(1) It is advisable to start early.Start when you are midway through your training.
Be prepared to enter additional program like fellowships to retain status if you begin your search with one year or
less before finishing your program. A waiver process is quite time consuming and does not even begin until
you sign a contract. For example, #You will need a state license to start the processing, which could take upto six months in some states.
#Unless the employer is familiar with the process, it could take longer .For example, the employer must provide evidence of unsuccessful efforts to recruit U.S. physicians
for the position- by advertising in journals,etc. # Sometimes some agencies participating in the waiver program opt out
and the physicians are left stranded. They then have to leave or scramble for
another similar position,
which is very difficult to do at short notice. More Details here.
(2)After passing your Step 3, have your credentials verified by FCVS.
Verification of credentials takes a long time, especially from our medical schools, so if you have your credentials
verified by some entity, it will save time to get your state license. Most states accept FCVS except five.
Find the complete list here. Some states require FCVS
( ME, MN, NH, RI, OH, UT-M, UT-O, NV-O, NY, VI ).
You will need your license to apply for your waiver.
It is relatively easier to get license in some states, so if you know where you are going to practise, then you might not need to use FCVS, as they are expensive.
(3) Determine the geographic region or state you want to practice in.It is easier to get a job,if employer knows you have the state license . So get the state license .
(4) Determine the practice type you want- hospitalist or solo or group.
(5) Determine your acceptable salary range. Average starting physician salary here.
(6) Determine benefits like Relocation Expenses,Health, Life, and Disability Insurance,
Malpractice Insurance, Vacation, CME, Licensing Expenses.
(7) Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae. Tips for writing CV here.More waiver
CV tips here.
(8) Prepare your cover letter. Tips for writing cover letters here.
(9) Get three letters of recommendation from your attendings.
(10)Get a case number. Apply for case number here.
(11)There are three ways of finding a job-
*Through personal contacts.
*Through a recruiter.
*Through self search.
(12) Recruiters: Ethical recruiters will not ask for money from the physician , the employers will be paying them. They will ask for recommendation letters from your program and call your references even before they tell you where you will be interviewing.
Interview expenses like air fare for the physician and his family, accommodation ,car rentals are usually all paid for by the prospective employer . NAPR has a list of physician recruiters.
(13) Rural Recruitment and Retention Network at 3rnet.org assists health
professionals secure practice opportunities in rural America. In order to benefit from their services, you must register
with 3R Net, which means that your contact information will be entered into their database and the information made available
to states with opportunities that match your interests. It is highly recommended to register with them.
(3rnet) They are a not-for-profit organization. I used to get job opportunities mailed to me from states of Kansas, Oregon, Texas, Washington.
(14) Contact the state boards of medicine -some of them assist with possible job opportunities.
(15) Find out the underserved areas in the state you want to practise in.
Use the following links to find underserved areas.
*HPSA Areas
*Health Professional Shortage Areas Database
*Medically Underserved Areas Database
*To check a street address in a city to see if it is located within a designated HPSA, use this link. This provides census tract information if the street address, along with either the city/state OR zip code are provided.
(16)Look through the yellow pages,
Blue Book
or AHA Hospital book for the name, address and contact numbers of the hospitals in these underserved areas.
Have three letters of recommendation and your CV ready. Start calling and sending out your CV .
(17) The following websites lists job opportunities .Many of my friends have found opportunities through the following sites.
DISCLAIMER-Having links to these web sites does not constitute endorsement of their services nor does it imply acceptance of any liability that may be incurred as a result of surfing their sites. As with everything else on the net user beware and use at own risk.