So, congratulations on graduating from medical school and completing your training and residency. You might have passed the exams already, and you’re looking for the best jobs that are going to be the right fit for you. Where do you even start, though?
There might be a lot of competition out there, but don’t you worry. Some studies show that those younger doctors often find their first jobs through their networks or referrals from their family or friends. Some would talk to facilities and recruiters from their schools, so they can be referred to the right places.
How to Get Started on Your Job-Hunting?
Don’t be afraid to talk to other attending or resident physicians about possible job openings in the hospitals where you’ve been an intern before. You might have liked their culture and want to get absorbed, and a similar path will mean that you should be able to see various opportunities that can be an excellent fit for your personality and job requirements.
Attend conferences or online webinars to learn which places are looking for doctors. Your city or state councils are also going to host a job fair that’s specific for people who are doing medical job searches, and this can be a good starting point if you want to boost your career.
Look at the Job Boards
There are classified ads that are only specific to nurses, doctors, locum tenens, and other healthcare providers in your area. You will see the qualifications that the employers are looking for, as well as the location of the clinic or the hospital. Some will even disclose the salary so you will know if everything is going to be worth it.
Insurance companies, government agencies, non-profits, and pharmaceutical companies are always in need of staff that are related to medicine and health. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so this is something that you should know first before accepting the contract.
Experiences can vary depending on your place of assignment and the volume of patients that you’re required to attend to daily. If you choose a metropolitan setting, expect a deluge of appointments each day with lots of paperwork, but it can also happen in rural areas. Just be careful to avoid burnout and take the time to ask your mentors and peers about their experience so you’ll also have realistic expectations. See info about burnout on this site here.
Know the Compensation Range
Salaries can be pretty much a straightforward process, but you have to be clear on whether you want a per diem, full-time, or salaried payment. It will certainly help in narrowing options, and there is loan forgiveness that you might also qualify for.
It can save you around a thousand dollars for these kinds of programs, and this can be applicable if you work in an underserved community. Ask the recruiters for other perks, bonuses, days off, and the overall compensation that you’ll be getting to see if it’s all worth it.
Location of the Healthcare Setting
When your place of work is near your current address, everything can be smoother. You may be used to the fast-paced living of the metropolitan hospitals, where you can get access to various lab tests, experts in the field, and other resources so you can get opportunities to specialize. On the other hand, others are more at home in a remote county setting where they will know that the community is going to have a higher demand for their expertise and skills.
Search for specific locations and input the keywords of the places where you would want to work best. See which institutions are going to benefit you the most so you can save money or not need to pay a mortgage or rent. You would also want to enjoy your weekdays and rest with your family and friends, so make sure that the location is somewhere near.
Policies and Network
Healthcare systems are going to have a huge effect on your work. As an example, those who were working at small clinic facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic may be forced to work longer shifts and ungodly hours because no one else was expected to do thorough sanitation and cleaning of their offices. Read a post about the pandemic in this URL: https://www.statista.com/page/covid-19-coronavirus.
On the other hand, a hospital can have an army of cleaners who will be devoted to maintaining the safety protocols in place. Search for a partner that can support and compensate you in a better way.
Size of the Specialty Group You’re Working On
Hospitals have more staff than rural centers, and if there’s adequate staff to cover shifts, you will be able to rest well and have some independence with your schedule. You might also be someone who is looking for a challenge in the workplace. Your team or the group where you belong can have an impact on your clinic hours and the administrative work that needs to be done daily, so choose well.