Job description: Occupational physician

In France, companies are required to ensure the good mental and physical health of the people they employ. As part of this, the health system provides for regular visits by an occupational physician, a professional specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of work-related pathologies (the name was a clue). Its role, which has evolved considerably over the last few decades, is complex and essential for employees in all sectors. Let's take a look at what the métier de médecin du travail encompasses.

Le rôle et les missions principales d’un médecin du travail

Medical follow-up of employees

This is his main and most important responsibility: taking care of French workers. Unlike a médecin généraliste, the suivi médical  des employés by the médecin du travail is règlementé par la loi. It includes, in particular, the pre-recruitment visit, as well as periodic, follow-up or request visits. In all cases, the occupational physician is mandated to assess the employee's fitness for the job, and to carry out the necessary formalities;It can also assess employees' suitability for their jobs, identify any potential work-related health problems and, if necessary, refer them to specialized professionals. It can also suggest job adjustments or reclassifications.

His field of action is broad, as the vast majority of working people must go to see him, at least at the time of hiring. These include employees in: 

• CDI
• CDD (e.g. professionalization contract, aid contracts),
• temporary employment contract (intérim),
• apprenticeship contract,
• contract concluded through Cesu with a private employer

Ansuring the prevention of occupational risks

More than any other health professional, the occupational physician plays a key role in the prevention of occupational illnesses. To this end, the occupational physician assesses the risks incurred by employees in the course of their work. He also participates in the development and implementation of the DUERP (single risk assessment document). It draws on in-depth knowledge of work environments to identify risk situations and propose corrective actions.

Within this framework, it intervenes above all to counter long-term risks. Careers last a long time, and the repetitive nature of work often leads to physical complications known as musculoskeletal disorders, which can be alleviated by implementing simple ergonomic measures. The consequences of neglecting these risks can be serious, ranging from simple work stoppage to permanent physical disability. The occupational physician therefore has a vital interest in ensuring that employers understand the challenges of the DUERP, and that employees adopt good practices and better postures. This is particularly true in difficult or dental jobs.

In addition, growing societal awareness has led to the development of a largely underestimated aspect of a worker's health: his or her mental state. The workplace physicians must work to maintain a healthy working environment and a measured pace, in order to prevent psychological fatigue and the risk of burn-out. This is an opportunity for them not only to enrich their field of action, but also to develop inter-professional relationships, for example, by working in collaboration with psychiatrists or psychologists (see our article Psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist: how to choose?).

Supporting companies in improving working conditions

In the same way that the occupational physician accompanies and protects employees in the context of prevention, he or she can also act concretely in this direction and participate in the’amélioration of working conditions, whether in the improvement of workstations or general organization. He provides advice and recommendations, and draws up action plans in consultation with management and employee representatives. This is a very important part of his work, as it enables him to prevent risks and limit the negative consequences for workers.

At the end of the day, the missions of the occupational physicianact in concert and all contribute, in their own way, to improving the mental and physical health of workers.

Education and training to become an occupational physician

Before applying for a job offer as an occupational physician, you need to come to terms with long and demanding studies. It is this rigor alone that produces the best possible doctors. As in most medical specialties, errors must be kept to a minimum, and the occupational physician must be able to adapt to any situation. In addition, the complexity of his work requires him to take an interest in different professional sectors, in order to master their characteristics and subtleties. His role therefore goes beyond the medical sphere, and requires solid skills that his studies must provide him with. Let's take a look at how to become an occupational physician.

In high school, anyone wishing to become a médecin du travail must first obtain a scientific baccalaureat général. Although other school diplomas can lead to general medical studies, the scientific stream provides the required foundations. Once this first stage has been completed, students can move on to the Parcours Accès Santé Spé (PASS) or the Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS). One year later, and subject to success, he or she will be able to take the two-year general medical course, common to all specialties. At the end of the curriculum, he will take the end-of-clerkship tests (EDN and ECOS), the results of which will give him the opportunity to choose his speciality (according to an order of priority based on ranking). Once committed to thespécialisation en médecine du travail, he will have a further 3 years' study under the internship system, enabling him to tackle all aspects of this profession in detail and apply them within French healthcare structures.

If you'd like to learn more about this topic, browse our fiche études médecin du travail!

Les competences et qualités nécessaires pour exercer

In order to succeed in this difficult and highly technical career, the occupational physician must possess specific qualities, such as: 

• Knowledge of médecine : complementary médical training, supported by specialization in occupational médecine, is essential. It includes expertise in ergonomics, toxicology, epidemiology, occupational psychology and labor law. The occupational physician must also be familiar with pathologies linked to work environments.
  
  
• Ability to analyze work environments: the occupational physician must be able to observe, diagnose and interpret risks associated with workstations. This involves understanding the physical, organizational and psychosocial constraints specific to each sector of activity.
  
  
• Qualités relationnelles et pédagogiques : Active listening, diplomacy, benevolence and the ability to engage in dialogue with different players (employees, employers, staff representatives) are fundamental. The occupational physician must also be able to convey preventive messages clearly, appropriately and sometimes persuasively.
  
  
• Sense of ethics and confidentiality : respect for medical confidentiality and neutrality are crucial to establishing a relationship of trust with employees and guaranteeing an independent stance vis-à-vis the employer.
  
  
• Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team: the occupational physician collaborates with occupational health nurses, ergonomists, psychologists, social workers and other physicians. As such, he must be able to coordinate actions, share relevant information and integrate everyone's points of view.
  
  
• Aptitude à la veille scientifique et réglementaire : les risques professionnels, les normes légales et les outils de prévention évolute. The occupational physician must keep abreast of scientific, technical and legal developments in the sector.
  
  
• Sense of organization and autonomy : managing visit schedules, prioritizing preventive actions, responding to health or organizational emergencies… the position requires great rigor and the ability to take initiative.

Mastery of all these qualities will enable the médecin du travail to practice serenely and apply for better médecin du travail job offers.

The outlook for a médecin du travail

Possibilité de devenir médecin coordonnateur

With several years' experience, an occupational physician can progress to the position of coordinating physician, or even head physician in larger structures. These duties include managing multidisciplinary teams (physicians, occupational health nurses, ergonomists, psychologists, toxicologists), implementing occupational health policy and ensuring the quality of occupational risk prevention activities. It is also a key role in dialogue with senior management and social partners, requiring skills in management, communication and strategy.

Specialization in specific business sectors

The occupational medicine offers many opportunities for specialization. Some doctors choose to focus their practice on specific sectors with high health stakes:

• BTP: exposure to noise, falls, musculoskeletal disorders, etc.
  
  
• Chemical industry: toxicology, chronic chemical risks.
  
  
• Nucléaire: radiation protection, rigorous exposure monitoring.
  
  
• Transport, logistics, health: working shifts, mental workload, acute stress
  

These specializations enable us to acquire in-depth expertise in occupational hazards, often sought after by major industrial groups, government departments, health and safety agencies or scientific committees.

Finally, the occupational physician may opt for an academic career, or take part in research in collaboration with organizations or universities. This work may focus on the epidemiology of occupational diseases, the assessment of emerging risks, or the development of innovative prevention systems. Some become part-time or permanent lecturers, involved in the training of occupational physicians or in masters degrees specializing in occupational health.

Participation in occupational health research projects

The occupational physician can become involved in research, in conjunction with specialized institutes or university laboratories. They can contribute to the development of knowledge in occupational epidemiology, ergonomics and preventive innovation. Finally, some practitioners choose to join or found an autonomous occupational health department (particularly in large companies), where they can organize tailored preventive actions and innovate in terms of quality of working life, social dialogue and individual follow-up.

In reality, the career of an occupational physician encompasses subjects that go beyond mere medicine. Professionals in this field are therefore multi-skilled specialists with a wide range of skills, which they put to good use to protect the health of French workers. A valued and rewarding job, which is the strength of our health system!

To learn more, find our salary sheet médecin du travail.