How to Become a Hospitalist: Education, Training, and Career Path

Doctors with a focus on treating patients in hospitals are known as hospitalists. They collaborate closely with nurses, pharmacists, and social workers to offer patients with thorough medical treatment during their hospital stay. Hospitalists are in charge of making diagnoses, prescribing drugs, ordering diagnostic procedures, and, if necessary, coordinating care with other specialists.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step in becoming a hospitalist is to complete your undergraduate studies in a suitable subject, such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. A four-year degree is often required for entrance to medical schools, while some may favor candidates with a background in science or healthcare.

2. Attend Medical School: To obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, you must attend medical school after receiving your Bachelor’s degree. The four years it takes to graduate from medical school are split between classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.

3. Complete Residency Training You must complete a residency program in internal medicine or family medicine after receiving your medical degree. A residency entails rigorous clinical training in a hospital or clinic environment and typically lasts three years to complete. To hone your abilities in patient care, diagnosis, and treatment during your residency, you will collaborate closely with seasoned medical professionals.

4. Obtain Board Certification: After completing your residency, you must obtain internal medicine or family medicine board certification. Passing a test is necessary for certification, which is offered by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Family Medicine.

5. Obtain a License You must receive a medical license in the state where you intend to work in order to practice medicine in the United States. State-specific standards differ, but generally speaking, getting a license requires passing an exam and meeting continuing education requirements. Hospitalists see how many patients on average.

Depending on the hospital and the seriousness of the patients’ ailments, a hospitalist may see fewer or more patients in a given day. Hospitalists often see between 15 and 20 patients each day. However, some hospitalists might see up to 30 patients in a day, while others might only see less than 10.

Hospitalist positions are open to physician assistants (PAs) who are supervised by a licensed physician. Although only doctors who have finished an internal medicine or family medicine residency are currently qualified to become board-certified as hospitalists, PAs are not.

A doctor who focuses their practice on treating patients in hospitals is known as a hospitalist. They are in charge of overseeing patients’ medical treatment during their stay in hospitals, where they primarily work. A doctor who oversees and instructs medical residents and students is known as an attending physician. Attendings may work in a range of places, such as clinics, university medical facilities, and hospitals. Can a Nurse Work as a Hospitalist? Hospitalists are not able to be nurses. Hospitalists must hold a medical license, have finished their internal medicine or family medicine residency, and be board certified in their area of expertise. However, nurses can collaborate closely with hospitalists as a member of the medical staff, offering aid and support with patient care.