, intravenous, spinal and other anaesthetics
§monitors patients throughout surgical procedures and in immediate post-operative procedures
§records details of anaesthetic and sedation administered, and the condition of the patient before, during and after anaesthesia
§liaises with other health care workers to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic pain and to diagnose or treat patients requiring intensive care or resuscitation
2312-13 Dermatologist
Provides diagnostic, treatment and preventative medical services related to human skin disorders.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§diagnoses and treats skin disorders including infections, genetic diseases of the skin, neoplastic disease, parasitic conditions and inflammatory and auto-immune disease
§diagnoses allergic and irritant skin conditions
§conducts microscopic and macroscopic examinations, and skin sensitivity tests
§surgically excises, irradiates and uses cryotherapy for cutaneous malignancies and other growths
§advises patients about the treatment and care of skin
§prescribes and administers treatments and medications, and monitors their effectiveness and side effect profiles
§provides consultancy and treatment services to assist with the
2312-15 Emergency Medicine Specialist Emergency Physician
Diagnoses and manages patients with acute and urgent illness and injury.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§provides specialised emergency medical care to patients of all ages with acute and urgent illness or injury
§treats the full range of acute and urgent physical or behavioural disorders
§examines patients who have acute and urgent illness or injury
§determines extent and nature of illness or injury
§recommends treatment for the diagnosed condition
§coordinates other emergency medical staff to treat patients
§assists in the development and maintenance of emergency medical systems
2312-17 Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Provides diagnostic, treatment and preventative medical services related to disorders of the female genital, urinary, rectal and reproductive organs, and the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines patients to determine medical problems, using physical findings, diagnostic images, laboratory test results, and patient’s statements as diagnostic aids
§prescribes medication, suggests methods of improving hygiene, and determines need for gynaecological surgery
§provides supporting therapy and preparation for childbirth and lactation
§examines blood pressure and urine, monitors the developing foetus and gives advice on nutrition and exercise
§treats complications such as hypertension, infection, depression or threatened abortion
§delivers babies, and performs Caesarean sections and other surgical procedures
§discusses and prescribes contraceptive methods
§may provide advice on sex education, family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
§arranges follow up care of babies by family practitioners, child health clinics and consultant paediatricians
Specialisations:
Gynaecological Oncologist Urogynaecologist
2312-19 Ophthalmologist
Provides diagnostic, treatment and preventative medical services related to diseases, injuries and deficiencies of the human eye and associated structures.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines patients for symptoms indicative of ocular disorders
§performs tests to determine vision loss and the nature and extent of injury, disease or disorder
§performs eye surgery
§instructs patients in remedial eye exercises
§prescribes and administers medications and corrective optical appliances
§may arrange, supervise and fit artificial eyes and other orthotic aids
2312-21 Paediatrician
Provides specialist medical services to children from birth up to and including adolescence.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§diagnoses, treats, manages and prevents medical and developmental disorders in children and adolescents
§promotes positive health and disease prevention in childhood and adolescence
§advises on immunisation against communicable diseases
§advises about preventative health practices
§liaises with other health, education and welfare agencies
§may practice as a general paediatrician or specialise in areas such as paediatric oncology, paediatric cardiology or paediatric neurology
Specialisations:
Neonatologist
Paediatric Thoracic Physician
2312-23 Pathologist
Identifies and diagnoses the presence and stages of diseases and possible sources of infection in body tissues, fluids, secretions and other specimens.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§studies the nature, cause, development and clinical management of diseases in people, and the structural and functional changes caused by them
§prepares, or supervises the preparation of, tissue sections from surgical and diagnostic cases and autopsies
§examines bodily fluids and tissues for the presence and measurement of chemical substances, microbiological organisms, and chemical and other biological responses to disease processes
§examines tissues using scientific techniques and equipment to determine the nature, cause and progress of disease
§performs autopsies to determine causes of death, the nature and extent of disease and injury, and the effect of treatment
§supervises and coordinates the work of technical officers and technicians
§writes reports of findings for use by other medical practitioners and coroners
§may direct the activities of pathology departments in hospitals, private clinics or laboratories, or other locations
Specialisations:
Clinical Cytopathologist Forensic Pathologist Haematologist Immunologist
2312-25 Specialist Physician
Investigates and diagnoses internal human disorders and diseases, and administers treatment.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines patients to determine the nature and extent of problems after referral from general medical practitioners or other specialists
§records medical information and data
§orders laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures
§analyses test and other medical information to make diagnoses
§prescribes and administers drugs and remedial treatment
§reports specified contagious or notifiable diseases to government health or immigration authorities
§may admit or refers patients to hospitals
§may consult other medical specialists Specialisations:
Cardiologist Endocrinologist Gastroenterologist Geriatrician
Infectious Diseases Specialist Intensive Care Physician Medical Oncologist Nephrologist Neurologist
Palliative Medicine Specialist Pulmonary Specialist Renal Specialist Respiratory Physician Rheumatologist Thoracic Specialist
2312-27 Psychiatrist
Diagnoses, treats and prevents human mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§discusses mental and physical problems with patients to determine the nature and extent of mental, emotional or behavioural disorders
§studies patients’ medical and mental histories
§examines patients to determine general physical condition
§orders laboratory tests, imaging, assessment tests and other diagnostic procedures
§examines the results of tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate forms of treatment
§prescribes and administers medication, psychotherapy, or other treatment and rehabilitation programs, and arranges admission to hospitals
§consults and works with other health professionals Specialisations:
Adolescent Psychiatrist
2312-29 Radiologist
Diagnoses and treats diseases of the human body using radiant energies such as X-rays, ultrasound, gamma rays and radio waves.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines internal structures and functions of organ systems using X-rays and other radiant energies
§correlates X-ray findings with other examinations and tests, and interprets images to make diagnoses
§writes reports to accompany photographic records for use by other medical practitioners
§treats internal and external growths by X-rays, high energy sources and natural or man-made radio-isotopes
§administers radio-opaque substances to render internal structures and organs visible on X-ray films or fluoroscopic screens
Specialisations:
Diagnostic Radiologist Nuclear Medicine Specialist Radiation Oncologist Sonologist
2312-31 Surgeon
Performs surgery to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve human body functions and appearance.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§examines patients to determine the necessity of operations, estimate risks to patients and select the best operational procedures
§reviews reports on patients’ general physical condition, reactions to medications and medical histories
§consults with anaesthetists
§performs operations
§examines instruments, equipment, and surgical setup, to ensure that antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed
§instructs other medical, nursing and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients and instrument and equipment requirements
§prescribes post-operative care and observes and investigates patients’ progress
§maintains records of operations performed
§may specialise in particular types of operations Specialisations:
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Neurosurgeon Orthopaedic Surgeon Otorhinolaryngologist Paediatric Surgeon
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Urologist
Vascular Surgeon
2312-79 Specialist Medical Practitioners nec This occupation group covers Specialist Medical Practitioners not elsewhere classified.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one year’s hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Occupations in this group include:
Industrial Medicine Specialist Occupational Medicine Specialist Public Health Physician
Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine