Duty Medical Officer

Job Purpose

The Duty Medical Officer is responsible for providing timely and appropriate medical care to patients during the assigned duty hours, monitoring patient conditions, coordinating with consultants and nursing teams, and ensuring proper clinical documentation and continuity of care.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Clinical Care

Conduct initial assessment of patients admitted through OPD, Emergency, ICU and other clinical areas as assigned.

Take detailed history, perform clinical examination and document findings.

Monitor patients' vital signs and clinical condition.

Identify deterioration in patient condition and initiate appropriate immediate management.

Provide emergency medical care and stabilisation within the scope of practice.

Emergency & Critical Care Support

Respond promptly to emergency calls and deteriorating patients.

Assist in resuscitation and emergency procedures as required.

Initiate appropriate emergency protocols and immediately inform the concerned consultant.

Ensure timely escalation of critical cases to the appropriate specialist/consultant.

Coordination with Consultants

Inform the concerned consultant regarding significant changes in patient condition.

Carry out consultant instructions appropriately and document the same.

Coordinate with specialists, intensivists, nursing staff and other clinical departments for patient management.

Ensure proper handover of patients during shift changes.

Patient Monitoring & Follow-up

Regularly review admitted patients as per hospital protocols and clinical requirements.

Monitor investigations, treatment response and changes in clinical status.

Follow up on pending investigations and communicate significant findings to the concerned consultant.

Ensure appropriate implementation of treatment plans.

Clinical Documentation

Maintain accurate and timely patient records.

Complete progress notes, treatment orders, clinical assessments and other required documentation.

Ensure proper documentation of emergency interventions and significant clinical events.

Maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times.

Admission, Transfer & Discharge

Assist in patient admission and clinical evaluation.

Prepare and maintain appropriate clinical documentation during transfers.

Coordinate patient transfer between departments/units when clinically indicated.

Assist consultants in discharge planning and ensure required documentation is completed.

Communication & Patient Care

Communicate professionally with patients and their attendants.

Explain basic treatment-related information within the scope of responsibility.

Address routine clinical concerns and escalate complaints or complex matters to the appropriate authority.

Maintain professional, ethical and compassionate behaviour.

Hospital Protocol & Compliance

Follow hospital SOPs, clinical protocols, infection-control practices and patient-safety standards.

Comply with NABH and other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Participate in clinical audits, training programmes and quality-improvement activities.

Report incidents, adverse events and clinical risks through the prescribed process.

Coordination with Nursing & Support Teams

Coordinate closely with nursing staff for implementation of treatment plans.

Review and respond to clinical concerns raised by nursing staff.

Ensure timely communication of important clinical instructions.

Support multidisciplinary coordination for patient care.

Shift Handover

Provide complete and structured handover to the incoming DMO.

Highlight critically ill patients, pending investigations, important clinical events and pending medical decisions.

Ensure continuity of care without omission of critical information.

Key Performance Expectations

Timely response to emergency calls and clinical escalations.

Accurate and timely clinical documentation.

Appropriate escalation of deteriorating patients.

Effective coordination with consultants and nursing teams.

Compliance with hospital clinical and patient-safety protocols.

Professional conduct and effective communication.

Proper shift handover and continuity of patient care.

Qualification & Experience

Work Location

In person