Hospitalist Jobs: A Rising Profession

By Adriana Noton

The rise of hospitalist jobs has a lot to do with the rising cost of health care. Medical doctors are also stretched far beyond their means. And the use of a hospitalist has become a growing trend. They can step in where a doctor is not available. It is a career path that is seeing a lot of growth and visibility.

Approximately ten years ago the hospitalist industry hit a boom. Many hospitals and physicians alike, choose to work with these medical professionals. With the reduction of doctor's salary because of the rising costs of health and medical care, many MDs have reduced their services. They have drastically lessened the amount of on-call and work hours. There for making this particular profession a growing field.

Many practices and hospitals are now looking to the hospitalist position to help out with the void of available MDs. As well as the high demand for patient care. Especially within the elderly community. People are living longer and require more care as they age. These medical professionals are often seen in hospital emergency rooms. They tend to patient's until the MD is available to treat them. It is there job to be in constant communication with the MD regarding a patient's treatment and care.

This is a position that holds many advantages over a visiting MD. Firstly, the hospitalist is more familiar with the workings of the particular hospital. They have the in on the politics, operations and staff. They are also more intimately involved with the patients than the MD may be. They are the first to know if anything goes wrong and the immediate actions that must be taken.

Being on-site all of the time is a huge advantage for the hospitalist. They get to constantly interact with patients, allowing them the opportunity to really get to know them. The hospital's doctors usually only see the patients during rounds. They only get to know medical statistics but not the actual patient.

In order to obtain a Hospitalists job, candidates must finish their medical school requirements. They will usually specialize in one of three areas, internal medicine, family practice or pediatrics. They are just as qualified as the patient's primary care physician.

Hospitalist that are attached to a special private patients, will work with those patients. Others may be independent and work with whichever private medial practices are affiliated with that particular hospital. There are many career choices and paths available. Doctors are in constant need of the additional help.

Hospitalist jobs are on the rise. The earnings are high and the hours are usually manageable. Most patients only contact with this position is during an ER visit or a longer hospital stay. They will also provide a patient's follow up care based solely on the primary care physicians medical plan. You should know how to effectively communicate with this medical professional to assure the best care. Patients should have a list of any medications they are currently taking. Anything special diets should also be relayed to the hospitalist on duty. And any other special needs like a therapist or special visiting nurse requirements will also be fulfilled by the hospitalist upon speaking with the patient's medical doctor.

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