When searching for a physician position, focus on yourself, not the money

Under economic stress, it might be difficult not to focus on dollar signs when searching for a professional opportunity as a physician, but it's also important to focus on finding a positive work environment.

Anne Folger, senior talent acquisition and recruitment manager for non-profit health system Banner Health, says weighing the pros and cons of the work environment, along with personal desires and goals, should top the list of job-hunting concerns.

"Physicians need to be aware of the different markets across the nation and also learn about the benefits of a particular organization that are beyond compensation and general total comp packages," she says. "Beyond how much we're going to pay, you want to take a look at the long-term strategy of the organization and whether it is a good fit."

Folger, who has been in the physician recruitment industry 15 years and is the past president of the National Association of Physician Recruiters, says there are five things to remember when conducting a thorough job search:

Ensure you're in alignment on location with your significant other.

Focus your search on a geographic preference, if you have one.

Determine your lifestyle preference and whether you prefer the employment or private practice model.

Take a look at your schedule preferences.

Be prepared in an interview to ask the appropriate questions.

One change Folger has seen develop in the staffing industry the past few years is the incorporation of the Internet and social media in the job search process-from both the employer and the employee.

"Right now, we do the majority of connecting through the Internet and phone calls," she says. "Previously, we would do a lot of mailers."

The speed the Internet adds to the hiring process is valuable when filling primary care physician (PCP) positions, she adds.

"PCPs are becoming more difficult to find than they were even 4 years ago," Folger says. "For years, the hard-to-fill positions were specialists. It's predicted that we will have a PCP shortage, and I think we're starting to see that."

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