LocumLife - June 2008 - (Page 8)

RESOURCES Residency corner Job search tips from industry insiders Broadening horizons After completing an accelerated OB/GYN training program, David Mitchell, MD, found himself facing some tough choices at a relatively young age. Lisa Daggett “ also experience different practice settings and techniques without making a permanent commitment. It seemed tailormade for someone just out of residency.” FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Dr. Mitchell decided to broaden his options by contacting several staffing agencies. Over the last 2 years, he has signed on with five of them: Alpharetta, Georgia-based Jackson & Coker; D&Y in Huntsville, Alabama; Staff Care headquartered in Irving, Texas; Norcross, Georgia-based Medical Doctor Associates; and Onyx M.D., located in Denver, Colorado. “I think it is important to try a variety of companies to find the ones with whom you can generate a good relationship. For me, these staffing agencies have been great, and I have had only positive experiences. Jackson & Coker is the most recent addition to my list. Though I have not yet had the opportunity to accept a contract through them, we clicked right away, and I am looking forward to providing coverage for them in the future.” Since becoming a locum tenens physician, Dr. Mitchell has completed eight contracts. “Each opportunity was unique in its own way, but they were all wonderful learning experiences. More than half were short-term call coverage, where I got to treat new patient populations and still have time to explore a new area. I also did three long-term contracts, which were fantastic. The longest—which was actually my first, and my favorite to date—was for 7 months in the Southwest.” Dr. Mitchell provided services in a southwestern town, right on the border of Mexico, through D&Y. “I had always wanted to see this area of the country in the winter, so when they told me the contract would start in October, I immediately accepted. Originally, I was supposed to leave at the end of December, but it was such a good situation, I ultimately stayed until early April 2007.” In Dr. Mitchell’s case, the population in that part of the country is expanding so rapidly that there is an ongoing need for OB/GYN physicians.“Folks there are used to utilizing locum tenens providers as a way to fill that need. In fact, one of my colleagues there had been providing temporary services for more than a year. So the client was happy to have me stay on, and the patients were grateful to have more physician services.” A CULTURAL EXCHANGE The people he met, colleagues and patients alike, were part of the reason Dr. Mitchell extended his stay. “I provided services in a multi-specialty community health center, which featured OB/GYN care, as well as adult and pediatric medicine and dentistry. The practice itself was a newly developed, state-of-the-art facility staffed with wonderful people. My colleagues were welcoming and helpful, and the patients were warm and receptive.” Dr. Mitchell typically saw patients in the clinic Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.“I was able to take a generous lunch hour most days, and I was also on call every other day. We averaged about one delivery a day, so most nights I would get called into the hospital, which comprised three labor www.LocumLife.com I was 29 years old when I finished my residency in 2006 and had never lived anywhere but my own home state in the Midwest. After staying in the same place for college, medical school, and residency, I was ready to go somewhere new. The question, however, was where.” Eager to maintain his autonomy and flexibility, Dr. Mitchell researched his options.“During residency, I received plenty of advice and suggestions on how to transition into “real world” medicine. But locum tenens practice was never part of those discussions. So when I did some digging on my own, I was delighted to discover the advantages of this practice alternative. Not only would it allow me to see different parts of the country for weeks or months at a time, but I could SAGE ADVICE ● Take the incentive to research your practice options while in residency ● Broaden your opportunities by registering with several staffing firms ● Take time to develop relationships with your staffing representatives ● Experience new opportunities and different patient populations ● Be willing to reinvent yourself at each location 8 LocumLife JUNE 2008 http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - June 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Survey Says Last Minute Luxury Residency Corner Antarctica Bound 2008 Locum Tenens of the Year Awards Career Center Opportunities Direct Advertisers' Index Recruiters of the Year Showcase Contest Rules Destinations La Vita Locum

LocumLife - June 2008

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