Life As an Internist
Job Description: Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
Internist Responsibilities
- Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influenza or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
- Plan, implement, or administer health programs in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention and treatment of injuries or illnesses.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
- Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
- Make diagnoses when different illnesses occur together or in situations where the diagnosis may be obscure.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Internist?
These are the skills Internists say are the most useful in their careers:
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Internist Medical Director of Acute Rehabilitation
- Attending, Ambulatory Care
- Physician-General Internal Medicine
- Pulmonary Physician
- Endocrinologist
What Kind of Internist Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 49,800 jobs in the United States for Internist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,200 new jobs for Internist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Internist are Arizona, Oregon, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Rhode Island, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Internist Make?
The typical yearly salary for Internists is somewhere between $57,420 and $208,000.

Internists who work in Alabama, Alaska, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Internists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $236,850 |
Alaska | $226,770 |
Arizona | $217,820 |
Arkansas | $220,010 |
California | $207,050 |
Colorado | $220,070 |
Connecticut | $236,460 |
Delaware | $182,950 |
District of Columbia | $150,430 |
Florida | $204,230 |
Georgia | $111,250 |
Hawaii | $212,360 |
Idaho | $195,330 |
Illinois | $195,610 |
Indiana | $197,370 |
Iowa | $211,250 |
Kansas | $197,440 |
Kentucky | $194,150 |
Louisiana | $194,910 |
Maine | $236,220 |
Maryland | $177,670 |
Massachusetts | $246,240 |
Minnesota | $251,310 |
Mississippi | $240,050 |
Missouri | $230,620 |
Montana | $205,220 |
Nebraska | $259,500 |
Nevada | $260,100 |
New Hampshire | $265,930 |
New Jersey | $249,200 |
New Mexico | $267,630 |
New York | $195,250 |
North Carolina | $260,860 |
North Dakota | $191,700 |
Ohio | $219,910 |
Oklahoma | $216,910 |
Oregon | $251,050 |
Pennsylvania | $208,400 |
Rhode Island | $195,430 |
South Carolina | $223,900 |
South Dakota | $287,890 |
Tennessee | $208,860 |
Texas | $145,230 |
Utah | $229,850 |
Vermont | $221,310 |
Virginia | $224,700 |
Washington | $220,150 |
Wisconsin | $251,480 |
Wyoming | $275,350 |
What Tools do Internists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Internists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Epic Systems
- Billing software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Practice management software PMS
- eClinicalWorks
- Allscripts Professional EHR
- e-MDs software
- SOAPware EMR
- ChartWare EMR
- Novell GroupWise
- Practice Partner Total Practice Partner
- Medical reference software
- MedcomSoft Record
How to Become an Internist
Learn what Internist education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Internist?

Where Internists Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Internists work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Internist may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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