Acute internal medicine
Doctors working in acute internal medicine assess, investigate, diagnose and manage patients with conditions that exhibit severe symptoms that develop quickly and may be life-threatening.
You’ll care for patients as they first arrive at hospital, making an initial diagnosis and providing treatment for up to 72 hours.
Watch the above video where Dr Hannah Skene MBChB, FRCP(Edin), MMedSci, SFHEA talks about her career as a consultant in AIM.
Life in acute internal medicine
You’ll work as part of the acute medical unit, which is often very busy. You’ll treat patients of all ages with a wide range of clinical problems and interact with numerous colleagues including consultants, emergency department staff, critical care and other medical specialists.
You’ll regularly perform:
- lumbar puncture
- paracentesis – puncture of the wall of a body cavity (for example chest or abdomen) to drain off excess fluid or to obtain diagnostic material
- pleural aspiration – insertion of a small needle into the space between the lungs and the chest wall to remove fluid that has accumulated around the lung
Your exposure to a broad range of clinical problems will give you experience in all aspects of acute medical specialties and practical procedure skills.
You’ll gain experience in:
- managing acute presentation of medical illness promptly
- managing medical patients in an in-patient setting
- developing new patient pathways to maximise safe, effective care in the community where feasible
- providing leadership skills within an acute medical unit
- developing multi-professional systems to promote optimal patient care
- the care of patients requiring more intensive levels of care than would be generally managed in a medical ward, usually gained from experience within a critical care unit
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
What are my chances of starting a career in acute internal medicine?
There are approximately 504 doctors working in acute internal medicine in NHS, England. In 2020, there were 510 applications for 94 specialty training posts.
How to become a doctor in acute internal medicine
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a doctor in acute internal medicine, which will take a minimum of six years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career as a doctor working in intensive care medicine can take you
You’ll be required to development specialist skills as part of your acute internal medicine training. You can choose to specialise in a practical procedure such as echocardiography or gain qualifications in management, leadership or education.
You’ll also have opportunities to be involved in medical research.
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Senior Locally Employed Doctor in Acute Medicine
Crumpsall, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £61825.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant In General Internal Medicine
Winchester, SO22 5DG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Directorate Support Manager – Internal Medicine
Worthing and SRH, PO19 6SE
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Consultant - Acute Medicine
Truro, TR1 3LJ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
-
Acute Medicine Consultant
Swindon, SN3 6BB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Acute Medicine
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Acute Medicine Locum Consultant
Swindon, SN3 6BB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Acute Medicine
Chester, CH2 1UL
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Acute Medicine
Preston, PR2 9HT
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Acute Medicine
Eastbourne/ Hastings, BN21 2UD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Consultants Acute Medicine/Frailty
Bury, BL9 7TD
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
-
Lead Acute Medicine Pharmacist
Frimley, GU15 7UJ
- Salary :
- £57888.00 to £64880.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Training Programme Director General Internal Medicine NorthWest London
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Consultant Physician in Acute Medicine
Bodelwyddan, LL18 5UJ
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Occupational Therapist (Acute Medicine Cardiorespiratory)
Isleworth, TW7 6AF
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Specialist Physiotherapist - Acute medicine
Manchester, M41 5SL
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Acute and Respiratory Medicine
London, W6 8RF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Consultant Physician in Acute Medicine (AAU)
Newport, PO30 5TG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
-
Principal Pharmacist – Acute Medicine and Admissions
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Healthcare Assistant Apprentice - Acute Medicine a
Preston/Chorley, PR2 9HT
- Salary :
- £18525.00
- Type :
- Apprenticeship
- Employer :
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Elderly Medicine - Acute and Frailty - Hayes
London, UB8 3NN
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Lead Technician-Acute Medicine Pharmacy Dispensary Services
Nottingham, NG7 2UH
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts
-
Specialty Doctor in Acute Adult Inpatients - 2 Posts
Middlesbrough, TS4 3AF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Acute Medicine/ Microbiology
Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Acute Dietitian
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Acute Medicine (Entry on specialist register required)
Bolton, BL4 0JR
- Salary :
- £109724.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist - Acute General Medicine
Oxford, OX3 9DU
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pathology Administrative Assistant (INTERNAL)
Hereford, HR1 2ER
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
-
Data Quality Assistant *internal*
Carlisle, CA3 0HA
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Help Desk Administrator (INTERNAL)
Hereford, HR1 2BB
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
-
Specialist Podiatrist (Internal Only)
Congleton, CW12 3AR
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
-
Acute Occupational Therapist
Blackburn, BB2 3HH
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Healthcare Assistant (Acute)
Sunderland, SR4 7TP
- Salary :
- £24465.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Educator Endoscopy *Internal Applicants*
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Support Worker - Outpatients *internal*
Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Research Midwife *Internal Applicants Only*
Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Support Secretary (Internal Only)
Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
-
Housekeeper - Acute Medical Unit
Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant Acute General Physician
Haverfordwest, SA67 2PZ
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Catering Supervisor - Acute Patient
York, YO31 8HE
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York Teaching Hospital Facilities Management (LLP)
-
Acute Adult Consultant Psychiatrist
Warrington, WA2 8TR
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Senior Occupational Therapist (Acute)
Wigan, WN1 2NN
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist - Female Acute
Crewe, CW1 4QW
- Salary :
- £170000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Acute Senior Occupational Therapist
Doncaster, DN2 5LT
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
-
Consultant in Acute Paediatrics
Barnstaple, EX31 4JB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Support Secretary to Oncology - Internal only
Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
-
Project Manager - INTERNAL TO NHS WALES
Cardiff, CF11 9AD
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Digital Health and Care Wales
-
Clinical Support Worker, Ward 2 *Internal*
Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trainee Operating Department Practitioner Apprenticeship (INTERNAL)
Hereford, HR12ER
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Apprenticeship
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
-
Locality Manager **Internal HDFT Applicants Only**
Blyth Northumberland, NE24 1DX
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Agency, Medical & Dental Bank Administrator *Internal*
Carlisle, CA6 4SJ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Healthcare Assistant - Acute Stroke Unit
Worcester, WR5 1DD
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Clinical Psychologist- CAMHs Acute Care
Bournemouth, BH4 8EW
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Acute Respiratory Clinical Team Lead
Chichester, PO19 6SE
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Consultant Psychiatrist in Acute Care
Bodelwyddan, LL18 5UJ
- Salary :
- £91722.00 to £119079.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Specialist Physiotherapist - Acute Admissions Team
Chichester, PO196SE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Acute Consultant Geriatrician (Frailty Hub)
Dudley, DY1 2HQ
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
-
Healthcare Assistant - Acute Pain Team
Dartford, DA2 8DA
- Salary :
- £25768.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a doctor in acute internal medicine, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh