Arzt/Ärztin

Information offers from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit): Film on Human Medicine, further information offers (aerzteblatt.de, Ärzte Zeitung - Online Magazin, AWMF online - Portal of Scientific Medicine, Das Gesundheitswesen, DMW Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, e:Med Systemmedizin, MEDI-LEARN - For Medical Students, Applicants & Young Doctors, Springer Medizin - The Specialist Portal for Doctors, Via medici, Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen (ZEFQ)).

The use of the Metaverse in medical education and personalized medicine are significant trends shaping the future of the medical profession. The Metaverse creates virtual training environments using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), enabling realistic practice of complex procedures and critical situations. This technology facilitates global collaboration and knowledge exchange. Personalized medicine aims to develop more accurate diagnostic and treatment methods by considering the individual characteristics of patients.

To succeed in this Studium (university degree) profession, theoretical-abstract, social-advisory, and practical-concrete interests are important. Theoretical-abstract interest includes activities such as assessing patients' physical and psychological situations, analyzing the effects of therapeutic measures, and developing therapeutic approaches. Social-advisory interest encompasses informing patients, empathizing with them, and sensitively dealing with relatives. Practical-concrete interest includes performing medical examinations.

Doctors primarily work in examination and treatment rooms, consultation and patient rooms, and offices. Additionally, they may also work in private homes (for house calls), in laboratories (e.g., for research projects), and in lecture halls or classrooms (for teaching activities).

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university degree) include anatomy, diagnosis, health prevention, homeopathy, human medicine, indication, naturopathy, patient care, physiology, and therapy. Further competencies that may be important for this profession include general medicine, disease management programs (DMP), discharge management, creating specialist publications, case coding (ICD, OPS), research, expert appraisal, hospital information systems (KIS), hospital law, teaching (university), medical documentation, pharmacology, practice management systems (PVS), quality management, rehabilitation, X-ray certificate, radiation protection training, telemedicine, video consultations, and lecturing. Specialist medical fields and health administration software are also relevant competency groups.

The progressive digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. Doctors may have the opportunity to deal with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Augmented Reality Operations (e.g., performing medical procedures with data glasses to display patients' vital signs), Electronic Patient File - ePA (e.g., electronically recording and transmitting medical diagnoses, lab values, and other health data), Vaccination Management Platforms (e.g., entering completed vaccinations and sending reminders for second or booster vaccinations), AI Agents (e.g., tasking AI agents with collecting and entering patient data; querying information from previously entered patient data via voice input), AI-based Medical Systems.

Doctors need empathy and the ability to listen when communicating with patients and their relatives. Dealing with patients requires a high degree of responsibility. Careful, precise, and concentrated work is essential during examinations, treatments, and documentation tasks. They must be able to cope with psychological stress, for example, in cases of severe illness or the death of a patient. In all situations, they observe medical confidentiality. Doctors work closely with their medical superiors (senior physician, chief physician, practice owner) as well as with other doctors and with medical and nursing staff. Clear expression and communication skills are indispensable in this collaboration. Doctors use both medical instruments and medical technology devices. They take necessary precautions to protect themselves and patients from infections.

Example gross basic salary according to collective agreement in the public service sector (monthly): 5,610 € to 7,211 €. Source: Collective agreement for doctors at municipal hospitals within the scope of the Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (TV-Ärzte/VKA). This information is for orientation purposes only and no claims can be derived from it.

Healthcare: Hospitals (e.g., specialized clinics, university hospitals, rehabilitation centers), outpatient care services (e.g., elderly and sick care services), specialist practices (also: practice networks, medical care centers), provision of services by medical laboratories, rescue and patient transport services, other healthcare not elsewhere classified (e.g., occupational health departments in companies). Social services: Nursing homes, other residential care facilities not elsewhere classified (e.g., hospices, short-term care facilities). Also conceivable: Universities, universities of applied sciences, vocational and technical academies (e.g., medical institutes at university hospitals), pharmacy (e.g., evaluation of clinical tests within the scope of drug trials), public administration (e.g., health authorities for public health administration).

The exercise of this profession is regulated. One needs: a university degree in Humanmedizin (human medicine) completed with a Staatsexamen (state examination), and the ärztliche Approbation (medical license) or the granting of permission to practice the medical profession according to the Bundesärzteordnung (Federal Medical Practitioners' Act).

Humanmedizin (undergraduate)

Doctors primarily find employment in doctors' practices and clinics, in health and rehabilitation centers, hospices, and with elderly and sick care services. Furthermore, they also find employment in medical research and teaching, in the pharmaceutical industry, at health authorities, health insurance companies, and medical associations.

Job Title: Doctor. Other common job titles/synonyms: Human Medicine Specialist. Job titles in English: Medical doctor (m/f), Medical practitioner (m/f), Physician (m/f). Job title in French: Médecin (m/f).

If applicable, proof of expertise according to the Radiation Protection Ordinance and regular continuing education in the field according to professional regulations are required. Employees in community and medical facilities born after 1970 must provide proof of their measles vaccination or immunity in accordance with the Infection Protection Act.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. Additionally, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this Studium (university degree) profession: Willingness to perform and commit (e.g., willingness to take on additional shifts, night, or on-call duties in hospitals during staff shortages), diligence (e.g., precise and accurate work during examinations, medication dosage, or surgical procedures), sense of responsibility and willingness (e.g., considering and carefully weighing the effects and side effects of medications), decision-making ability (e.g., quickly deciding on treatments, especially in life-threatening situations), independent working style (e.g., independently conducting examinations).

Doctors examine patients, collect findings, make diagnoses, plan therapeutic measures, and perform medical treatments and interventions.

Job and applicant exchanges: aerztestellen.de, DocCheck Jobs, fachaerztejobs.de, Fédération Hospitalière de France, Gesundheit.Jobs, hospital-jobs.ch, kliniken.de, krankenhaus-stellen.de, medicaltopjobs.de, Medi-Karriere, medizinerkarriere.de, Medizinischer-Stellenmarkt.de, med-jobs, praktischArzt, valmedi.de.

Associations and organizations: Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW), Bundesärztekammer, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Deutscher Ärztinnenbund e.V., Hartmannbund - Verband der Ärztinnen und Ärzte Deutschlands e.V., Marburger Bund, MFT Medizinischer Fakultätentag der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, Verband der Universitätsklinika Deutschlands e.V. (VUD), Virchowbund - Verband der niedergelassenen Ärztinnen und Ärzte Deutschlands e.V., World Health Organization (WHO).

Doctors bear responsibility for individuals (e.g., maintaining medical confidentiality, administering medication) and deal with sick and injured people. They may encounter emotionally demanding situations and activities (e.g., dealing with patients' pain, fears, and shame). Precision and fine motor skills are required (e.g., stitching lacerations). In clinics and hospitals, they work in groups and teams with other doctors and medical/nursing staff. They use technical devices, machines, and systems (e.g., ultrasound machines and X-ray machines). Screen work is also involved (e.g., preparing prescriptions, doctor's letters, and expert opinions, accessing and editing patient files with special practice software). They wear protective clothing and equipment. They work in medical facilities/practices and have close physical contact with people. There is a risk of infection (observing hygiene regulations, working with disinfectants and sterilizers). On-call duty and shift work are also part of this profession.

Professional deployment opportunities for doctors are categorized by fields of activity: Medical diagnostics and therapy, homeopath, teaching at universities, study program coordinator, lecturer at universities and academies. Social and health management, operating room manager, process and product development, head of research and development, medical advisor, clinical studies referent (CRA), regulatory affairs manager, scientific research, research referent, head of a research group, clinical investigator, and scientific employee.

At the heart of doctors' work are people, some with serious illnesses. To treat these professionally, the following working materials are used: Medical devices, apparatus, and medical products, such as: blood pressure monitors, ultrasound machines, ECG and EEG devices, ventilators, X-ray machines, stethoscopes, syringes, scalpels, dressing materials, disinfectants, and sterilizers. Medications in various forms, such as: injections, infusions, tablets, ointments, suppositories. Documents, such as: patient files, prescriptions, findings, doctor's letters, medical expert opinions, patient and care directives, power of attorney, specialist publications, legal regulations (e.g., hygiene and data protection regulations). Office equipment and data management systems, such as: PC, internet access, telephone, patient databases.

Doctors work in various areas of medical specialties or in doctor's offices. After taking the medical history, they examine patients, diagnose their illnesses, and inform them about findings and treatment options. They also treat them, advise them on health prevention, and perform interventions if necessary. In addition, they handle organizational and administrative tasks and provide immediate assistance in emergency services. In research, they participate in studies, while in the pharmaceutical industry, they work in human pharmacology or drug safety.

Continuing education (Anpassungsweiterbildung) is indispensable to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in areas such as human medicine, naturopathy, alternative therapies, or hygiene). For doctors, continuing education for job-related adaptation is legally required. Through an additional continuing education (Zusatz-Weiterbildung), one can specialize and acquire further qualifications that entitle one to carry an additional title, e.g., Medical Quality Management, Medical Informatics, Emergency Medicine. Further information: (Model) Continuing Education Regulations of the German Medical Association (Working Group of German Medical Associations) 2018, as amended on 03.07.2025. Furthermore, trends such as telemedicine or artificial intelligence can develop into important continuing education topics for doctors. The use of the metaverse for medical education also offers continuing education potential.

Further training for career advancement (Aufstiegsweiterbildung), typically a specialist medical training (Facharztweiterbildung), offers the opportunity to specialize in certain fields, sub-fields, and areas after receiving the Approbation (medical license) (e.g., as a specialist in internal medicine, specialist in cardiac surgery, specialist in pediatrics and adolescent medicine). A further course of study (weiterführendes Studium) opens up additional career opportunities (e.g., through a master's degree in health management, health economics, or medical informatics). A doctorate is generally required for a scientific career at a university; for appointment as a university professor, a habilitation (postdoctoral lecturing qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, in research, and in public administration.

Determine the clinical picture, take anamnesis, perform measurements and examinations (e.g., measure pulse, temperature, blood pressure; draw blood; identify pathological changes in the body and movements; auscultate heart and respiratory organs; perform ultrasound, X-ray, ECG, EEG, CT, endoscopy examinations). Perform or arrange laboratory examinations (e.g., of urine, stool, blood, or secretions). Make diagnoses and prognosticate the course of the disease. Treat and inform patients. Conduct ward rounds. Inform and advise patients about diagnoses, therapies, and costs. Prescribe treatments such as physiotherapy or radiation, or medications. Perform treatments (e.g., dress wounds, apply bandages and splints; perform punctures, injections, infusions, transfusions; catheterize). Take intensive care measures; perform surgical interventions. Follow up with patients; medically accompany critically ill individuals. Act in emergency situations.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of doctor: In the field of health consulting and promotion, one can work as a health promoter/educator. Commonalities: Informing about health topics, advising on health issues, developing and implementing measures for health promotion and prevention. In the field of social and health management, one can work as a health manager or public health scientist/gerontologist. Commonalities: Taking on consulting, organizational, and management tasks in the healthcare system, developing and implementing measures for health promotion and prevention. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional training.

Doctors examine patients, collect findings, diagnose diseases, determine therapeutic measures, and perform medical treatments and interventions. Anamnesis, examination, and diagnosis: Whether they work as an assistant doctor in a clinic, taking on tasks in a specific medical specialty (e.g., surgery, internal medicine, or radiology), or are employed in the practice of a self-employed doctor, doctors first question patients about their complaints and medical history. Then they perform examinations: For example, they measure pulse and blood pressure, palpate body areas, or examine with ultrasound. With a stethoscope, they listen to heart sounds and breathing noises. Depending on which illness they suspect, they order tests such as blood draws and examinations, EKGs, X-rays, lung function tests, or computed tomographies. This way, they narrow down the range of possible diseases.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this (Studium) degree profession. Abilities: Figural-spatial thinking (e.g., understanding and interpreting X-rays, computed tomographies, or ultrasound images). Observational accuracy (e.g., early detection of diseases through preventive examinations and careful evaluation of examination results). Memory (e.g., remembering individuals and their medical history). Adaptability (e.g., quickly switching between different activities and patients). Finger dexterity (e.g., giving injections; suturing lacerations). Manual dexterity (e.g., performing medical examinations, such as measuring pulse and blood pressure, palpating body areas). Reaction speed (e.g., correct and quick reaction in medical emergencies, especially in life-threatening situations). Eye-hand coordination (e.g., performing endoscopic and image-guided treatments).

Federal level: Federal Medical Practitioners' Act (BundesärzteO), last amended by Article 1 of the law of 20.03.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I No. 99). (Model) Professional Code for Doctors Working in Germany - MBO-Ä 1997 - in the version of the resolution of the 128th German Medical Congress 2024 in Mainz. Legally binding is the professional code of the respective State Medical Chamber of which one is a member. (Model) Further Training Regulations of the German Medical Association (Working Group of German Medical Chambers) 2018 in the version of 03.07.2025. Legally binding is the further training regulations of the respective State Medical Chamber of which one is a member. Ordinance on Protection against the Harmful Effects of Ionizing Radiation (Strahlenschutzverordnung - StrlSchV) of 29.11.2018 (BGBl. I p. 2034), last amended by Article 10 of the law of 23.10.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I No. 324). State level: Professional representation, professional duties, further training, and professional jurisdiction are regulated in state laws. Equivalence of foreign qualifications.

The exercise of the profession may entail the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Resilience of the spine, legs, arms, and hands (e.g., standing for long periods during examinations and treatments). Robust health (e.g., contact with infectious people). Functionality of arms and hands (e.g., working with medical instruments). Fine motor skills of hands and fingers (e.g., performing blood draws; precision and delicate work in applying minimally invasive surgical methods). Undisturbed speech ability (e.g., advising patients; explaining diagnoses and treatments). Near vision - even corrected (e.g., reading medical devices; performing operations). Color vision (e.g., evaluating colored representations in an ultrasound examination). Spatial vision (e.g., performing interventions guided by imaging procedures). Hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., during anamnesis).

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the initial profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the initial profession. Some alternative professions only cover partial activities of the initial profession; others may require a training period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of doctor: Job and staffing alternatives for partial activities and professional deployment possibilities (with/without training): Assistant doctor, doctor in further training. With a lower qualification level: Physician assistant. A list of all possible degrees of relatedness can be found on BERUFENET.

The activity as a doctor is regulated. According to the Federal Medical Practitioners' Act (BundesärzteO) and the Licensing Regulations for Doctors (ÄApprO), the Approbation (professional license) is required for unrestricted activity as a doctor in Germany. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, professional recognition (Anerkennung) is necessary. The determination of equivalence with the German qualification is a mandatory prerequisite for granting the Approbation. Information on the recognition procedure is available on the German government's information portal for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Competent authorities are state (Bundesland) authorities, e.g., State Offices for Health and Social Affairs, District Governments, or Regional Councils.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing the profession. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional deployment possibility. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Limited resilience of the spine, legs, arms, and hands (e.g., standing for long periods during examinations and treatments). Susceptibility to infection, chronic infectious diseases (e.g., contact with infectious people). Limited functionality of the arms and hands (e.g., working with medical instruments). Limited fine motor skills of the hands and fingers (e.g., performing blood draws; precision and delicate work when applying minimally invasive surgical methods). Speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., advising patients; explaining diagnoses and treatments). Uncorrectable visual impairment for near vision (e.g., reading medical devices; performing operations). Color blindness.

The following additional staffing alternative is available for the profession of doctor: Field of activity Medical Diagnostics and Therapy, Officer in the Medical Service. Commonalities: Examining patients and making diagnoses, determining therapy measures and treating patients, advising patients, e.g., regarding health prevention. Note: The mentioned staffing alternative may require a training period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case.