Thoracic Medicine Specialists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Thoracic Medicine Specialists investigate, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the human respiratory system.
Specialisations: Pulmonary Specialist, Respiratory Physician.
Medical practitioners need to undertake a fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to become a Thoracic Medicine Specialist.
Tasks
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Examines patients to determine the nature and extent of problems after referral from general medical practitioners and other medical specialists, and undertakes laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
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Analyses test results and other medical information to make diagnoses.
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Prescribes and administers drugs, as well as remedial and therapeutic treatment and procedures.
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Records medical information and data.
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Reports specified contagious and notifiable diseases to government health and immigration authorities.
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May admit or refer patients to hospitals.
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May consult other medical specialists.
Characteristics
- 253311 Specialist Physicians (General Medicine)
- 253312 Cardiologists
- 253313 Clinical Haematologists
- 253314 Medical Oncologists
- 253315 Endocrinologists
- 253316 Gastroenterologists
- 253317 Intensive Care Specialists
- 253318 Neurologists
- 253321 Paediatricians
- 253322 Renal Medicine Specialists
- 253323 Rheumatologists
- 253324 Thoracic Medicine Specialists
- 253399 Other Specialist Physicians
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Specialist Physicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 78% of people employed as Thoracic Medicine Specialists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 56 hours per week in their main job. This is 12 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Thoracic Medicine Specialists work in the Health care and social assistance industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Thoracic Medicine Specialists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 22.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 95% of Thoracic Medicine Specialists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Thoracic Medicine Specialists is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 39% of the workforce. This is 9 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Thoracic Medicine Specialists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 0.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 12.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 41.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Medical practitioners need to undertake a fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to become a Thoracic Medicine Specialist.
Registration with the Medical Board of Australia is required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Thoracic Medicine Specialists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 43.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 56.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 0.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 0.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 0.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Specialist Physicians who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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55%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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52%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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52%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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50%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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50%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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50%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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45%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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43%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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81%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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68%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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65%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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63%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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58%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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56%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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55%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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53%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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52%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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49%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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47%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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42%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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41%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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38%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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38%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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33%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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33%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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32%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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24%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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54%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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54%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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85%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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80%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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80%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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72%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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71%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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71%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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71%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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71%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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69%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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68%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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68%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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67%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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64%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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63%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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51%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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49%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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95%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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71%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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81%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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64%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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57%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
Demands
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99%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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98%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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98%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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97%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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96%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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95%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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93%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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93%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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90%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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88%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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86%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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85%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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83%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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82%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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81%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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80%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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79%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-1126.00 - Respiratory Therapists.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.