About This Career

Provides medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Treats diseases of female organs.
• Cares for and treats women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
• Analyzes records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
• Performs cesarean sections or other surgical procedures as needed to preserve patients' health and deliver babies safely.
• Collects, records, and maintains patient information, such as medical histories, reports, or examination results.
• Explains procedures and discusses test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
• Prescribes or administers therapy, medication, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
• Monitors patients' conditions and progress and reevaluates treatments as necessary.
• Consults with or provides consulting services to other physicians.
• Directs and coordinates activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overtime work
• Weekend work