It’s almost spring and according to Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd, we only have six more weeks of winter! Spring time by definition refers to the season and ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth. This not only refers to the vegetation that comes from the soil, but also to your career.
Though you are free to explore career opportunities anytime of the year, the most active time of the year for hiring comes in the spring time. Hospitals and healthcare organizations are hiring their new medical school graduates and seasoned veteran physicians most frequently in the spring and early summer months. Often for many individuals this is an overwhelming task that is difficult to meander. It is often at this point I strongly recommend physicians use recruiters as a resource.
Recruiters work with hundreds of physicians annually and work with you to establish your true priorities and the opportunities worth considering. Here is my list of the top 10 things to evaluate when looking at new practice opportunities this spring:
- Know in order your level of priority when it comes to location, compensation, and practice setting.
a. Location: Set specific areas or states you are looking in.
b. Compensation: Know if you want a strong base salary or if you can work on a RVU based compensation structure.
c. Practice Setting: Define if you want an employed position, private practice, multi or single specialty practice setting. - Look at the benefits package when considering opportunities, including sign on bonuses and loan forgiveness options.
- Take your personal and family’s wants, wishes, and desires into consideration when choosing a new practice. We all know that when mom’s not happy, no one is.
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate on your first offer.
- Look at multiple opportunities and schedule multiple site visits. You need to be able to compare and contrast opportunities.
- Consider malpractice rates and insurance when looking at what states you want to practice in.
- Have a professional look over your final employment contract.
- Know how long it takes to get a medical license in a new state and how long it takes to get privileges at a hospital.
- Look at the cost of living when evaluating compensation packages if you are looking in multiple areas.
- FINALLY: Go with your gut. You know your wants, wishes, and desires better than anyone else. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something seems off, it probably is. Find what feels right!
Bill Payson started working as a Senior Account Manager in the Physicians Division of Aureus Medical Group in August 2012. He was responsible for new client growth, current account management, and physician recruitment. Bill has since become a Regional Account Manager and serves as the team lead for the Physician Division that encompasses both direct hire placement and locum tenens. In his free time, Bill is busy taking care of his wife, as they are soon expecting twin boys, and also running and golfing when he gets the chance.