by Michael P. Broxterman, COO & Wendy Abdo, Staff Writer
Are you a doctor actively searching the job market for the perfect employment opportunity? Can you identify the four keys that are important in finding the right position? Annually, about ten percent of the physician workforce is seeking employment. However, it is important for all physicians to know how to find the right fit. If you are looking into opportunities, you must understand what you, as a doctor, can offer a potential employer and what you yourself are looking for both professionally and personally. Below we have outlined the four most important components you should consider before accepting an offer.
#1 – Understand Job Parameters
What does the medical facility need? Do they need a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy? What particular qualifications are they looking for, and how do you meet these qualifications? Is malpractice an issue? Before you even interview with a potential employer, these basic questions should be answered. In addition, it is important to clearly define your goals and convey them to your potential employer. By eliminating from consideration the job opportunities that do not match your qualifications and goals, you will be able to save yourself much time and effort. Still, always keep in mind that the more specific you are in your wants, the more limited your available choices become.
#2 – Ensure You Are Getting Competitive Compensation
Can you recognize a bad offer or bad market conditions? It is important to educate yourself in these matters. Based on the current market, ask yourself if the job offers competitive compensation. Always remember that the attractiveness of the offer is relative to the medical facility’s current situation. For instance, hospitals located in larger cities do not have to offer as high a salary as hospitals in smaller towns. In addition, there are thousands of small towns that have the same type of amenities such as low cost of living, low crime rate, parks, outdoor recreation, etc. In order to attract physicians, hospitals in smaller towns must offer higher compensation benefits to actively compete against larger towns and stand out against the crowd of other small towns.
#3 – Know Community Demographics
What are the characteristics of the community in question? Would you enjoy living there? Over 90 percent of doctors are interested larger cities, while only 5 to 6 percent are attracted to small towns. In addition, that 5 to 6 percent of physicians who would consider moving to smaller towns would also consider moving to mid-sized cities that have a population of 150,000. Here is a sample of community features that affect your decision to accept a job offer:
Attractive Features Include:
– Close Proximity to Big-City Amenities
– Low Medicare/Medicaid Population
– Large Hospital with State-of-the-Art Technology
– High Income Area With High Population Growth
Unattractive Features Include:
– Far From Big-City Amenities
– High Medicare/Medicaid Population
– Small Hospital with Older Technology
– Low Income Area with Flat or Declining Population
#4 – Recognize Local Politics
Many physicians see themselves as competitors. Family practices compete with other family practices and this causes problems. If you encounter resistance from other physicians while interviewing, it is a definite turnoff. However, it is the medical facility’s responsibility to promote the cooperation of existing physicians. What causes discord between new and existing physicians? The following two reasons are cited as being very problematic:
- Potential future practices may geographically overlap current practices causing existing physicians to fear a reduction in their patient volume.
- Local specialists may worry that new primary care physicians will disrupt their current referral pattern.
It is important for a medical facility to gain the support of its physicians and local community. During your interview, you should make it a point to get a feel for the local social climate to see if this is the right move for you. While there, talk with other physicians and staff members and ask them questions about the organization, the community, and other doctors practicing in the area.
Conclusion
These four key fundamentals are essential in laying the groundwork for successfully finding the right job opportunities. You must educate yourself on what to look for in a medical organization. This includes understanding the job parameters, ensuring you are offered competitive compensation, knowing community demographics, and recognizing the local “political” environment. These points will aid you in your search efforts and help you recognize the very best job opportunities that are available to you.
References
Stepnick, Larry. The Advisory Board Company. Physician Recruitment: Ten Management Practices of Top Hospital Recruiters. The Advisory Board Company: 1992.