General internal medicine
Doctors working in general internal medicine treat patients with a wide range of acute and long-term medical conditions.
You’ll spend the majority of your time working between an acute medical unit, medical admissions unit and a medical ward managing patients with a wide range of clinical problems.
Life in general internal medicine
Vital to your success will be your ability to accurately diagnose patients, manage uncertainty, deal with co-morbidities (complex medical problems involving multiple symptoms and conditions) and recognise when the opinion and intervention of another specialist is required.
Typically, you’ll deal with:
- advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- direct current (DC) cardioversion (a procedure to convert an abnormal heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm)
- temporary cardiac pacing
- insertion of venous lines (peripheral and central)
- aspiration of fluid from chest and abdomen
- insertion of drainage catheters into chest and abdomen
- lumbar puncture
- prescribing of drugs for acute and long-term conditions
Most doctors working in general internal medicine obtain dual specialty e.g. cardiology and general internal medicine, acute internal medicine and general internal medicine or geriatric medicine and general internal medicine.
Your dual specialty will increase your patient involvement and see you collaborate with a wide range of colleagues as part of an acute medical care workforce.
A large part of your day will involve reviewing newly admitted patients and continuing treatment for the most unwell, as well as providing care for patients awaiting an operation but who have an acute illness.
Every day you’ll:
- diagnose and treat a wide range of medical disorders, referring for specialist opinion and care as appropriate
- provide advice and care for patients admitted to hospital under other specialties (e.g. surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology) who have medical problems
- diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions that are referred to medical outpatient clinics
- manage inpatients and outpatients with co-morbidities, including elderly patients with frailty and dementia
Treating people who are acutely ill and often in life-threatening circumstances is highly rewarding but very challenging.
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 general internal medicine?
There are approximately 891 consultants working in general internal medicine in the NHS in England.
How to become a doctor in general 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 general internal medicine, which will take a minimum of three years. Most doctors in general internal medicine obtain dual specialty, which will typically require a minimum of seven years training.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career in general internal medicine can take you
You could specialise in:
- acute internal medicine
- cardiology
- endocrinology and diabetes
- gastroenterology
- geriatric medicine
- renal medicine
- respiratory medicine
You’ll also have opportunities to conduct research and teach.
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Consultant In General Internal Medicine
Winchester, SO22 5DG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Training Programme Director General Internal Medicine NorthWest London
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
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)
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trust Doctor (CT1/2 Equivalent) in General and Elderly Medicine
Worthing, BN11 2DH
- Salary :
- £44170.00 to £57397.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Speciality Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Burslem, ST6 7AG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine
Bridgend, CF31 1RQ
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Specialty Doctor Palliative Medicine - Sustantive
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine
Burton-On-Trent, DE13 0RB
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine
Guildford, GU2 7XX
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Respiratory Medicine
Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in General Medicine Interest in Respiratory Medicine
Jersey, JE2 3RR
- Salary :
- £114667.80 to £170947.54
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Health and Community Services
-
Consultant in General Medicine
Orpington, BR6 8ND
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in General Medicine
Newport, PO30 5TG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
-
Locum Specialty Doctor in Stroke Medicine
Cwmbran, NP44 8YN
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Specialty Doctor Emergency Medicine (Conquest Hospital)
St Leonards-on-sea, TN37 7RD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Clinical Fellow in General Medicine
Jersey, JE2 3RR
- Salary :
- £54957.76 to £66260.48
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Health and Community Services
-
Consultant in Respiratory & General Medicine
Carlisle/Whitehaven, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £93666.00 to £126281.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Fellow in General Medicine
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Advanced Clinical Pharmacist - General Medicine
Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy General Manager - Specialist Medicine
Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
- Salary :
- £64455.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Service Manager (Internal Only)
Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS 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
-
Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine
Romford, RM4 1QH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Saint Francis Hospice
-
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
-
Locum Respiratory Consultant with General Medicine
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locally Employed Doctor (Higher) in Emergency Medicine QEHB
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham 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
-
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
-
Health Care Assistant - General Medicine Ward 5B
Prescot, L35 5DR
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Elderly Care (Frailty) / General Medicine
Carmarthen, SA31 2AF
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Specialist Occupational Therapist - Acute and General Medicine
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locally Employed Doctor (Higher) in Emergency Medicine - HGS sites
Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Project Manager - INTERNAL TO NHS WALES
Cardiff, CF11 9AD
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Digital Health and Care Wales
-
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
-
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
-
*INTERNAL MPFT APPLICANTS ONLY* Team Manager
Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0DX
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Inclusion
-
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
-
Outpatients Sister - Band 6 (Internal Only)
Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and General Medicine
Telford, TF1 6TF
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Geriatric & General Medicine *Welcome Bonus 12K*
Ipswich, IP4 5PD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trust Doctor in Neonatal Medicine (Eqv. to ST4-8 level)
London, E1 1FR
- Salary :
- £52291.00 to £62502.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
*INTERNAL MPFT APPS ONLY* Eating Disorders Practitioner
Stafford, ST163NE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Technical Officer - Dispensing Services *Internal Only*
Carlisle, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £24625.00 to £25674.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Oncology Clerical Assistant (ROH INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY)
Birmingham, B31 2AP
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Implementation and Effectiveness Manager (PET/MRT) - INTERNAL
Pontypridd, CF37 5YL
- Salary :
- £56514.00 to £63623.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
National Framework Auditor - INTERNAL TO NHS WALES
Pontypridd, CF15 7QZ
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Senior Living Well Coach *Internal Applicants Only*
Cumbria, CA7 9DD
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Systems User Support Team Manager (INTERNAL)
Hereford, HR1 2AZ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
-
**INTERNAL MPFT APPS ONLY** Clinical Team Leader
Hanley, Stoke On Trent, ST1 3DR
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Showing 6 of 59 results
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These organisations have further information about being a doctor in general internal medicine, particularly as your career progresses, so take a look.
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh