Job Market tight in major metropolitan areas?

[Metalblade]

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Hey,

Wondering what peoples experiences have been with finding jobs in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Houston, and so forth? I find that there aren't too many jobs to begin with and the ones that are there are pretty crappy. I got offered 160k to start in Chicago 6 months ago.

And it seems like partnership is a thing of the past. Most groups seem to be hiring on an employee basis with a productivity bonus at the end. And the groups with good payor mixes don't seem to be adding people or aren't giving partnership anymore.

I'd like to know what people are experiencing? And is this trend likely to end or is this the future of anesthesia?

 

[BLADEMDA]

Hey,

Wondering what peoples experiences have been with finding jobs in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Houston, and so forth? I find that there aren't too many jobs to begin with and the ones that are there are pretty crappy. I got offered 160k to start in Chicago 6 months ago.

And it seems like partnership is a thing of the past. Most groups seem to be hiring on an employee basis with a productivity bonus at the end. And the groups with good payor mixes don't seem to be adding people or aren't giving partnership anymore.

I'd like to know what people are experiencing? And is this trend likely to end or is this the future of anesthesia?

This may be temporary for several reasons. First, the recession and decline in stocks and housing. Second, the perception of Obamacare leading to the end of lucrative salaries/reimbursements. Third, the encroachment of midlevels more and more into solo practice. Eventually, the Groups will tire of working 60 plus hours a week and add new staff.

 

[urge]

It's getting tight compared to a few yrs ago. 160k is an insult though. CRNAs and AAs make 120-140k right out of school working 3 days a week without call. I wouldn't take that. Let the partners work their arse off until they come up with a better offer.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Agree with the above. My group is not hiring, and won't be for sometime. As for 160K for a chicago job??? F that.

On another note, is your username an homage to the record label??? If so, awesome!

 

[cchoukal]

Sounds like the Shecter/Continental group. They're sort of a super group that staffs MANY of the private hospitals in Chicago proper. There are a handful of non-Shecter places IN the city, and lots of stuff in the suburbs (private, small groups, often MD-only). These are obviously desirable and harder to get, but I know my classmates from residency that didn't want to do fellowships did pretty well getting into these groups.

 

[IlDestriero]

I've seen mommy track jobs (7-3, no call) that pay almost twice that with full benefits. That offer is an insult. You could probably make more doing locums and take 6 months off. The return of 90's style fear and greed.

 

[ProRealDoc]

Hey,

Wondering what peoples experiences have been with finding jobs in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Houston, and so forth? I find that there aren't too many jobs to begin with and the ones that are there are pretty crappy. I got offered 160k to start in Chicago 6 months ago.

And it seems like partnership is a thing of the past. Most groups seem to be hiring on an employee basis with a productivity bonus at the end. And the groups with good payor mixes don't seem to be adding people or aren't giving partnership anymore.

I'd like to know what people are experiencing? And is this trend likely to end or is this the future of anesthesia?

I've been talking to some groups around the country and what I've heard is not surprising. Low starting salaries as in the 200-210K to start x 3 years (this seems to be very common in TX) running around from hospital to hospital following surgeons, etc and promises of riches at the end.

I've also encountered some reluctance from groups when it comes to discussing the fine details. They are happy to tell you how much they expect you to work, take call and generate revenue for the group but nothing else.

Some employed positions seem to pay better as in the mid 300s. In this day and age of uncertainty and looming Obamacare, I'd be reluctant to take any partnership track >2 years. As many have said, the anesthesia group really owns nothing and gives you nothing except the privilege to work in a certain part of the country. I'd rather take a cushy academic job, an employed position or go to cowtown and make bank before I give a penny of my hard earned money to anyone. But that's just me--I'm cheap that way

 

[countingdays]

I've been talking to some groups around the country and what I've heard is not surprising. Low starting salaries as in the 200-210K to start x 3 years (this seems to be very common in TX) running around from hospital to hospital following surgeons, etc and promises of riches at the end.

I've also encountered some reluctance from groups when it comes to discussing the fine details. They are happy to tell you how much they expect you to work, take call and generate revenue for the group but nothing else.

Some employed positions seem to pay better as in the mid 300s. In this day and age of uncertainty and looming Obamacare, I'd be reluctant to take any partnership track >2 years. As many have said, the anesthesia group really owns nothing and gives you nothing except the privilege to work in a certain part of the country. I'd rather take a cushy academic job, an employed position or go to cowtown and make bank before I give a penny of my hard earned money to anyone. But that's just me--I'm cheap that way

My biggest problem with the low paid partnership tract is that the low pay for three years is supposed to be your buy-in. So what if you don't become a partner in 3 years? What do they call it then? Theft? If they take your money as a buy-in to partnership, then they should have to give it back if you don't make partner. Lots of greedy sobs out there.

 

[ProRealDoc]

My biggest problem with the low paid partnership tract is that the low pay for three years is supposed to be your buy-in. So what if you don't become a partner in 3 years? What do they call it then? Theft? If they take your money as a buy-in to partnership, then they should have to give it back if you don't make partner. Lots of greedy sobs out there.

A buddy of mine that I graduated with who's now working in the east coast shared a funny story with me about a group he applied to.

The group coincidentally had two of our former senior residents that had graduated three years ahead of us and who went straight to work without doing fellowship.

When my buddy called them to ask them about the group and getting help with an interview and such, these two douchebags starting asking my buddy what special skills he would bring to the group and basically shot him down. Funny how people change once they go into PP and start making a few bucks.

 

[sevo85288]

You need to look harder. I have several friends who landed jobs in the city of Chicago recently. Min 250K. There are lots of jobs in Chicago and suburbs. Contact the programs and talk to residency coordinators. They will help you. FYI the academic programs are always hiring and they pay well.

 

[sevoflurane]

A buddy of mine that I graduated with who's now working in the east coast shared a funny story with me about a group he applied to.

The group coincidentally had two of our former senior residents that had graduated three years ahead of us and who went straight to work without doing fellowship.

When my buddy called them to ask them about the group and getting help with an interview and such, these two douchebags starting asking my buddy what special skills he would bring to the group and basically shot him down. Funny how people change once they go into PP and start making a few bucks.

Sounds like these guys were just a couple of d-bags. I wouldn't say this is universal in any way.

I've brought in fellow residents into my practice. I have connections through residency and have had offers to relocate to other practices.

The thing about knowing someone or knowing where they trained is that, in general, you know what type of anesthesiologist/person they are and wether or not they will fit into your practice.

Connections in the anesthesia world is the #1 way of securing a good job, IMHO.

 

[IN2B8R]

Sounds like these guys were just a couple of d-bags. I wouldn't say this is universal in any way.

I've brought in fellow residents into my practice. I have connections through residency and have had offers to relocate to other practices.

The thing about knowing someone or knowing where they trained is that, in general, you know what type of anesthesiologist/person they are and wether or not they will fit into your practice.

Connections in the anesthesia world is the #1 way of securing a good job, IMHO.

I will second that. Connections are huge. Helps to know if someone trained where I have trained: at least I know that they can carry their own weight.... as opposed to me (the now PP guy) having to bail them out constantly.