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Naturopathic Physicians

In the Naturopathic Physicians occupation, workers diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals. O*NET rates it as extensive preparation, which usually means graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. It leans on reading comprehension, speaking, and critical thinking. The job can ask you to document patients' histories, including identifying data, chief complaints, illnesses, previous medical or family histories, or psychosocial characteristics. On the six-type interest model it reads ISR, meaning research, analysis and working through hard problems comes first, followed by helping, teaching or caring for people. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals. May use physiological, psychological or mechanical methods. May also use natural medicines, prescription or legend drugs, foods, herbs, or other natural remedies.

Main tasks

  • Document patients' histories, including identifying data, chief complaints, illnesses, previous medical or family histories, or psychosocial characteristics.
  • Educate patients about health care management.
  • Advise patients about therapeutic exercise and nutritional medicine regimens.
  • Conduct physical examinations and physiological function tests for diagnostic purposes.
  • Administer, dispense, or prescribe natural medicines, such as food or botanical extracts, herbs, dietary supplements, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and amino acids.
  • Interview patients to document symptoms and health histories.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You get energy from helping other people move forward.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.8 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ISR takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Doctor (Dr)
  • Naturopathic Doctor
  • Naturopathic Endocrinologist
  • Naturopathic Medicine Doctor
  • Naturopathic Oncologist

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.