Resident Physician

Resident Physicians are qualified doctors who are given further responsibilities and duties, in addition to the duties of a Medical Officer. They are immediately responsible for the management of patients in the wards. They are required to help with the clerking of cases and performing of procedures.

Resident Physicians, including Senior Resident Physicians and Principal Resident Physicians, should perform duties (Including calls) and responsibilities at the levels assigned until they have been individually assessed to be competent to perform duties and responsibilities at higher levels as determined by the Head of Department.

1. Responsible for the management of patients in the ward together with the surgical team members and other clinicians (e.g. other doctors in their team, nurses and allied health professionals). They shall make appropriate diagnoses and consult specialist when needed.

2. Assist House Officers/ Medical Officers in the clerking of cases. Resident Physicians (RPs) should supervise them in the performance of procedures, helping them if necessary, especially with the more complex cases.

3. Review all new cases as soon as possible following admission and check on the House Officer's findings and notes. However, the RP should record his assessment and plan in a separate note.

4. RPs should ensure the problem list for all patients are updated. In cases of difficulty, registrar / specialist should be consulted.

5. Assist the specialist in running of Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC). RPs should review treatment of cases from time to time but they should discuss with the specialist before making major changes to the treatment. They should right site the care of chronic patients after consultation with their specialist.

6. For first visit patients, RPs should get the specialist to review the cases. Principal Resident Physicians (PRPs) are allowed to see first visit on their own and institute investigation and treatment. They should discuss the management of complex cases with Specialist and/ or Director of Service.

7. RPs should document the name/ relationship of NOK and brief them on the patient's condition.

8. Responsible for explaining procedures and operations to patients and relatives, as well as obtaining consents for such cases.

9. Responsible for signing death certificates, when requested.

10. Where necessary, with the help of specialist check whether a case is coroners case to obtain consent for autopsies for patients who have died in hospital.

11. Responsible for reporting and presenting the Mortalities and Morbidities (M&M) cases appropriately as directed in a timely manner within three (3) months from the date of occurrence of the M&M incident.

12. RPs should inform the Registrar/Specialist on call (as appropriate) of any VIP cases and major problems, including all referrals from other departments. When on duty, they should not leave the ward or hospital without informing the Registrar/ Specialist on call.

13. RPs are allowed to admit cases (under a specialist) with the approval of the specialist.

14. RPs can perform certain surgeries within TOSP Table as delegated by specialist and appropriate to their levels of responsibilities based on their training and competence. Please refer to Annex A and Annex B for details.

15. RPs should have regular assessment and audit of their surgical cases. They will continue to practice determined by Singapore Medical Council (SMC) (if they are not fully registered) and/ or by the hospital if they are fully registered.

16. RPs should perform any other duties as directed by the Head of Department and/ or Director of Service. Please refer to Annex B for levels of responsibilities.

**Requirements**:
1) Possess basic medical degree or relevant post graduate qualification such as MMed, MRCP, MCEM, MRCS or equivalent. Post graduate qualification is a pre-requisite for Senior RP positions and above.

2) Minimum 3 years of clinical experience post Housemanship for entry RP position.

3) Must be registered with the Singapore Medical Council for clinical practice in Singapore.