Welcome to this job description for general practitioners! Here you'll find all the information you need to know about this profession, from educational requirements to the skills you'll need. Here's an overview of this leading profession in the healthcare sector.
What is a general practitioner?
The general practitioner is probably the doctor most familiar to the general public, as he or she is the first point of contact for sick citizens. As the cornerstone of the system, they provide primary care to a varied population of all ages, sexes and conditions. Their primary mission is to provide comprehensive care, treating common illnesses, carrying out preventive examinations and referring patients to specialists when this is beyond their remit.
Training and career paths to become a general practitioner
Before applying for a job as a general practitioner, you'll need to complete one of the longest and most challenging academic paths available. This seriosity ensures that the best possible doctors are trained. As in most medical specialties, mistakes must be kept to a minimum, and GPs must be able to adapt to any situation they are presented with. Having defined his or her mission, let's now look at how to become a GP.
To enter the jungle of secondary education, the aspirant must first obtain a general scientific baccalaureate. While other school diplomas can lead to general medical studies, the scientific stream provides the required foundations. Once this first stage has been completed, the student can move on to the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS) or the Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS). One year later, and subject to success, they can enter the two years of general medical studies common to all specialties. At the end of the curriculum, they will sit the final externship exams (EDN and ECOS), the results of which will give them the opportunity to choose their specialty (in order of priority according to ranking). Once they have embarked on their specialization in general medicine, they will have a further 3 years of study under the internship system, enabling them to tackle all aspects of this profession in detail and apply them within French healthcare structures.
If you'd like to find out more, take a look at our general practitioner study sheet!
What's more, while general medicine is a specialty in its own right, some GPs choose to overspecialize in specific areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, sports medicine or emergency medicine, enabling them to respond to the population's specific needs.
Roles and responsibilities of the general practitioner
The GP's roles and responsibilities are varied and cover many aspects of patient health:
- Diagnosis and treatment: diagnosing and treating a wide range of common illnesses and conditions.
- Chronic disease management: monitoring patients suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or asthma.
- Prevention and advice: provides advice on prevention, vaccination and healthy living.
- Care coordination: coordinates care with other health professionals, referring patients to specialists when necessary.
Working environment and daily practice of a general practitioner
Different workplaces
Depending on their status, GPs work in a variety of settings, including..:
- Private practice: as part of a self-employed collaboration or a self-employed status, GPs occupy premises that they manage as they see fit. They can also use the equipment of their choice, and are free to set their own fees in line with the regulations of the sector's agreements.
- Health centers: health centers offer multidisciplinary working environments where GPs collaborate with other health professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists or psychologists. This ensures comprehensive patient care and smoother care coordination.
- Hospitals: GPs can work in hospital outpatient departments or emergency wards. They may be salaried, offering job stability and access to a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Working in a hospital also enables them to manage more complex cases and interact with specialists.
- Teleconsultation : this digitalized practice has become increasingly popular in recent years, not least because of the Covid-19 pandemic. GPs can treat even the most benign cases quickly and easily, and prescribe appropriate treatments. What's more, they can reach isolated populations or those unable to travel easily.
Tools and technologies used in general practice
To auscultate and prescribe the most appropriate treatments, GPs use a wide range of tools, from stethoscopes to blood pressure meters and laboratory testing equipment. What's more, digital technologies such as electronic medical record management software have become indispensable to ensure efficient and secure patient follow-up.
Key skills and qualities required of a general practitioner
As well as mastering the full range of diagnostic, medical and procedural skills, GPs need to be empathetic, good listeners, good communicators, patient and caring. They must also be able to adapt to different patients and environments, and have good organizational skills.
Career opportunities and prospects for a general practitioner
The profession of general practitioner offers many career opportunities. In addition to private practice, GPs can move into teaching, research or positions of responsibility in healthcare organizations.
Salary of a general practitioner
Salary scale and influencing factors
Generally speaking, GPs enjoy a comfortable income, thanks to the many years of study required for their practice. However, remuneration data vary according to the following factors:
- Experience: as in all professions, GPs at the start of their careers earn lower salaries. As they gain experience and build up a loyal patient base, their salaries will automatically increase.
- Geographical location: when setting up a practice, there are a number of criteria to take into account that will influence income. These include the standard of living of the local population, the prices charged by other practitioners, and population density.
- Practice environment: the environment in which a GP works inevitably affects his or her income. For example, a GP working in a private practice will earn more than a salaried GP.
If you'd like to find out more about the average remuneration for this specialist, take a look at our GP salary sheet!
Salary comparisons by region
In France, GP salaries vary from region to region. They are influenced by factors such as population density, standard of living, competition and demand for general medical services.
The regions where GPs enjoy the highest salaries are the most densely populated, as they offer a steady flow of patients. However, the level of competition can be higher, particularly in large conurbations. Finally, within the same city, people's standard of living can vary from one neighborhood to another, further modifying these data.
The regions with the highest average GPsalaries:
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Île-de-France
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Occitanie
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Regions with the lowestaverage GPsalaries:
- Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Centre-Val de Loire
- Corse
- Normandie
In conclusion, the profession of general practitioner is a demanding and rewarding medical specialty that combines technical skills, scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills. GPs play a crucial role in improving and monitoring patients' health. Thanks to technological advances and new treatment methods, this field offers increasingly effective solutions. Those who choose this career embark on a long but fulfilling training course.
This offer may be of interest to you
Jober can accompany you on your next professional adventure. Take a look at our special offer.
General practitioner M/F - Mauguio 34
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Mauguio
A medical establishment in Mauguio, Hérault, is looking for its new general practitioner M/F for a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Working hours to be defined The structure You will be joining a medical facility located in Mauguio, Hérault. The management is independent and runs several medical and ophthalmological centers within a small radius, which means that activity can be pooled and organization is highly flexible. Remuneration - Remuneration of 45% gross of sales Duties - Provide consultations and patient follow-up - Coordinate care with the paramedical team - Participate in the growth and pooling of activity between sites - Refer patients for specialized or surgical care - Ensure rigorous management of medical records and communications - Practice a complementary activity if DU The advantages - Parking available close to premises - Easy tramway access - Break and lunch rooms for practitioners - Pooling of activities between several nearby centers - Structured paramedical team to facilitate consultation flow - Possibility of performing surgery through a clinical partnership The little extra Mauguio enjoys a privileged location between Montpellier and the Mediterranean coast, offering rapid access to beaches, leisure areas and Montpellier-Méditerranée airport. The living environment combines urban advantages with the proximity of the seaside. Profile required Doctor qualified in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Ordre des Médecins. Contact us on: 07 44 71 65 08 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Ad reference: 12631 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your activity: - Introduction to our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
General practitioner - Dunkerque 59
Employee
7500 - 12000 per month
Dunkerque
Job - General practitioner - Dunkerque 59 A project for an intercommunal health center in Dunkirk, in the Nord region of France, is looking for a new general practitioner for a salaried position. Terms and conditions - Salaried (public administrative establishment) - Full time or part time possible - Max. working day: 9h - Monday to Friday - 9h - 13h15 / 14h15 - 18h30 - Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm The structure This is a project by the local authority of Dunkirk to create an intercommunal health center, scheduled to open in mid-November 2026. The site will offer a total surface area of 630 m², divided between the first floor and basement, with 6 doctors' surgeries, administrative areas and waiting rooms. The project emphasizes enhanced accessibility, renovation with a high-performance energy label and a multidisciplinary organization integrating doctors, nurses, midwives and a psychologist. Remuneration - To be defined at the time of interview, according to profile and experience Missions - Provide face-to-face general medical consultations - Participate in the fight against medical desertification and welcome patients without a general practitioner - Make home visits - Contribute to mental health follow-up and refer patients to appropriate structures - Coordinate care with the multidisciplinary team and external partners - Participate in prevention initiatives and local programs (diabetes, obesity, cancer resource center) - Participate in the implementation and operational ramp-up of the center Your benefits - Secure salaried status with hospital salary scale (hospital practitioner) - 5 weeks paid vacation - 21 days RTT (FTE) - Luncheon vouchers - Access to local civil service benefits (CSE, social works) - Vehicle available for home visits - Free bus network nearby and good TER/TGV connections Our equipment - 6 medical offices equipped with water point and examination table - Possibility of connecting offices - 40 m² rest room - Rail-mounted patient lift - Scales adapted up to 300 kg - Administrative and storage space in basement A little something extra Dunkerque offers a unique urban and maritime life: beaches, port heritage and the famous Dunkerque carnival attract residents and visitors every year, while Lille can be reached in around 30 minutes by TER and Paris in around 2 hours by TGV. Profile required General practitioner qualified in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Ordre des Médecins. Contact us on: 07 44 71 65 08 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Advert reference : 12456 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your activity: - Introduction to our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
General practitioner - Bergerac 24
Employee
7500 - 12000 per month
Bergerac
Job - General practitioner - Bergerac 24 A health center in Bergerac, in the Dordogne department, is looking for a new General Practitioner for a salaried position. Terms and conditions - Salaried - Full-time preferred, part-time accepted at least 1 day a week, vacations and replacements possible - Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 The structure The Bergerac-based health center has been open for around a year and a half, and has a dozen equipped practices. In addition, three medical practices are already operational, equipped and connected to the MediLink software, with a secretariat in place. An additional practice is reserved for a general practitioner, and three practices can accommodate specialists depending on the project. Remuneration - 8,800€ gross/month 35 effective hours The missions - Provide general medical consultations for a local patient base - Ensure continuity of care and refer patients to specialists or appropriate structures - Participate in the organization and management of the medical schedule in conjunction with the secretary's office - Take charge of emergencies at the end of the day, with additional remuneration - Work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals in the vicinity or self-employed - Contribute to the development and animation of the center's activities The advantages - Fully-equipped, modular offices for rapid installation - Secretariat in place to manage appointments and receipts - MediLink software to facilitate administrative and medical management - Furnished T2 apartments available close to the center - Organizational flexibility to accommodate part-time work, shifts and replacements - Remuneration based on the collective agreement for medical practices, with the possibility of supplements Our equipment - MediLink Equasens - Medical equipment base available, with the possibility of rapid additional equipment as required A little something extra Bergerac is famous for its vineyards and gastronomy, with nearby appellations such as Monbazillac and a pleasant living environment on the banks of the Dordogne, ideal for outdoor activities and family weekends. Profile required General practitioner qualified in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration. Contact us on: 07 44 71 65 08 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference : 12110 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, offers you free support right up to the start of your activity: - Introduction to our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration with the French Medical Association - Dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
See all available offers for this category