How Physicians Find Jobs Today

By Kay Wysong, CMSR
Director of Physician Recruitment for Primary Care
Methodist Health System

In the ever-changing field of health care, physician roles have been evolving over the last few decades. The change begins with how physicians find jobs today, what’s important to them, and how they’re using technology in the communication process.

Physicians, like most of society, are increasingly connected and interacting via social media. Finding a way to effectively tap into the online world of physician recruiting is the key.

Thirty years ago, the most common way to reach residents and physicians looking to
make a change was through print media. I put many ads in journals and then waited for physicians to send me their curriculum vitae (CV). At Methodist Health System, we sponsored exhibits at physician meetings, put up displays, and handed out brochures.
This multi-pronged approach was effective because the loyalty factor was high. Generally, once physician recruits signed on the dotted line, they seldom left their practice or made
a move.

Today, quality of personal life is becoming just as important as quality of professional life to physicians, new and veteran. Physicians are much more mobile and willing to relocate for a position that offers that ideal mix. That’s why it’s important for residents to first assess what is important to them, personally and professionally, before they begin their search.

At Methodist, we visit professional organizations and conferences to connect with residents and physicians who want to make a change. Here are five tips physicians may want to consider as they prepare for the next chapter in their career:

• Geographic area. Where do you want to live? Which state? Do you want to live in a large city or in a suburban or rural area? Do you want to live and work in the same area or commute? If you are married, what about your spouse’s wishes?
• Type of practice. Which type of practice do you want -- a single specialty practice, a large group employed practice, or a private practice where you might have the opportunity to become a partner?
• Case mix. Which kind of case mix would you like to see? Do you want to work with the full spectrum of care, from pediatrics to geriatrics?
• Compensation. Remember, it will take time to reach the optimum level of compensation. Be patient. Consider the future potential.
• Culture. As you start meeting with practices, think about the culture you’re looking for. Do you feel comfortable with the practice? Do you feel you have been welcomed? Is it a supportive environment?

Next, you’ll need to get your CV ready. Then start networking with others such as attending physicians in the area, hospital administrators, faculty members, and colleagues. That’s where the Internet and social media enter the picture. Visit online job banks such as practicelink.com, practicematch.com, and healthecareers.com. In addition, physicians are increasingly using Facebook and LinkedIn to connect with others.

AMN Healthcare, parent company of Merritt Hawkins, a leading physician recruitment firm, conducted its 2011 Social Media Survey to discover how health care professionals (nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and allied health care professionals) are taking advantage of social media to further their careers. Today, nearly one in three of all clinicians surveyed said they used social media sites for searching, which is up 10 percent since 2010. When it comes to networking, health care professionals have increased their use of social networking platforms (48 percent) to further their professional networking activities,
up 11 percent year over year. Facebook continues to be the top social media site for professional networking.

Methodist is changing too, and today we are more connected with physicians through LinkedIn, Facebook, and blogs than ever before. As one of Texas’ leading teaching and referral centers, Methodist has a medical staff of more than 900 physicians representing over 60 specialties. With a growing organization of four hospitals –- Methodist Dallas, Methodist Charlton, Methodist Mansfield, and Methodist Richardson Medical Centers -- our practitioners see the spectrum of patients and disease conditions that you would expect in a large metropolitan area. But we’re still small enough that you feel you are part of a family.

If you’re ready to consider integrating your primary care practice into Methodist Health System, contact Kay Wysong at kaywysong@mhd.com. Or, for medical and surgical specialists, contact Susan Hellman at susanhellman@mhd.com or visit Jobs.MethodistHealthSystem.org. We look forward to exploring these opportunities together.

 

© Methodist Health System

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals.

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