General practitioners / family physicians provide primary care medical services to community based patients from clinics or surgeries. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, refer to medical specialists when appropriate, manage chronic disease and provide preventative medical services.
Enhanced skills gained by further training in specific clinical specialities allow general practitioners to provide some secondary care.
Rural Generalists are highly skilled GPs specialised in a broad scope of disciplines who provide primary and secondary care to rural and remote communities.
Odyssey recruits general practitioners, family physicians and rural generalists for locum and permanent jobs with reputable employers worldwide.
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Qualifications for General Practitioner Jobs
A postgraduate qualification or board certification in general practice /family medicine is mandatory for a physician to obtain a licence to practice. Additional qualifications can be taken to demonstrate enhanced skills.
The most common qualifications from English speaking countries are listed below and are widely accepted in most jurisdictions. Qualifications from other Western European nations, Singapore and Hong Kong are also accepted in many countries. If you are unsure if your qualification in general practice will be recognised for a particular job application, please contact us for clarification.
UK| MRCGP and CCT : Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Certificate of Competion of Training
Succcessful completion of the MRCGP exams confirms that that the doctor has completed a 3 year training course in general practice after internship and obtained sufficient expertise to obtain the CCT and professional licence to work independently as a General Practitioner.
Ireland| MICGP : Member of the Irish College of General Practitioners
The Irish College of General Practitioners is responsible for the education, training and standards of general practice in Ireland and the Membership is attained upon completion of three years postgraduate training and passing the examination which permits the physician the right of independent practice.
USA | American Board of Family Medicine Certified
The board certification is obtained by passing an examination after completion of an approved three year residency in family medicine in the USA.
Canada | CCFP : Certificate of the College of Family Physicians of Canada
The certificate is obtained after completion of an approved family medicine residency in Canada or by a combination of training and practice experience.
Australia | FRACGP : Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The College is responsible for the training, education and standards of general practitioners and the fellowship is obtained by examination taken after approved postgraduate training.
Australia | FARGP: Fellow of Advanced Rural Skills
This is a secondary qualification in advanced rural medicine awarded by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Australia | FACCRM : Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
This college is the only College in Australia dedicated to rural and remote medicine and it trains and supports rural general practitioners and rural generalists. Its is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for setting professional standards for training, assessment, certification and continuing professional development in general practice.
New Zealand | FRNZCGP : Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
This college is the professional body and postgraduate educational institute for general practitioners and rural physicians in New Zealand. Fellowship is obtained by examination after approved training.
South Africa | FCFP (SA) | Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa
The fellowship is obtained by a three part examination taken after three years of registrar training and the submission of a research component after the fourth year.
Applying for General Practitioner Jobs Worldwide
General Practitioners are in high demand for locum and permanent positions in urban and rural clinics and hospitals worldwide but scope of practice, qualification and experience requirements vary from one country to another. Contact our recruitment consultants for advice if you are unsure about your eligibility for a role.
Obtaining a Licence to Practice as a General Practitioner / Family Physician
Each jurisdiction has its own criteria for a licence to work as a general practitioner or family physician and our recruitment consultants will provide you with details for specific licence applications.
As a general rule you will need:
- Primary Source Verification of qualifications and current practice certificate from EPIC (ECFMG) or Data Flow (for the Middle East).
- IELTS Academic Module or OET proof of English competency (for English speaking countries)
- Three professional referees who will vouch for your competence and professionalism.
- A clear and concise CV which summarises your qualifications, professional skills, achievements and their relevance to the job you seek.
Register with Odyssey so that our consultants can advise you.
General Practitioner Employment | Salary or Fee For Service
General Practitioners are either employed on a salary, often with an added incentive or benefits package, or hired on a fee for service contract where a percentage of the total fees earned is dedicated to the practice management. The former provides security and a guaranteed income, whilst the latter is more risky at the start but rewarded with substantially higher earnings in a well established practice.
In the Middle East, most family physician jobs are salaried with a benefits package which includes accommodation, healthcare and flights with 30 days holiday. A smaller number of jobs have an incentive package which awards a performance based fee split with the hospital or clinic owners, and limited benefits, usually restricted to holiday pay, travel and healthcare insurance.
In Australia, New Zealand and Canada, most jobs are fee for service where what you earn will depend upon the amount of work you do. The total fee income is then split on an agreed percentage basis with the clinic owners to cover the management costs. Fee splits range from 55/45 to 75/25. In Newfoundland Canada, there are salaried GP options with retention bonuses.
Most family physicians in Canada can generate revenue of $350K per year and hard workers can generate substantially more, some exceeding $1 million. Billings in Australia are similar, although in Australian dollars, and in the UAE you can expect a salary of AED 40,000 - 60,000 per month depending upon the employer.
Physician and Medical Positions in Canada
Register for physician vacancies in Canada and browse available jobs across Canada
Odyssey recruits family physicians and specialist physicians for permanent, locum and fixed term assignments in Canada. Fee for service and salaried positions are available.
High demand specialities:
- family physicians
- psychiatrists
- internists
- paediatricians
- general surgeons
- anaesthetists
- obstetricians and gynaecologists
Why Work in Canada?
Canada's highly sophisticated economy, advanced technology and enviable living standards make it a magnet for expatriate workers seeking to develop their careers. Opportunities for skilled medical professionals abound in the more remote areas and sometimes in the major cities.
Comprised of ten provinces and three territories, each with its own regulatory framework for professionals and separate taxation structures, career opportunities and remuneration vary considerably across the country.
Demand for general practitioners and family physicians is high in the more remote areas and expertise and experience in rural medicine, resuscitation and surgical technique is a plus for physicians. Shortages of specialist physicians exist in many provinces.