Should I have signed already?

[epiepishockMD]

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When is the latest I should look to sign? December / January ?


[unnecessary background: PGY3 program, highly competitive, well published, glowing letters, national leadership, etc. I've gotten offers. I really just don't know where I want to be yet and want to keep looking around a little longer. Also the salaries / benefits aren't really matching my expectations so I'm unexpectedly looking in geographical locations I hand't considered in years prior.]

 

[namethatsmell]

Jobs always open up throughout the year, no worries there.

Figure you'll need 3-5 months before your hopeful start date for all the paperwork to go through that will allow you to walk into the ED. Your license/DEA will likely be the longest thing to come through. Hospital credentialing is variable.

 

[Apollyon]

At least here on my phone, the part that starts with "unnecessary" is in 2pt type. Now THAT is unnecessary!!

 

[deleted859535]

Agree that ~January is about the latest you'd want to sign.

State licensing, logistics around moving, etc, all takes time.

 

[Old_Mil]

When is the latest I should look to sign? December / January ?

Keep looking. Check out the Jobs thread for warnings, practicelink for openings. There is no shortage of them. Be warned, a lot of them aren't that great.

As far as a timeline, the only "big" benefit to signing by December is that any signing bonus you receive won't get taxed at a higher rate the year after you graduate. But that marginal benefit isn't worth picking the wrong job.

 

[carbonizedeyesockets]

I didn't start interviewing until January. Agreed to take a job and started the credentialing process in February. I would have preferred to have done it sooner, but life happened. So, you're not screwed if you start looking late. I know others that did similar and were fine. But, really, do it sooner than later if possible.

 

[epiepishockMD]

Thanks for the help.

Already have my medical license in the two states I would be happy living in (CA, TX). I guess I'll procrastinate until Jan/Feb.

 

[s109442]

When is the latest I should look to sign? December / January ?


[unnecessary background: PGY3 program, highly competitive, well published, glowing letters, national leadership, etc. I've gotten offers. I really just don't know where I want to be yet and want to keep looking around a little longer. Also the salaries / benefits aren't really matching my expectations so I'm unexpectedly looking in geographical locations I hand't considered in years prior.]

You could always do locums and not worry about it, they often can get you credentialed in weeks

 

[epiepishockMD]

You could always do locums and not worry about it, they often can get you credentialed in weeks

So i've submitted an application to some locum companies just in case. Has anyone actually done this right out of residency? Bad idea for a career?

 

[s109442]

So i've submitted an application to some locum companies just in case. Has anyone actually done this right out of residency? Bad idea for a career?

I was so burnt out from med school/residency, I graduated June 30th and didn't even look for a job for a month. Got an easy locums gig, they credentialed me in a few days. Did that 7-8, 12 hr shifts a month, seemed like enough money then found my permanent job. You been busting your ass, it's ok to pause

 

[The White Coat Investor]

We're just finishing our hire for the year now. We've definitely done it later. January or February.

 

[Old_Mil]

So i've submitted an application to some locum companies just in case. Has anyone actually done this right out of residency? Bad idea for a career?

Nothing "wrong" with it per say, just be careful where you do your locums. Some of those places can't keep the department staffed for a reason.

If I had to do it again, I probably would have done something like this...locums at three sites to start out with for about 6 months, and at that time, keep the best one and drop the other two. Add too others. Rinse, repeat. Then at the end of a couple of years you've gained some perspective, built a portfolio of (relatively) better places to work, and then maybe see if you can go full time at the best one.

 

[NinerNiner999]

No hurry here. Seriously. Your first job isn't your marriage, but your first attempt at being thrown into the dating world after a 7 year bad relationship (med school + residency). Take your time and look around. Income is everywhere, but the right fit takes some time and experience to know what you want and what your job will actually offer. Don't buy into the hype - there is no hurry to sign anything. If you know you want to work in a certain state, getting a license does not depend you having a job - just apply and have it ready. You're starting a marathon, not a sprint.

I do suggest, whatever your career aspirations are - especially in today's world - look for jobs that let you be part of the solution instead of a being cog in the wheel clocking in and out. Too many of us in our specialty have given away independent management and professional duty to the mentality of simply being a worker bee and letting other people figure that out. That's ok, as long as you know and trust the person/people "figuring it out" and that takes time. Again - no rush to sign...

 

[DO3]

Signed recently. Highly competitive place where > 8 ppl were interviewed for one spot. I wanted to wait and possibly do locums initially, but, when the best job in town that rarely has a spot finally has an opening, you have to take it. Honestly was shocked at how few “good” EM jobs were available when I was looking. There are jobs out there, but most were at places who frequently use locums to cover (red flag), in groups where only 1/3 of the docs or less were board certified in EM, etc.. Also, the group I signed with was the only group out of about 5-6 in the area that actually cared if you were EM trained. And this was in a major metropolitan area. Disconcerting that we specialize in EM, yet our training isn’t valued in a lot of groups. I held out for the one who valued it.