What Do Internist Do?
Career 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.
Life As an Internist: What Do They Do?
- Monitor patients’ conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
- 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.
- Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
- Prepare government or organizational reports on birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or the medical status of individuals.
- Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
Featured schools near , edit
Qualities of an Internist
When polled, Internists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Physician-Internist
- Emergency Medicine Physician
- Rheumatologist
- Physician-General Internal Medicine
- Staff Internist, Office-Based Only
Job Outlook for Internists
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. The BLS estimates 2,100 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Average Internists Salary
Internists make between $57,420 and $208,000 a year.
Internists who work in Alabama, Alaska, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Internists make 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Internists
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
- SOAPware EMR
- e-MDs software
- ChartWare EMR
- Novell GroupWise
- Practice Partner Total Practice Partner
- Medical reference software
- Epocrates Essentials
How to Become an Internist
What education is needed to be an Internist?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Internist?
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Internist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.