Family Medicine Specialist

Job Title: Family Medicine Specialist

Department: Family Medicine / Outpatient Services

Location: Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Reports To: Head of Department / Medical Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

1. Job Summary

The Family Medicine Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive, evidence-based primary healthcare services to patients across all age groups in the hospital setting. The role includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up of acute and chronic medical conditions, health promotion, and coordination of care with other hospital departments and specialist services. The physician must ensure high standards of clinical practice, patient safety, documentation, and compliance with applicable Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) regulations and hospital policies.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive family medicine consultations and primary healthcare services to patients of all ages.
• Obtain detailed medical histories, perform physical examinations, and request and interpret appropriate diagnostic investigations.
• Diagnose and manage common acute illnesses and chronic medical conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, dyslipidemia, and other prevalent diseases.
• Develop, implement, and review individualized treatment and follow-up plans based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
• Provide preventive healthcare, routine health assessments, immunizations, screening, and lifestyle counseling.
• Manage patients with multiple comorbidities and coordinate multidisciplinary care when required.
• Recognize medical emergencies, initiate appropriate immediate management within the scope of practice, and arrange timely escalation or referral.
• Refer patients to relevant hospital specialists and coordinate continuity of care, including follow-up after specialist consultations or hospital discharge where appropriate.
• Prescribe medications, order investigations, and perform clinical procedures within the physician’s approved scope of practice and hospital privileges.
• Educate patients and their families regarding diagnosis, treatment options, medication adherence, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle practices.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely medical records in the hospital’s electronic medical record system.
• Obtain informed consent when required and protect patient confidentiality and privacy.
• Adhere to hospital clinical policies, infection prevention and control standards, patient safety requirements, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews where applicable, departmental meetings, and continuing medical education activities.
• Collaborate effectively with nursing staff, allied healthcare professionals, emergency services, and other medical departments.
• Comply with applicable Abu Dhabi DoH licensing requirements, professional ethics, and hospital credentialing and privileging policies.

3. Qualifications and Experience

• MBBS or an equivalent recognized primary medical qualification.
• Recognized postgraduate qualification in Family Medicine, in accordance with the applicable Abu Dhabi DoH Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
• Valid Abu Dhabi DoH professional license or eligibility for licensure in the appropriate physician category.
• Relevant clinical experience in family medicine, primary healthcare, or an equivalent hospital or ambulatory care setting, as required by the applicable licensing category.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; additional life support certification as required by the hospital and scope of practice.
• Experience using electronic medical records and hospital information systems is preferred.

4. Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of evidence-based family medicine and preventive healthcare.
• Effective patient communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage acute and chronic conditions and identify cases requiring specialist referral.
• Strong teamwork, coordination, and time-management skills.
• Commitment to patient safety, confidentiality, professional ethics, and continuous professional development.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English; Arabic is an advantage where relevant to the patient population.

5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Quality and safety of clinical care.
• Patient satisfaction and experience.
• Compliance with clinical guidelines, hospital policies, and DoH requirements.
• Timely and accurate clinical documentation.
• Appropriate investigation, treatment, referral, and follow-up practices.
• Effective management and monitoring of chronic diseases.
• Participation in clinical audits, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives.

6. Working Relationships

Internal: Head of Department, Medical Director, Emergency Department, specialist physicians, nursing staff, allied health professionals, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and quality and patient safety teams.

External: Patients, families, referring healthcare providers, and other healthcare organizations as required for continuity of care.

7. General Responsibilities

The employee shall perform duties within the limits of their professional license, approved clinical privileges, and demonstrated competence. All responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with hospital policies, applicable Abu Dhabi DoH regulations, and relevant UAE laws. Additional duties may be assigned by the Head of Department or Medical Director, consistent with the position and scope of practice.