Why OEM

Why should I choose a career in Occupational and Environmental Medicine?
As the nation’s workplaces become more complex, occupational and environmental health specialists play an increasingly visible role in preventing diseases and promoting wellness among workers by evaluating the interaction between work and health. OEM physicians are part of a business organization and understand both management's and labor's concerns and opportunities, in addition to administering the medical program and supervising medical personnel. Here are some of the reasons to consider a career in OEM...

 

1-(1).pngLow burnout rate
OEM professionals experience lower burnout than other specialists according to Medscape’s 2022 Physician Burnout and Depression Report, which surveyed more than 13,000 physicians across nearly 30 specialties. In this year’s report which shows overall burnout increasing by 5% across all specialties, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, which includes Occupational and Environmental Medicine, had the lowest burnout rate at 26%.

2.pngMeaningful work

Practicing occupational and environmental medicine allows you to help people stay healthy and safe in their workplaces and communities. By working to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, you can make a real difference in a patient’s life.
 

3.pngHigh demand

There is a growing need for occupational and environmental medicine specialists, as employers and governments increasingly recognize the importance of workplace safety and environmental health.
 

4.pngDiverse opportunities

Occupational and environmental medicine offers a wide range of career opportunities, from working in large hospitals and clinics to consulting with businesses and government agencies. Current ACOEM members work in every setting imaginable, from the nation’s leading hospitals to automotive manufacturers, entertainment, and more.
 

Back to top

Competencies of the OEM Physician

  • Ability to diagnose and treat occupational diseases and injuries and identify health outcomes of environmental exposures
  • General knowledge of worksite operations and familiarity with toxic properties of materials and the potential hazards and stressors of work processes
  • Ability to determine an employee's physical and emotional fitness for work
  • Ability to educate workers on health, wellness, and sanitation
  • Proficiency in workers' compensation laws; local, state, and federal regulatory requirements; and systems for maintaining medical records
  • Ability to organize and manage the delivery of health services and maintain physician/patient confidentiality.