Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Jump to:

Job Description

Osteopathic physicians, or D.O.s, are one of the two types of licensed physician found in the United States today.

Like their MD counterparts, D.O.S are fully qualified and trained to prescribe medication, perform surgery, diagnose injury and illness, and treat patients.

It may come as a surprise to learn that about one fifth of all medical students are studying to become osteopathic physicians.

Responsibilities

The major difference between D.O.s and MDs is that the former take a more holistic approach to medical care and also make use of osteopathic manipulative medicine.

This latter involves active manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal system.

There are two things that set osteopathic physicians apart: they believe that the body has a great capacity for healing itself of illness or injury, and that an injury or imbalance in one part of the body can cause detrimental effects not only on the part impacted directly, but also on other areas of the body.

D.O.s use manipulation of the muscles and joints to help restore the normal balance of the body and help the body regain its health in a more natural fashion.

Like allopathic doctors, D.O.s can be found in family practice, pediatrics, gynecology, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology.

Many D.O.s practice in rural areas where the population may have difficulty finding medical care. There are nearly 70,000 osteopathic physicians in the United States, and more colleges are being added to the 29 already in existence for their training.

Skills

Critical Thinking	Must use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understand Complex Medical Data	Must be able to interpret complex medical data and draw conclusions.
Complex Problem Solving	Must be able to identify complex problems and develop and evaluate corrective options and implement solutions.
Detail-Oriented	Must be able to pinpoint small details that could make or break patient diagnosis and evaluation.
Communication	Must effectively communicate with your co-workers to ensure the best care and the proper procedures. Must be able to communicate in high-stress environments.
Mathematics & Science	Must know about the human body and interactions it has with it's environment. Must know how to solve complex mathematical equations.
Systems Analysis & Evaluation	Determining how a system should work in order to fix it if problems arise.

Working Conditions

As with all physicians, osteopathic physicians can work on their own or be part of a team or clinic. D.O.s can be found not only in rural areas, but also in urban ones where family health clinics are often in short supply. In most cases, the D.O. will be a family doctor, or primary care physician.

Salary Outlook

$188,500 25^th Percentile

$312,310 50^th Percentile

$576,350 75^th Percentile

$90.63 Hourly

$150.15 Hourly

$277.09 Hourly

Estimated Annual Salary	Average Hourly Wage	Positions Nationwide
$312,310.00	$150.15	311,320

Resources

Title	Company	Location	Posted
Osteopathic Resident I	Community Health Network	Indianapolis, IN	04.25.2018
This posting is for our first year residents joining a Community Health Network residency program beginning the academic year of 2018-2019. These previously matched and selected positions will all reside in the Indianapolis, IN area. Highlights...
Unit Coordinator- PICU Do	Nationwide Children's Hospital	Columbus, OH	04.25.2018
The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel it. When you meet one of our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it, too. Welcome to Nationwide Childrens Hospital, where...
Unit Coordinator- PICU Do	Nationwide Children's Hospital	Columbus, OH	04.25.2018
The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel it. When you meet one of our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it, too. Welcome to Nationwide Childrens Hospital, where...
Physician Ob/Gyn Practice	MaineHealth	Norway, ME	04.25.2018
The staff physician provides medical care and services in the office, nursing home and hospital settings. Must hold a degree in either osteopathic or allopathic medicine (D.O. Or M.D.). Board certification in practice specialty or Family...
Physician - Family Medicine Faculty - Center for Famiy Medicine - Rural Track Director	Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System	Spartanburg, SC	01.26.2017
MD/DO license required The Spartanburg Family Medicine Residency Program in Spartanburg, South Carolina is a national leader in community family medicine education. We are seeking to add a Family Medicine Faculty Physician to serve as Rural...
Replacement Physician	Mercy Medical Center North Iowa	Mason City, IA	04.25.2018
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Physician- Rheumatologist	Mercy Medical Center North Iowa	Mason City, IA	04.25.2018
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Staff RN - Urgent Care Do	Nationwide Children's Hospital	Columbus, OH	04.25.2018
This is a 32 hour/week, benefits eligible position working, days, 7:30am-4pm 4 shifts/ week, every other weekend and holiday obligation Minimum hourly rate: $26.190 The Staff RN assists patients to move rapidly, uneventfully, safely, and as...
Faculty Physician	Eastern Maine Medical Center	Bangor, ME	04.02.2018
Keep the Joy in Family Medicine Teach and Learn -- Pursue your Passion -- Join our Team Make a Difference for your Patients and the Physicians of the Next Generation Eastern Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program is seeking...
Physician	Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System	Spartanburg, SC	09.05.2013
MD/DO license required If you do not see your specialty listed as an open position on our website, but would like to share your information with us and/or inquire about possible physician opportunities, please fill out this generic physician...
Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant PD-Primary Care	MaineHealth	Westbrook, ME	04.25.2018
Under the direction of a primary care physician or Medical Director, the physician assistant provides primary medical care for hospitalized, partially hospitalized and outpatients. The duties encompass primary or specialty medical care,...
PRN Replacement Physician, ARNP, or PA	Mercy Medical Center North Iowa	Mason City, IA	04.25.2018
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Physician	Eastern Maine Medical Center	Bangor, ME	04.02.2018
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...
Physician	Eastern Maine Medical Center	Bangor, ME	02.12.2018
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...
Physician	Eastern Maine Medical Center	Bangor, ME	04.02.2018
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...

Osteopathic Resident I Indianapolis, IN Community Health Network
This posting is for our first year residents joining a Community Health Network residency program beginning the academic year of 2018-2019. These previously matched and selected positions will all reside in the Indianapolis, IN area. Highlights...
Unit Coordinator- PICU Do Columbus, OH Nationwide Children's Hospital
The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel it. When you meet one of our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it, too. Welcome to Nationwide Childrens Hospital, where...
Unit Coordinator- PICU Do Columbus, OH Nationwide Children's Hospital
The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel it. When you meet one of our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it, too. Welcome to Nationwide Childrens Hospital, where...
Physician Ob/Gyn Practice Portland, ME MaineHealth
The staff physician provides medical care and services in the office, nursing home and hospital settings. Must hold a degree in either osteopathic or allopathic medicine (D.O. Or M.D.). Board certification in practice specialty or Family...
Physician - Family Medicine Faculty - Center for Famiy Medicine - Rural Track Director Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
MD/DO license required The Spartanburg Family Medicine Residency Program in Spartanburg, South Carolina is a national leader in community family medicine education. We are seeking to add a Family Medicine Faculty Physician to serve as Rural...
Replacement Physician Mason City, IA Mercy Medical Center North Iowa
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Physician- Rheumatologist Mason City, IA Mercy Medical Center North Iowa
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Staff RN - Urgent Care Do Columbus, OH Nationwide Children's Hospital
This is a 32 hour/week, benefits eligible position working, days, 7:30am-4pm 4 shifts/ week, every other weekend and holiday obligation Minimum hourly rate: $26.190 The Staff RN assists patients to move rapidly, uneventfully, safely, and as...
Faculty Physician Bangor, ME Eastern Maine Medical Center
Keep the Joy in Family Medicine Teach and Learn -- Pursue your Passion -- Join our Team Make a Difference for your Patients and the Physicians of the Next Generation Eastern Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program is seeking...
Physician Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
MD/DO license required If you do not see your specialty listed as an open position on our website, but would like to share your information with us and/or inquire about possible physician opportunities, please fill out this generic physician...
Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant PD-Primary Care Portland, ME MaineHealth
Under the direction of a primary care physician or Medical Director, the physician assistant provides primary medical care for hospitalized, partially hospitalized and outpatients. The duties encompass primary or specialty medical care,...
PRN Replacement Physician, ARNP, or PA Mason City, IA Mercy Medical Center North Iowa
: A physician in the Mercy North Iowa Network provides quality patient care in both the inpatient and/or outpatient settings as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of a medical/osteopathic medical school is required. Demonstrated competency as a...
Physician Bangor, ME Eastern Maine Medical Center
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...
Physician Bangor, ME Eastern Maine Medical Center
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...
Physician Bangor, ME Eastern Maine Medical Center
Primary Care Opportunity in Bangor, Maine! Eastern Maine Medical Center has exciting opportunities for Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO physicians to join well-established, quality driven, outpatient Family Medicine and Internal Medicine...