starting for work after residency

[ceng2doc]

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Dear all,

I'll start my post-bacc in this year. I've been a computer engineer, a career-changer. I'm new to this journey, and don't even have a deep info about how to find a position after residency in medicine.

I used to find job(s) through monster.com as a software engineer, contract or full-time (I always preferred full-time, though).

Somehow, I used to think of that the doctors could be matched to jobs automatically after residency. Could someone tell me the process of this transitioning from a resident to a fulltime doctor, starting just from the end of residency years / months? How do you guys take care of that next, yet last, step in the profession?

I've also heard that certain layoffs could be taking place as no profession is recession-proof in the States. Is that true, or how much true? Spending tha many years on studying the medicine, and having that much of a debts, may things turn up side down just with a pink pay slip? Is our future in between two lips of a finance manager at the hospital, for whatever reason?

Thanks a lot for your comments & experiences, in advance,

 

[Mr hawkings]

Dear all,

I'll start my post-bacc in this year. I've been a computer engineer, a career-changer. I'm new to this journey, and don't even have a deep info about how to find a position after residency in medicine.

I used to find job(s) through monster.com as a software engineer, contract or full-time (I always preferred full-time, though).

Somehow, I used to think of that the doctors could be matched to jobs automatically after residency. Could someone tell me the process of this transitioning from a resident to a fulltime doctor, starting just from the end of residency years / months? How do you guys take care of that next, yet last, step in the profession?

I've also heard that certain layoffs could be taking place as no profession is recession-proof in the States. Is that true, or how much true? Spending tha many years on studying the medicine, and having that much of a debts, may things turn up side down just with a pink pay slip? Is our future in between two lips of a finance manager at the hospital, for whatever reason?

Thanks a lot for your comments & experiences, in advance,

Dont worry,

By the time you get to that point, you will be well-versed in how to find a job.

In addition to the more traditional ways of finding a job (ads, internet resources, being recruited), there are head-hunters who will find you a spot for a commision (paid for by your future employer).
Also, by the time you get to third year of residency, you will start receiving offers in the mail from groups and job agents that would like to recruit you.

Certain groups also have relationships with certain hsopitals and will come and give presentations to residents to pimp their repective practices.

This is what i have learnt thus far from my wife who is going through the job search process. SOme one else can add to (or correct) these points.

 

[njbmd]

There are no guarantees in anything. If you are looking at medicine as a means of always having a "job", you are not going to particularly enjoy this profession or perform well. Being a physician doen't mean that you will always be in demand.

At this point, you need to concentrate on getting into medical school and as the poster above noted, by the time you get to the end of residency, you will have an idea of where the jobs are.

 

[ceng2doc]

There are no guarantees in anything. If you are looking at medicine as a means of always having a "job", you are not going to particularly enjoy this profession or perform well. Being a physician doen't mean that you will always be in demand.

Actually, since it's a profession, it wouldn't hurt much seeing my options ahead of time in the game. But, if it were a hobby, I wouldn't care that much.

It sure is a very serious question for me, as I'm not a spoiled kid of filthy rich family, and have to bring bread home at the end of the day. If there's no guarantees, then who do you think will pay for my accumulated debt of medical school tution, and etc. ?

I guess I could make my point without giving you any confusion or hard feelings.

At this point, you need to concentrate on getting into medical school and as the poster above noted, by the time you get to the end of residency, you will have an idea of where the jobs are.

I'm not a high-school pupil who has more dreams than realities. I'm a career changer, and am successful at my current profession. I'm switching the career because I love to become a medical doctor. There's no doubt in that.

...

Anybody would like to share his/her experiences or comments are the most welcome here!

Thanks for your understanding and helps,

 

[MossPoh]

Ok, so how does being successful at your current job change the fact that you need to get into a medical school first? You have to get through 4 years of med school and then another 3+ years of residency. That is still a lot of time to ponder job questions. If you are willing to work in the middle of nowhere or in less than ideal situations then no, you will not have to worry much about losing your job. I have seen doctors not get their contracts renewed with the hospital and have to find another gig somewhere else though. It just depends.

 

[Mr hawkings]

OP,
I understand where you are coming from. It can be frustrating when the answer to every question is "focus on getting into med school".

Just take heart in the fact that these people are in the very position you want to be in a few years from now and they know what they are talking about. Once you get in, everything will fall into place.

The med school/residency system is set up such that you are always exposed to all the information you will need for the next step.
So dont worry, halfway through residency, you will be bomarded left and right with information about your job prospects.

And to answer your question about recession-proof or not. Theres no job with better job security than this one. You might not like the location of the country the available job is in, but there will always be a spot for a capable competent board certified physician somewhere or the other.

 

[ceng2doc]

OP,
I understand where you are coming from. It can be frustrating when the answer to every question is "focus on getting into med school".

Just take heart in the fact that these people are in the very position you want to be in a few years from now and they know what they are talking about. Once you get in, everything will fall into place.

The med school/residency system is set up such that you are always exposed to all the information you will need for the next step.
So dont worry, halfway through residency, you will be bomarded left and right with information about your job prospects.

And to answer your question about recession-proof or not. Theres no job with better job security than this one. You might not like the location of the country the available job is in, but there will always be a spot for a capable competent board certified physician somewhere or the other.

Thanks Mr hawkings, that was some fair and informative answer for me.

 

[januarylily]

OP,

I'm not yet in school, but can tell you a what I know from my (limited) personal experience. My father said that during his last year of residency, his program director offered him a position if he stayed on to do his fellowship training at that hospital. In "Better," by Atul Gawande (excellent read, even if you don't decide on becoming a doc ^^), Atul explains how his program director offered him a job at his hospital after he completed his residency as well.

Also, I've seen posts for docs on professional search engines. So there is your more "traditional" route to find a job after residency. I'm not sure if they were for fresh-graduates, however.

On my interviews, I talked with a married couple, 4th years. They were planning on opening a family medicine practice together after residency.

Most recently I talked with my PCP (private practice). He told me he found his former partner through his wife; this partner joined his practice after completing her residency.

So I think there are definitely many, many avenues to find work after graduation. Hope this helps!

 

[ceng2doc]

OP,

I'm not yet in school, but can tell you a what I know from my (limited) personal experience. My father said that during his last year of residency, his program director offered him a position if he stayed on to do his fellowship training at that hospital. In "Better," by Atul Gawande (excellent read, even if you don't decide on becoming a doc ^^), Atul explains how his program director offered him a job at his hospital after he completed his residency as well.

Also, I've seen posts for docs on professional search engines. So there is your more "traditional" route to find a job after residency. I'm not sure if they were for fresh-graduates, however.

On my interviews, I talked with a married couple, 4th years. They were planning on opening a family medicine practice together after residency.

Most recently I talked with my PCP (private practice). He told me he found his former partner through his wife; this partner joined his practice after completing her residency.

So I think there are definitely many, many avenues to find work after graduation. Hope this helps!

Cool tips lilly, thanks a bunch!

 

[WellWornLad]

There are fluctuations in employment within particular specialties. Radiology comes to mind, they were hurting in the 90's but have recovered nicely since then.

That said, "hurting" in medicine usually means that you may have trouble finding a job in California or the northeast. If you don't mind the south you can make a ton of money. They are desperate for doctors in some regions, and they will seek you out when you're near the end of residency.

Maybe there's no such thing as a guarantee in life, but medicine is as close as it gets in terms of job security. I used to work in computer science, and I feel better now knowing that in a post-apocalyptic world I will still be useful to people.

 

[MossPoh]

There are fluctuations in employment within particular specialties. Radiology comes to mind, they were hurting in the 90's but have recovered nicely since then.

That said, "hurting" in medicine usually means that you may have trouble finding a job in California or the northeast. If you don't mind the south you can make a ton of money. They are desperate for doctors in some regions, and they will seek you out when you're near the end of residency.

Maybe there's no such thing as a guarantee in life, but medicine is as close as it gets in terms of job security. I used to work in computer science, and I feel better now knowing that in a post-apocalyptic world I will still be useful to people.

Radiology is still hurting. It just depends on the state. Last fall there was an article in radiographics that talked about how every rads graduate for the year in the country could take a job in Pennsylvania and they'd still be understaffed.

 

[ceng2doc]

There are fluctuations in employment within particular specialties. Radiology comes to mind, they were hurting in the 90's but have recovered nicely since then.

That said, "hurting" in medicine usually means that you may have trouble finding a job in California or the northeast. If you don't mind the south you can make a ton of money. They are desperate for doctors in some regions, and they will seek you out when you're near the end of residency.

Maybe there's no such thing as a guarantee in life, but medicine is as close as it gets in terms of job security. I used to work in computer science, and I feel better now knowing that in a post-apocalyptic world I will still be useful to people.

Having both a BS on computer engineering and an MS on computer science, I tended to lean towards radiology. But, honestly, we've already decided to remain in California after residency. So, what could our best bet(s) be regarding to specialties, especially in CA (Los Angeles, Orange County)?

 

[ceng2doc]

Radiology is still hurting. It just depends on the state. Last fall there was an article in radiographics that talked about how every rads graduate for the year in the country could take a job in Pennsylvania and they'd still be understaffed.

That's huge! What makes PA crave that much for radiologists?

 

[MossPoh]

None of them want to work there. They can make more money with less stress in other states.

 

[Winged Scapula]

That's huge! What makes PA crave that much for radiologists?

Pennsylvania is in malpractice crisis with exhorbitant malpractice insurance rates and number of suits.

The number 1 litigated problem is a missed breast cancer for which Radiologists, Pathologists and FM are sued.

Radiologists have a good reason, like so many other specialties, to avoid PA.

 

[DrJosephKim]

Many residents start making connections with executive search firms (headhunters) who help you find a job after residency. Most of these firms will not charge you anything. They get paid by the hiring company/group/practice/hospital/etc.

If you reach out to these groups, you won't have any problems finding a job (unless you're extremely picky about location, etc.)

 

[ceng2doc]

Many residents start making connections with executive search firms (headhunters) who help you find a job after residency. Most of these firms will not charge you anything. They get paid by the hiring company/group/practice/hospital/etc.

If you reach out to these groups, you won't have any problems finding a job (unless you're extremely picky about location, etc.)

It seems each state, even particular regions in a given state, has its own characteristics when it comes to find a position after residency depending on your specialty.

We decided to remain in California (especially in Los Angeles, and Orange County) as a family. How do you think which specialties I should focus the most in order to boost my chances in the region?

 

[MossPoh]

Pennsylvania is in malpractice crisis with exhorbitant malpractice insurance rates and number of suits.

The number 1 litigated problem is a missed breast cancer for which Radiologists, Pathologists and FM are sued.

Radiologists have a good reason, like so many other specialties, to avoid PA.

Your answer is much better. WS FTW.