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Tim, Physician at Outpatient Practice: Advize Career Interview
A physician at an outpatient practice reveals a fascinating career journey, starting with initial engineering aspirations and culminating in a fulfilling role helping patients.
The daily routine involves seeing numerous patients, managing prescriptions, and handling inquiries, demanding adaptability and strong collaboration skills.
While the day-to-day can be chaotic, the profound reward of improving lives outweighs the challenges. The work offers unexpected enrichment, connecting with diverse and interesting individuals.
Aspiring medical professionals should know that the path isn't always linear, with residency requiring significant time commitment.
Entry-level opportunities exist in labs, as medical assistants, or through volunteering, but diverse experiences outside the medical field can prove valuable.
A supportive undergraduate lab environment, fostering connections and peer support, is highlighted as a key contributor to success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tim Allen
Physician
Outpatient Practice
Texas Tech University - 2013
University of Texas Medical Branch - MD
Spanish & Other Languages, Chemistry
Healthcare
Medical
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Career Path Of A Physician At Outpatient Practice
Tim initially considered engineering before deciding on medical school midway through college, a research fellowship in their junior year solidifying this choice. Following graduation, a brief stint in a lab preceded medical school, leading to the current position as a physician in outpatient practice.
Main Responsibilities Of A Physician At Outpatient Practice
Tim's main responsibilities as a physician in outpatient practice include "showing up to work, helping patients, treating patients," and supporting the broader healthcare team to optimize patient care. This reflects the varied day-to-day nature of the role, shaped by experience in both hospital and outpatient settings during residency.
A Day In The Life Of A Physician At An Outpatient Practice
A physician in outpatient practice typically works a full day, "from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and then goes all day, uh, until about four, sometimes five," seeing "anywhere from 20 to 40 patients," and managing prescriptions and patient inquiries. Weekend "call" duties are also part of the job, but evenings allow for personal time and preparation for the next workday.
Most Important Skills for a Physician at an Outpatient Practice
Adaptability and flexibility are paramount for a physician, as "you never know what's gonna happen," ranging from calm to chaotic days. Successful practitioners must also prioritize collaboration and trust, moving away from a "paternalistic view of medicine" to work effectively with patients and the broader healthcare team.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Physician At Outpatient Practice
Tim, a physician, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is "helping people" and experiencing the "personally gratifying" impact of improving patients' lives and quality of life. The ability to make a tangible difference is what makes the work meaningful, even though there are instances where helping is not possible.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Physician At Outpatient Practice
Tim, a physician at an outpatient practice, identifies "managing the chaos of the day-to-day basis" as the biggest challenge. The overwhelming nature of a constantly updating to-do list necessitates improved time management to ensure task completion and patient satisfaction.
Favorite Parts Of Working In An Outpatient Practice As A Physician
Tim's favorite aspect of working in outpatient practice is the diverse and unexpected patient population; meeting "some of the coolest patients ever," including individuals with fascinating connections, such as a friend of the N95 mask inventor and the creator of MiraLax, makes the work surprisingly enriching.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Healthcare Industry According To A Physician At An Outpatient Practice
The healthcare industry offers diverse roles, from minimal to extensive patient interaction, allowing a wide range of personalities to thrive; a key factor for success is entering the field with the "right reason," as the significant rewards of helping others and the trust placed in medical professionals are substantial.
What A Physician At Outpatient Practice Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Medical Industry
Tim, a physician, reflects that residency demands significant time commitment, exceeding "80 hours a week" and impacting personal life events during "mid to late twenties". This necessitates prioritizing major life events, accepting unavoidable sacrifices.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Physicians
Entry-level medical field positions for undergraduates include "lab researchers," "medical assistants," and "volunteering" in medical offices, but Tim emphasizes that diverse prior experiences—from "elementary school teachers" to "consultants"—can enrich a medical career path, proving that "no one really knows their pathway to get into medicine."
Significant Career Lesson From a Physician at Outpatient Practice
A significant career lesson learned is that the path to a goal is rarely linear; "you'll never actually know" the right way until the destination is reached, and obstacles encountered along the way, while changing the route, do not necessarily preclude the original goal. Unexpected detours, in fact, may ultimately prove to be part of a larger plan, as "everything does happen for a reason".
College Experiences That Helped a Physician At An Outpatient Practice Succeed
Tim's undergraduate success stemmed from a valuable lab experience, creating "connections across" the university and lasting relationships with fellow students, even impacting their medical school journey and career. The lab provided a supportive environment where Tim could discuss challenges with peers, describing it as a useful "venting session".
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