5 Steps to Become a Medical Director

A medical director is a physician who provides oversight for a clinical program or department within a healthcare organization. As a medical director, you will be responsible for ensuring that the quality of care provided meets or exceeds expectations and complies with all regulatory requirements. If you are interested in becoming a medical director, follow these five steps.

 

Earn Your MD or DO Degree

The first step to becoming a medical director is to earn your medical degree from an accredited institution. You will need to complete four years of undergraduate coursework followed by four years of medical school. Once you have earned your degree, you will need to obtain a license to practice medicine in your state.

Complete Your Residency Training

After you have obtained your medical degree and license, you will need to complete a residency training program. Residency training programs last for three to seven years, depending on your specialty. During your residency, you will receive hands-on training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

 

Obtain Board Certification

Once you have completed your residency training, you will need to obtain board certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). To be eligible for board certification, you must pass an examination that tests your knowledge and skills in your chosen specialty. Once you have passed the examination, you will be considered board-certified in your specialty.

 

Join a Professional Organization

After you have obtained your medical degree, completed your residency training, and become board-certified, you should consider joining a professional organization such as the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American College of Physicians (ACP). These organizations offer many benefits such as networking opportunities, educational resources, and advocacy on behalf of physicians.

 

Apply for Medical Director Positions

Once you have completed all of the previous steps, you can begin applying for medical director positions at healthcare organizations. To increase your chances of being hired, it is important to tailor your resume and cover letter to each position and highlight any relevant experience or skills that you possess. Additionally, networking with individuals who work at the healthcare organization where you would like to work can also help increase your chances of being hired for the position.

 

If you are interested in becoming a medical director, follow these five steps: earn your MD or DO degree from an accredited institution, complete a residency training program, obtain board certification, join a professional organization, and apply for medical director positions at healthcare organizations. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve your goal of becoming a medical director!


Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

4 Benefits of Engaging a Medical Director for Your Practice

A medical director provides an invaluable service for any practice. Their experience and knowledge can help guide you through tough decisions, provide direction for your team, and even improve the quality of care your patients receive. Here are just a few benefits of engaging a medical director as part of your practice.

Improved Patient Care

A medical director will help ensure that all physicians provide the highest quality care to their patients. They can provide valuable insights into what is working well and what could be improved upon to ensure patient satisfaction. They can also advocate for patient safety, ensuring all protocols and procedures are being followed properly to minimize the risk of errors or complications.

Enhanced Team Communication

Having a medical director on staff can help foster better communication between different departments within the practice. They can act as a liaison between physicians, nurses, and other staff members to create a more cohesive environment where everyone works together towards the same goal—providing the best possible patient care. The presence of a medical director will also help reduce potential conflicts by creating more clarity when it comes to decision-making processes within the practice.

Increased Efficiency

A medical director should be knowledgeable in all aspects of running a successful healthcare facility, from financial management to compliance with industry regulations. Their expertise in these areas allows them to identify any inefficient processes within the practice so they can be streamlined or improved upon for maximum efficiency levels across the board. This increased efficiency translates into better patient care and cost savings for patients and providers.

Increased Profitability

The presence of a competent medical director in your practice has been proven to lead to increased profitability over time due to their ability to manage costs effectively while still maintaining high standards of quality care for patients. Their experience in managing finances combined with their knowledge of industry regulations means they can make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources for your practice to run more profitably over time.

When it comes down to it, having an experienced and knowledgeable medical director on staff at your practice is an invaluable asset that cannot be overlooked or underestimated. From improving patient care, enhancing team communication, increasing efficiency, and ultimately boosting profitability—engaging a medical director should be considered essential, if you want your healthcare facility to run efficiently and effectively over time. If you’re considering engaging one, don’t hesitate; it will be worth it in the long run!

Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/people/Rachelle-Wilber/100009221637700/


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

What to Know Before Switching to a Telehealth Career

Telehealth has seen consistent growth in popularity over the last few years. But, the biggest “boom” came during the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, it was out of necessity as medical professionals worked to keep patients safe and protected. However, even as we enter a post-pandemic world, telehealth trends continue to go up.

Telehealth benefits both patients and physicians. It offers flexibility, greater inclusivity, and can encourage more people to practice preventative healthcare when they know they can chat with their doctor from the comfort of home.

If you’re considering a career in telehealth, now is a great time to get on board. However, it’s important to know what to expect, and how you can prepare yourself before you decide if it’s the right career move for you.

Consider What You Want

A career in telehealth can be rewarding. Depending on your position, you might interact directly with patients, offering medical advice and preventative care options that can improve their well-being or help them manage the symptoms of an illness. If you have a passion for helping people and want to do something truly meaningful, it’s a fantastic way to find fulfillment.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. It’s not always the same having to help someone virtually, rather than face-to-face. You’ll also have to deal with people from all walks of life, and not every patient will be pleasant. Some will have conditions that are difficult to handle. Others might be frustrated by the very technology they’re using to talk to you. So, while a career in telehealth can be convenient, really consider what you want before you take the plunge. Think about things like:

      • Your comfort level in working with people virtually
      • How much time you can devote to this career
      • How well you handle stressful situations

Once you’ve decided that you think this career choice would be a good fit for you, it’s time to determine what you need to actually make it happen. If you’re currently in the healthcare field, it might be easy to transfer your education

Do You Meet the Qualifications?

Maybe you’re totally new to the telehealth field but you have the desire to help people. You don’t need to be a doctor or specialist to work in telehealth. However, depending on your position, you might need to meet certain qualifications. That includes certifications and licenses, in some cases.

For example, if you’re a nurse, you’ll have to receive appropriate licensing through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Because telehealth services are in such high demand, you shouldn’t have a problem getting your licensure quickly so you can start helping people as soon as possible.

If you’re a doctor, or specialist, or work for a clinic that provides telehealth services, make sure your certifications are up-to-date, and familiarize yourself with the latest in telemedicine software. There are multiple platforms and options available, so educating yourself on how to utilize technology safely and effectively is essential for any type of telehealth career.

Some practices and clinics might eventually switch to mostly telehealth services, so you might be able to get your foot in the door as an administrator and help people make virtual appointments or assist with billing. Having experience as an administrator can make that transition easier for you. You’ll also need to brush up on skills like:

      • Patience
      • Empathy
      • Time management
      • Organization
      • Flexibility

If you truly want to determine what’s needed to start your career with the right qualifications, check the requirements in your state. They vary by location, and you could be closer to getting started than you might think!

The Ins and Outs of a Virtual Career

One of the most important things to consider if you want to switch to a telehealth career is whether virtual/remote work is a good fit for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to think about. While virtual work can offer more flexibility, it can also take a toll on your mental health if you’re not getting the social interaction you need.

Humans are social creatures. We need face-to-face interaction. If your work solely relies on a virtual environment, you might struggle with isolation and loneliness. You might even feel uninspired, unmotivated, and burnt out.

While mental health stigmas in the healthcare field are starting to crumble, be sure you’re comfortable prioritizing your own mental well-being, and even talking to a professional if you’re worried that you might struggle with this type of career. Practice self-care each day by exercising, eating healthy meals, and getting as much in-person interaction with people as possible.

Telehealth is the future. While it can’t completely replace all types of medical care, it will certainly change the face of medicine and how people approach preventative care for years to come. If you’re interested in making a career change to enjoy the benefits of telemedicine, use the information here to consider whether it’s the right move, and whether you’ll find happiness and fulfillment. If so, don’t hesitate to start moving forward with your new career right away. The need for workers is extremely high, and you could end up landing the job of your dreams quickly.


Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, activism-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter. 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How Can We Improve Healthcare in Underserved Communities?

Today’s healthcare landscape is vast and complex. Within it exists nearly infinite sub-environments and social contexts, all of which present unique strengths, weaknesses, and difficulties. However, one sweeping reality that affects countless people within the system is a common tendency towards inequitable care provision for certain communities and demographics over others.

The disproportionalities in healthcare provision experienced by specific subpopulations and underserved communities is a story that repeats itself over and over across the country (and around the world). This is a matter of deep concern for equity advocates in healthcare, and there are a number of voices within the healthcare landscape working towards changing this reality.

Current Disparities in Healthcare Access

One helpful lens for understanding healthcare disparities at scale is a set of statistics that reveal the average difference in care delivery and outcomes by demographic. These include social differentiators like income level, race, legal status, gender identity, disability, and religion.

Across a range of metrics, certain communities, like those that earn middle-class incomes or are white/Caucasian, receive (on average) better levels of care and enjoy easier access to healthcare providers than individuals within the same communities and geographic locations that fall into other demographic categories.

There are a number of ways these disparities play out in various settings or instances. A few trends in particular represent a large percentage of healthcare inequity cases across the country. These include the following:

Difficulties in Securing Health Insurance for Noncitizens

Because the American healthcare system is so tightly tied to the insurance industry, it is vastly difficult to obtain any kind of healthcare without some form of health insurance. Unfortunately, insurance is very difficult to secure for a number of demographics, including those with complicated legal statuses or those that don’t work or have permanent addresses.

Racist Policies, Sentiments, and Biases Within the Healthcare System

This is a hugely complex topic and involves deeply systemic and cultural influences. The result, however, is a serially prejudiced system that, on average, is more likely to provide subpar care and treatment to people of color than it is to white people.

Healthcare Professionals, Especially in Places of Leadership, Remain Disproportionately white, Cisgendered, and Male

Though this has long been an area of focus and attempted awareness within the professional healthcare community, it still remains disproportionately monotone. Numbers of ethnic minorities (and other minority groups) working in healthcare fields remain stubbornly low.

This perpetuates difficulties that many patients experience when receiving care from someone who does not look like them and does not fully understand their culture, experience, community, or context.

Current Initiatives that are Working to Equalize Access to Good Healthcare

Above are just some of the ways that the healthcare system is still operating to disproportionately help certain members of society more than others. But though the system is still fraught with these widespread inequalities and problems, strides are being taken towards balancing the healthcare system at large and changing some of these realities so that more people have adequate access to the healthcare they need.

Changing Legislation to Correct Implicitly Biased or Prejudiced Policies

Systemic manifestations of discrimination and racism are often baked into legislative policy. The process of assessing current legislation and reshaping it to be more equal and equitable is a long, painstaking process. However, it can be a source of deep and significant institutional change.

Design Initiatives to Encourage More Members of Minority Groups to Study Medicine

These might look like demographic-specific scholarships, programs, or job fairs; or curriculums implemented in high-minority primary and secondary education spaces. Encouraging minority groups to consider healthcare a viable career option can have ripple effects on not only current but future generations and create precedent for more individuals to choose to enter the healthcare workforce as well.

Prioritizing Public Health Campaigns that Equip and Empower Minority Demographics to Partake in Healthy Living

Statistics reveal strong disparities in health IQ and healthy living habits between, for example, white/caucasian populations and ethnic minority populations. The work of providing diverse cultural contexts and backgrounds with health information made pertinent and relevant to them is slowly gaining traction and needs to be increased.

Ways to Contribute Personally Towards Stronger Equity in Healthcare

If you are a healthcare professional and want to make a difference in bringing about better, more equitable healthcare provision for all communities, here are a few ways you can get involved in this process.

Educate Yourself on the Nuances of Providing Healthcare to Those of Different Cultures, Identities, and Ethnicities

Whether you yourself belong to a minority identity or not, everyone has room to learn and grow when it comes to becoming more culturally knowledgeable and equipped. Terms like “transcultural nursing” and “cultural sensitivity” help shape this concept into actionable knowledge areas.

Seeking out conferences, talks, reading materials, and training on these topics can help you better understand, identify with, empathize with, and respect people with different cultural or ethnic backgrounds than your own.

Advocate for Equitable Policies, Awareness, and Conduct Within Your Own Healthcare Facility

Whether you work for an independent local hospital, a large nationwide healthcare provider, or a small outpatient clinic, your healthcare environment may or may not have an adequate understanding of equitable practices and policies.

Speaking up for underserved communities and supporting implementation of better equity practices can help change the nature of your healthcare facility as well as educate your colleagues and fellow professionals about the importance of healthcare equity.

Find Opportunities to Volunteer Your Healthcare Expertise to Support Underserved Communities in Your Area

Especially in locations where disparities are large and certain demographics or populations have poor access to healthcare, find opportunities to volunteer with nonprofit organizations or other initiatives to meet the healthcare needs of communities that have the most difficulty accessing treatment. This can be a significant and often life-altering way of lessening healthcare inequality.


With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

6 Tips for Launching a Medical Startup

The competition in the medical industry is fierce. Complex health care relationships, stringent legal regulations, and high-security standards can hamper new product launches. Here are six tips for kicking off a medical startup.

1. Elevate Your Skill Set

Don’t expect to become an overnight success in the healthcare industry. Your products or services must be of the highest quality and in high demand to succeed in the medical industry. Enrolling in a professional development program to learn marketable abilities may be worthwhile.

Assuming you want to start a medical coding company, you may benefit from an online professional development coursein the industry. It can prepare you to mark medical procedures and service claims with the correct codes. You’ll also be able to show off your knowledge on a final test.

2. Understand the Conservative Market

In terms of funding and growth, medical technology is one of the most promising fields. In 2020, health care costs in the United States reached $4.1 trillion, or $12,530 per person, an increase of about 10% from 2019. Research by the 2020 Commonwealth Fund estimates that health care consumes 16.9% of national income. Thus, it has the highest health care costs and the highest patient demand in the world.

3. Choose Your Business Structure

In the United States, it’s mandatory for any business, including those in the healthcare industry, to form a separate legal organization. You’ll have to select a business structure before registering your company.

A limited liability company (LLC) offers the most benefits for startups. It shields you from responsibility for the company’s debts and lawsuits, keeping your wealth safe. In addition, the LLC is subject to pass-through taxation. This means that its members, not the business, are responsible for reporting the business’s tax obligations on their tax returns. If you’re wondering how to start an LLC, research your state’s LLC requirements, then save money on attorney’s fees by completing the forms yourself or hiring a formation service to assist you.

4. Comply With HIPAA

Any medical startup with a health care website offering user profiles, archives with patient records, or online invoicing tools must adhere strictly to HIPAA regulations and secure patient health data. HIPPA protects the confidentiality of medical records. The standard guidelines specify parameters for the safe and private sharing of electronic medical records. Penalties for HIPAA violations can reach $1.5 million annually, with each event carrying a maximum fine of $50,000.

5. Build Trust for Your Medical Business

There’s a lack of trust between fledgling businesses and established companies in the healthcare industry. So, if you want to succeed in the healthcare industry, you’ll need to network with extensive hospital systems, health insurance providers, and medical device manufacturers. Having a solid business plan with a detailed road map demonstrates your business has ambitions to grow and won’t just perish after receiving seed funding.

6. Hire Employees

As you begin to build your business, one of your top priorities will be hiring the right employees to help you achieve your goals. When choosing candidates for open positions at your company, it’s important to select staff members who have the skills and qualifications needed to excel in their roles. Beyond that, you should also look for individuals who have a strong work ethic, an ability to collaborate well with others, and an interest in helping your medical startup succeed. When you’re ready to hire employees, advertise your healthcare jobs at HeathJobsNationwide.com!

Take the First Step

Starting a medical business from scratch is no small feat. Take crucial steps like choosing the best business structure, researching the market, complying with HIPAA, and hiring capable employees.

By : Stephanie Haywood of MyLifeBoost.com


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Great Resignation Isn’t Sparing Healthcare

We have been hearing about the Great Resignation for about a year now. Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, the Great Resignation is a phenomenon that has seen millions of people leave their jobs since the start of the COVID pandemic. Some are leaving to find employment elsewhere within the same industry. Others are retiring early. Still others are looking for a complete change, looking for work in an entirely different field or starting a new business.

Unfortunately for healthcare, the Great Resignation isn’t sparing it. Just look at nurse practitioner jobs. They are as plentiful now as they have ever been. The same goes for nursing jobs, physician jobs, therapist jobs, and on and on. It is not clear where all the disaffected workers are going, but it is clear that healthcare facilities are now having to work harder than they ever have in the past to fill open positions.

Looking for Something New

It is not surprising that job boards would have a lot more open doctor, nurse, and nurse practitioner jobs since the start of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was obviously at the forefront of the pandemic. It still is. A lot of healthcare professionals just had their fill in the troubled year that was 2020. Many have decided it is time for a change.

Out in Idaho, the Idaho Press recently published an article about a group of healthcare professionals who had gotten together to discuss life after healthcare. Some of them were in the position of transitioning to new careers while others had already made the switch. The group represented everyone from nurse practitioners to therapists.

It is interesting that these professionals wanted to share their stories, not to encourage other healthcare workers to abandoned ship, but to let them know that other things were out there should they decide to try something new. That’s really what all of this is about. Whether it is healthcare or some other industry, the Great Resignation is about switching gears.

Those Who Stay Behind

Virtually every industry is reeling from the fallout of the Great Resignation. Those who stay behind have their own choices to make. Do they stay, or do they go? In healthcare, employers are doing everything they can to make sure their people stay. They have every reason to do so.

It goes without saying that healthcare workers are in the driver’s seat right now. They have a lot of leverage to ask for changes. Healthcare facilities have little choice but to comply with every reasonable request. Otherwise, they stand to continue losing workers to the Great Resignation.

From nurse practitioner jobs to allied health jobs, things in healthcare are changing rapidly. That is one of the things the group in Idaho mentioned. Many of the healthcare professionals who have decided to move on say that the modern work environment is nothing like what they knew when they first got started. Again, this is understandable. Nothing remains unchanged forever.

The Opportunities Are There

Even as the Great Resignation continues, opportunities for employment abound. If you are looking for nurse practitioner jobs, you will find plenty here on our jobs board. The same goes for therapist jobs, physician jobs, etc. Take the time to look around and maybe post your resume. There are employers out there very much interested in speaking with you.

In the meantime, the healthcare sector will have to continue changing in order to adapt to the modern workforce. The old ways of doing things are not going to work any longer. The faster healthcare adapts, the faster it will right the employment ship and start moving forward again.


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

That Moment You Realize the Doctor Is a Wannabe Rock Star

Search as many physician jobs as you want on our job board, and we’re betting you won’t find any that require musical skills. Musical ability has nothing to do with providing quality medical care. But that has not stopped a group of physicians in suburban Chicago from not only learning to play, but also using their musical talents to thank nurses and support staff.

 Imagine that moment the staff realized some of their doctors were wannabe rock stars. Imagine seeing a doctor you work closely with, day after day, doing his best Jimmy Buffet impression – just to make you smile. What recently happened at Central DuPage Hospital undoubtedly made a lot of people happy. The healthcare industry needs more of it.

 Plenty of Bad News

 We do not have to look far to find bad news in healthcare. There is plenty of it. From physician burnout to nurses leaving clinical work in droves, we could spend all day focusing on the problems. Those problems do need some attention, but they shouldn’t command all of our attention. There is more than enough good to focus on.

 Some of that good was tapped into by Northwestern Medicine’s Dr. Anthony F. Altimari, M.D. According to the Daily Harald, Altimari’s love of music goes beyond just the music itself. He finds it therapeutic. When the stresses of his profession start getting to him, he picks up his guitar and goes to town.

Altimari is apparently not alone. He has made it his mission to encourage colleagues at Central DuPage to do the same thing. Many of them have. So much so that a bunch of them got together and put on a concert for hospital staff. The concert was a way for them to show their appreciation for how hard nurses and support staff worked during the COVID pandemic.

 Doctors Are People Too

 Physician jobs are a dime a dozen. That being the case, it is easy for the rest of us to forget that doctors are people too. They have families to take care of. They have bills to pay, houses to maintain, and cars that need to go into the shop for work. They also have their dreams and ambitions outside of medicine.

 Some of the nursing staff at Central DuPage were probably shocked to discover that the doctors they work with are also wannabe rock stars. But why should that be so unusual? Music is universal. People love it wherever you go. Furthermore, far more people possess musical talent than actually use it to benefit others.

 Your surgeon may have the steadiest hands in the business. And if so, you probably appreciate that. But perhaps those same hands are capable of performing guitar licks that would rival anything Jimmy Hendrix produced. Then again, maybe your highly skilled surgeon couldn’t carry a note in a bucket. You just don’t know.

 The Good Side of Medicine

 If nothing else, nurses and support staff at Central DuPage recently got a break from their stressful jobs. They got to enjoy the good side of medicine brought to them by a group of rocker doctors who just happen to be very good on their instruments. What a sight that must have been for the staff.

 Are you currently on the hunt for good physician jobs? If so, remember that there is more to life than work. Do whatever job you eventually land to the best of your ability. But do not hesitate to pursue other interests as well. You might be able to use those interests to do something good for others.


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Why the Search for the Perfect Physician Job Might Come up Empty

The world loves superlatives. Most of us think nothing of categorizing something as the ‘best’. And in fact, the introduction of digital marketing in the internet era has caused us to take superlatives to unprecedented levels. We even do it in the healthcare sector, particularly when it comes to discussing the ‘perfect job’.

How many of us have searched for the perfect physician job among the thousands that seem to always be listed? How many of us really believe the perfect job exists? It may or may not. The one thing we can say for sure is that the search for the perfect physician job sometimes comes up empty. But that is true for any career.

Physicians might be at a slight disadvantage here due to the high honor we attach to the profession. We assume that because becoming a physician requires so much time and effort, physician jobs are somehow superior to other career choices. And with that thinking comes the inevitable letdown when a doctor fails to find the perfect job promised in medical school.

3 Main Job Criteria

Your average job seeker searches for jobs based on their particular criteria. That criteria could be anything. But by and large, there are three things that dominate most job searches:

  • Salary
  • Location
  • Description

If you are like most people, your search for physician jobs is dominated by salary requirements. In other words, you look for the jobs that pay the most. You may be the kind of person who wants to work in a particular geographic location, so that might be just as important to you as salary. But what about job description?

Job seekers tend to look at descriptions to see if they qualify. Some go so far as to try to understand what a particular job entails by paying close attention to minute description details. But let’s be honest. When push comes to shove, job description takes a distant third place to salary and location.

Scoring the Trifecta

To use a horse betting analogy, finding a physician job that met all your requirements for salary, location, and job description would be like hitting the trifecta. Is it possible? Absolutely. Is it likely? Perhaps.

Conventional wisdom says that you can probably count on getting two of the three but getting all three is not likely. Does that mean you should not try for the trifecta? Absolutely not. You definitely will not get all three if you do not try. If you do try, you may or may not succeed.

This all boils down to the idea of pragmatism. One’s search for healthcare jobs can be supported by plenty of optimism and high hopes for the future. But it can also be tempered with the pragmatic reality that perfection is hard to come by. When one accepts the fact that the perfect job may either not exist or not be found on the first try, finding a job becomes easier.

Perfect Is a Matter of Perspective

Taking a pragmatic approach to physicians jobs does not automatically mean settling for whatever you can get. Rather, a better way to look at it is to acknowledge that perfection is a matter of perspective. A physician job that pays well, allows a good work-life balance, and gives you an opportunity to grow professionally may be exactly what you need. It may not be what you dreamed of, but so what?

Like any other job category, physician jobs are abundant. Whether or not you will find the perfect job remains to be seen.


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Where Physician Salaries Are Highest & Lowest

Physician salaries often reflect the high level of education, skill, and dedication it takes to become a medical doctor, but not for everyone or everywhere.

Some jobs are known for being well-paying, and physicians are usually at the top of that list, both informally and formally, often ranking at the top of any and every “Highest Paying Jobs” list. As arguably one of the most prestigious professions, the pay often reflects the level of education, skill, and dedication it takes to become a medical doctor. However, not for everyone and not everywhere.

Below are the 10 states where physicians make the most and the least, on average, according to 2020 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for family medicine physicians, general internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, surgeons, and other types of physicians.

Family Medicine Physicians – Highest Paying States

  1. Alaska – $264,010
  2. New Hampshire – $255,090
  3. Wisconsin – $254,690
  4. Hawaii – $251,180
  5. Minnesota – $248,630
  6. Washington – $245,360
  7. Indiana – $241,600
  8. Montana – $237,990
  9. Massachusetts – $235,950
  10. Georgia – $232,190

Family Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States

  1. West Virginia – $173,790
  2. District of Columbia – $174,210
  3. Kentucky – $180,700
  4. Maine – $190,060
  5. Ohio – $190,650
  6. Missouri – $194,120
  7. New Mexico – $194,260
  8. Colorado – $199,190
  9. New York – $200,170
  10. Connecticut – $202,130

General Internal Medicine Physicians – Highest Paying States

  1. South Dakota – $286,330
  2. Alaska – $282,730
  3. South Carolina – $282,620
  4. Nevada – $277,340
  5. Wisconsin – $276,400
  6. Wyoming – $273,750
  7. North Carolina – $273,320
  8. New Mexico – $271,210
  9. Indiana – $264,840
  10. Minnesota – $256,340

General Internal Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States

  1. West Virginia – $151,100
  2. Michigan – $169,870
  3. Tennessee – $170,370
  4. New York – $171,360
  5. Missouri – $180,870
  6. Ohio – $190,140
  7. Massachusetts – $194,720
  8. Rhode Island – $198,290
  9. Texas – $201,560
  10. Nebraska – $203,950

Pediatricians – Highest Paying States

  1. Montana – $268,760
  2. Alaska – $263,390
  3. Utah – $255,900
  4. New Hampshire – $255,170
  5. Wisconsin – $246,020
  6. Rhode Island – $231,910
  7. Nevada – $229,620
  8. Wyoming – $224,170
  9. Iowa – $223,940
  10. Pennsylvania – $223,350

Pediatricians – Lowest Paying States

  1. Nebraska – $131,250
  2. Kansas – $132,850
  3. Louisiana – $152,350
  4. Georgia – $152,980
  5. Florida – $158,270
  6. North Carolina – $159,530
  7. Tennessee – $159,620
  8. Oklahoma – $168,660
  9. Alabama – $169,380
  10. Ohio – $169,380

Surgeons – Highest Paying States

  1. South Carolina – $295,380
  2. Oregon – $293,170
  3. Kentucky – $292,350
  4. South Dakota – $290,730
  5. Maryland – $287,900
  6. Louisiana – $287,840
  7. District of Columbia – $286,160
  8. Rhode Island – $285,920
  9. Arizona – $284,260
  10. Mississippi – $282,660

Surgeons – Lowest Paying States

  1. Tennessee – $200,990
  2. New York – $213,160
  3. Michigan – $220,120
  4. Indiana – $221,850
  5. Arkansas – $227,080
  6. Virginia – $228,310
  7. Georgia – $229,340
  8. Vermont – $229,420
  9. California – $229,430
  10. Montana – $233,880

Other Physicians – Highest Paying States

  1. Maine – $279,700
  2. Montana – $271,560
  3. South Dakota – $269,100
  4. Alaska – $266,200
  5. Wyoming – $263,540
  6. Hawaii – $263,200
  7. Indiana – $260,540
  8. Wisconsin – $258,470
  9. Nevada – $251,840
  10. Georgia – $251,300

Other Physicians – Lowest Paying States

  1. Michigan – $178,230
  2. Kansas – $180,960
  3. Mississippi – $184,170
  4. Massachusetts – $187,980
  5. Tennessee – $194,700
  6. North Carolina – $198,750
  7. Pennsylvania – $202,340
  8. New York – $204,290
  9. Oklahoma – $205,440
  10. Oregon – $205,460

Ready to start your search for a higher paying physician job? Click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

New Projections: 37K to 124K Physician Shortage by 2034

A new report projects the U.S. will experience a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034. What’s driving the shortage, other than COVID-19?

The Association of American Medical Colleges now predicts the United States will experience a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 doctors by 2034, according to their new report, The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2019 to 2034.

The report raises further alarm within the industry, which is still grappling with increased workforce shortages due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the report’s key findings and projections include:

  • A primary care physician shortage of between 17,800 and 48,000 by 2034.
  • A shortage of non-primary care specialty physicians of between 21,000 and 77,100 by 2034 including:
    • Between 15,800 and 30,200 for Surgical Specialties.
    • Between 3,800 and 13,400 for Medical Specialties.
    • Between 10,300 and 35,600 for the Other Specialties category.
  • Population growth and aging continue to be the primary source of increasing demand from 2019 to 2034, during which the U.S. population is projected to grow by 10.6%, from about 328.2 million to 363.0 million.
  • Aging is also a factor on the provider side, as well, with more than 40% of currently active physicians turning 65 or older within the next decade.

The report also highlights the short- and long-term consequences the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have on the nation’s physician workforce, including on training, regulation, practice, workforce exits, and many other factors.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many of the deepest disparities in health and access to health care services and exposed vulnerabilities in the health care system,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD in a statement released in conjunction with the report. “The pandemic also has underscored the vital role that physicians and other health care providers play in our nation’s health care infrastructure and the need to ensure we have enough physicians to meet America’s needs.”

According to data from our jobs site, California, New York, and Texas are currently seeing the greatest need for physicians.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.