A hospitalist is a physician that works on the floors of a hospital treating patients who are held overnight or longer for treatment and observation. Most hospitalists work 10-12 hour shifts for a week at a time, and then receive the following week off making the career a good option for individuals who like that type of schedule. Hospitalists attend undergraduate and medical school and must pass the national licensing exam for physicians before beginning their training with an emphasis in internal medicine. Most hospitals require four years of training in a residency program after medical school to become a hospitalist.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for hospitalists will continue to be excellent in the next decade. The salary for a hospitalist varies from about $175,000 to over $250,000 depending on the skill and experience of the physician.