physician careers

What matters most to you? 

Is it compensation? Maybe you’re most interested in clinical excellence? Perhaps it’s patient outcomes? 

All play a role in your ability to build a career that is as long-lasting as it is rewarding–but they might not be as important as the hospital community in which you work. 

That’s right, where you work matters at least as much as how much you make, how well you perform, and whether or not patients achieve the best possible outcomes. 

If this sounds far-fetched, consider the study conducted by Press Ganey on the influence of nurses’ work environments on patients, payments, and nurses themselves. 

It found that work environment–the hospital community in which the nurses worked–played the largest role in overall job satisfaction. 

And the study included employees and outcome data from 2,000 hospitals across the country. 

Yes, the hospital community in which you spend eight, 10, 12 or more hours a day for days on end plays a big role in determining whether or not you are a shining star throughout your career or one that eventually burns out. 

Obviously you want to work in a healthy hospital environment. Here are six key characteristics of a healthy hospital community:

1) Effective communication

Communication is critically important. When it’s effectively executed at an organizational, everyone is aware of the hospital’s values, goals, and challenges. 

On the unit level, effective communication is every bit as important as clinical outcomes. In fact, effective communication can improve clinical outcomes. 

2) True collaboration

Collaboration–true collaboration in which relationships are treated as genuine partnerships–allows physicians to bond, grow professionally, and improve outcomes for patients. 

It ensures that no one feels as if they are an island, isolated from the rest of team, left to fend for her- or himself. 

3) Effective decision making

Is there anything worse for a physician than working in an environment where decisive decisions are the exception rather than the rule? 

No there is not. 

Effective decision making means that decisions are made collaboratively, with an understanding about how they will affect those at every level of the organization. They are clearly communicated. And they are carried out with consistency. 

4) Staffing

Any physician who has ever worked on an understaffed unit knows how important appropriate staffing is to the unit’s ability to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients without putting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of hospital staff in jeopardy. 

Inadequate staffing often leads to unnecessary stress, which can lead to physician burnout. 

5) Recognition

Everyone wants to be recognized for the contributions she or he makes to the organization. In fact, research has shown that being recognized for a job well done could be the difference between job satisfaction and becoming disgruntled. 

You may not want to publicly acknowledge the desire for recognition, and that’s perfectly fine. But internally, it’s important to be aware of the important role authentic recognition plays in keeping you satisfied at work–and then finding a hospital community that demonstrates its appreciation for its employees. 

6) Authentic leadership

The relationship between effective, authentic leadership and a healthcare system’s ability to provide safe and effective care has been well-documented. 

It also matters to you. 

Lack of leadership creates an environment that doesn’t value communication or true collaboration. You may find yourself waiting for important decisions to be made. You may discover that a lack of adequate staffing and a dearth of recognition have you on the verge of burning out. 

At that point, your compensation will no longer matter, clinical excellence won’t be achievable and patient outcomes will suffer–and so will your career.  

Sound like it might be time for a change? Consider working with us at Elliot Health Systems. We pride ourselves on our amazing community and we’re always hiring. 

Relocating isn’t something to be taken lightly.

It’s a complex process that requires a lot of heavy lifting, figuratively, and literally. 

Where will you live? What about your family? How will the move affect your finances? And then there’s the physical act of packing and actually making the move.

Where to begin … . 

Thankfully, many physicians have set off in search of greener pastures, and much has been learned from their experiences. Here’s a look at five things those physicians wish they’d known before taking their talents to new towns:

1) Reconnaissance is highly recommended

When it comes to location scouting, too much is never enough. Sure, a city might seem like the perfect relocation destination during your initial visit. After all, you’ve just been wooed by a healthcare system that seems to desperately want your services. 

And they’ve probably done a pretty good job of selling the city and all it has to offer. 

But what will you see when you start driving the streets, sipping coffee at the local cafes and sampling the cultural offerings–without the benefit of a tour guide? More importantly, what will your family see and feel? 

The more scouting trips you take, the more you’ll have a feel for the flavor of the new area, and the more you’ll be sure it’s a good fit.

2) Cost of living

Not all tax codes are created equal, and the taxes collected (or not collected) can have a major effect on your present and future quality of life. 

Before you accept a job offer that requires relocation, make sure to meet with your financial adviser so you have a clear understanding of the implications–good or otherwise. 

3) Quality of life

When it comes to relocating, the job is only one part of the equation. Quality of life matters as much and perhaps even more. 

After all, if you’re paying exorbitant taxes, living in a state that doesn’t value health care, worrying about high crime rates, or spending entirely too much time thinking about what’s wrong with the schools, government or infrastructure, you’re probably not going to be all that inspired at work. 

So take a long, hard look at the community’s quality of life before you accept the new position.  

4) The day-to-day grind

Some jobs look better on paper than they do in person. Hospitals always put their best feet forward when they’re recruiting. Your job is to figure out how much of what they’re saying is marketing and how much is reality. 

One of the best ways to figure out what the day-to-day grind will look like is to stop by the unit and see for yourself. Take a look at the pace, how people communicate and how patients are treated. 

Then ask for a list of references–current and former physicians–who can tell you about their experiences. 

The last thing you want to do is wind up with a job that leads to burnout. 

5) The intangibles 

Some things simply can’t be measured. They are your personal interests, the things for which you have the most passion. 

It could be access to world-class skiing in the winter, fishing in the spring and places to hike and bike in the summer and fall. Maybe it’s proximity to large cities, fine dining or theater. It could be opportunities to lead in the community. 

Make a list of the intangibles that matter most to you and then compare them with what is available in the community to which you’re considering relocating. 

Greener pastures are out there–and it’s up to you to find the one that’s the best fit. 

Ah, the age-old interview questions.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” “Tell me about a time when you failed to reach your goals and how you responded.” “What do you consider to be your strengths? What are your weaknesses?”

And these are only a few of the questions you should ask when you’re interviewing for a job. 

Truth is, many people view job interviews as one-way streets, opportunities for hospital hiring managers to evaluate physician candidates based on a list of pre-determined criteria. 

That’s true.

But it’s equally true that job interviews are opportunities for physicians to to evaluate prospective employers based on a list of predetermined criteria selected to ensure that the culture, commitment of colleagues and community align with career goals and professional values. 

Yes, the job interview is actually a two-way street, and whether or not you continue down the path to employment should, in part, depend on these three things every physician should look for during an interview:

1. Interpersonal interactions

Communication is critically important in a hospital. It affects everything from the efficacy of treatment plans to the efficiency of healthcare teams to patient and physician satisfaction. 

If you’re in an interview and notice issues with the interpersonal interactions of employees, beware!

Great hospitals are filled with employees who demonstrate compassion and respect with one another, their patients and the patients families. They have good energy. People interact with one another in friendly and supportive ways. They are authentic. 

If you find yourself uncomfortable with the way people communicate with one another during a job interview, it could be a symptom of a work culture that’s less than ideal.

2. Overall organization

There are certain things that simply cannot be compromised in a healthcare setting–and organization is one of them.

As a physician, you have a better chance of achieving the best possible outcomes for patients when you work in an environment that is organized. Meetings start on time. Meeting participants are all on the same page, working off the same agenda and understanding of the meeting’s purpose. 

If the interview starts late, it’s a bad sign (although there could be legitimate reasons for tardiness). If participants are not prepared, it’s a bad sign. If the interview process feels like a long walk in the dark woods, it’s a bad sign. 

High-achieving organizations are highly organized. You want to work for an organization that is highly organized. 

3. Balance

Physicians work hard to help their patients live better. But who is working to ensure physicians do the same? 

In a perfect world, it will be your employer. 

The battle for work-life balance has been raging in the healthcare industry for decades. Doctors simply work too much, put off caring for themselves, and often can’t escape their profession–even when they’re “off.” 

The best healthcare systems believe in work-life balance. They offer ample vacation days, generous continuing medical education allowances, tuition, and travel expenses related to attending CME programs and understand that physicians need time away in order to avoid burnout.  

Ask about all of these physician benefits during your interview, then watch closely to see how the interviewers respond. 

Do they bristle at the idea of self-care, or do they seem interested in your well-being? 

You know which response you want to see.  

Ready to interview? 

Job interviews are two-way streets. Make sure you are evaluating the interviewers and organization as much as they are you. It’s one way to make sure you take the right career path. 

Learn more about opportunities at Elliot Health System–an organization that values communication, organization and balance.

It seems like everyone wants to work with the Elliot Health System. 

It’s home to some of the top physician talent in New England, exceptional benefits, an environment that puts patients first and a work-life balance that is second to none. 

It’s also hiring. 

So if you’re looking for an opportunity to take your career to new heights, take a look at these four reasons why Elliot Health System is filled with top physician talent:

1) Excellence begets excellence

Great physicians attract great physicians, and Elliot Health System has no shortage of outstanding doctors.

Each year, New Hampshire Magazine publishes a list of the state’s top doctors, and each year Elliot Health System is well-represented–from immunology to  anesthesiology to cardiology to emergency care to family practice. 

As is often the case, these exceptional physicians work to surround themselves with colleagues who are every bit as talented and dedicated. They do this for patients, for the healthcare system and for themselves. 

Elliot Health System knows that it has some of the top physician talent in the country. It also knows that excellence begets excellence, and it rewards physicians who recruit their colleagues through a referral program that provides a $5,000 bonus to employed physicians when they refer a physician who joins the team. 

2) Compensation and appreciation

Money matters, but it’s not all that matters. The overall compensation package–including healthcare benefits, relocation reimbursement, vacation, deferred compensation and more–can be a true measurement of how much a healthcare system truly appreciates its physician talent. 

Elliot Health System offers a robust compensation package that goes well beyond the ordinary. 

In addition to the benefits listed above, physicians enjoy access to a wellness center and Taekwondo center, discounts on everything from cafeteria dining to cell phones to retail shopping to recreational activities, and on-site childcare. 

Money matters, and Elliot Health System certainly offers competitive compensation. But sometimes its the benefits that truly make physicians feel appreciated. 

3) The culture

Community hospitals are the backbone of the country’s healthcare system. They value accessibility, quality, collaboration and opportunities for physicians to take on new challenges and assume leadership roles. 

Elliot Health Systems is home to Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, that has proudly and effectively served the community for more than 125 years. 

It’s the largest hospital in Southern New Hampshire, and it is beloved by the people it serves. 

The Elliot, as it is known, has received enough awards to fill an entire wing, but more importantly, it has created a culture that makes sense for physicians. It’s physician led. It values true collaboration. And it puts an emphasis on work-life balance, which seems to be a rarity these days. 

4) New Hampshire!

If you haven’t been to New Hampshire yet, it’s time to book a trip. 

The state offers a quality of life that is second-to-none, four distinctly beautiful seasons and easy access to the sea, mountains, forests and access to big-city attractions. 

New Hampshire is consistently listed among the top places to practice, the 10 best states for health care access, the top places to raise a family and one of the safest places to live in the entire country. 

There is also no sales or income tax, which means physicians get to keep more of their hard-earned money. 

Ready to take your talents to Elliot?

If you are ready to join the country’s top physician talent, consider joining the other exceptional practitioners who are already part of the Elliot Health System team. 

Click below to browse our current open roles!

Sometimes it all comes down to fit. Other times it’s all about geography. And then there’s compensation, culture, community and career advancement opportunities to consider. 

Yes, figuring out which physician job offer to accept can be daunting and difficult. 

Many people focus on the financials, which is the most obvious consideration. But money isn’t everything–especially when you’re looking at launching or continuing a career that is likely to last decades. 

Here’s a look five of the most important factors to consider when determining whether a physician job offer is right for you:

1) Consider compensation

Money matters. But when considering the compensation attached to a physician job offer, it’s wise to look beyond the base pay. 

You’ll also want to look at the financial viability of the practice, income guarantees, incentives, the overall benefits package, buy-ins to insurance programs and opportunities for career advancement. 

Together, these elements add up to your total compensation. 

If it all seems like too much to digest on your own, consider having an independent medical consultant review the offer and advise as to whether it is a good opportunity. 

2) Consider cultural compatibility

Money matters, but it isn’t everything. Many physicians have accepted the highest-paying job offer only to discover that the culture of the practice doesn’t fit with their personality, career goals or day-to-day expectations. 

The best way to prevent this from happening is to identify what you value in a work culture, and then spend some time looking into the practice or healthcare system that made you the offer. 

Interview physicians who work there. Call physicians who have recently left. Look at media reports about the people and practice. Talk to community members about their feelings towards the organization. 

Doing your due diligence on the front end can help you make a smart decision that pays dividends for years to come. 

3) Consider governance and management 

For whom will you be working? Who oversees the work of the physicians? Are there opportunities for you to be part of the leadership team, either immediately or in the future? 

The answers to these questions will play a big role in your day-to-day work, career advancement opportunities and overall career arc. 

In addition, you should consider the communications practices that are employed by the organization. How often are staff meetings held? Will you have access to the president, physician leadership and others who make decisions? 

Ensuring that you have a voice is important. 

4) Consider the systems 

Working in a healthcare organization that is strategic about everything from creating a productive work environment to clearly defining job descriptions to ensuring quality and safety means that you are more likely to be successful. 

The best places to work provide you with the resources you need to succeed. They are where you have opportunities to learn and grow in a congenial, stimulating and well-organized system. 

5) Consider community

You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your colleagues, but you’ll also be spending a considerable amount of time in the community. 

Ask yourself whether the area offers ample opportunities to enjoy yourself out of the office. Take a close look at the schools. Consider nightlife, dining, arts and culture, and other activities. 

Work-life balance matters to your overall quality of life. After all, you can’t live at the hospital. 

Find a job that’s a good fit for you

If you are ready to work for a health system that values its employees, provides an excellent work environment in an area of the country that delivers a great quality of life, take a look at Elliot Health System today.  

As a physician, you belong to a well-respected, very important profession, one which allows you to be of service while performing work that is professionally challenging and personally fulfilling. And you may be happy right where you are.

On the other hand, you may long for a different scenario. Perhaps you no longer want to be part of a private practice or corporate practice and would like to work in different setting instead. If this sounds like you, the following discussion on how to make a successful physician career change to a community hospital may be of benefit to you.

First, let’s briefly examine what working in a community hospital entails. Simply put, a community hospital environment offers many benefits not readily available in other health care settings, primary among them being the sense of “community” itself. A physician career change to such a setting permits you an environment to provide health care built on relationships with coworkers and residents of the community in which you live, people who, like you, are seeking similar things in location, lifestyle and values.

If you are serious about making a physician career change to a community hospital, you will need to address the certain factors in order to make a successful change in your professional life including:

1. Is this really what you want?

Although this may seem obvious, that isn’t always the case. The most important question you need to ask yourself is simply this: Why do I want to leave my current situation? Are you unhappy with your job (pay, hours, working conditions)? Tired of the office/care facility in which you work? Does your displeasure stem from your coworkers? More to the point, are you truly unhappy or simply feeling some restlessness? If the former, is your dissatisfaction mild, moderate or extreme?

Understanding your motivation for looking into a physician career change is essential. Failing to carefully examine your reason(s) may set you up for significant disappointment if you subsequently discover that you weren’t really dissatisfied or the grass wasn’t greener on the other side after all.

2. Is your family on board?

Changing jobs can be very difficult, more so if relocation is involved. It can cause discomfort and tension within a family unit, especially if your significant other or children are not in full agreement. Leaving friends, a school, or relatives who live nearby can all be very stressful and make adjusting to a new situation all the more challenging.

3. Do your research.

As the old saying goes, “not everything that glitters is gold.” Look into what the community hospital is offering. Find out if the culture is suitable for you. What about the community in which you will be living? Will you be able to advance your career? Reach out to your professional network to gain as much information as you can about any situation you’re considering. If your contacts don’t have the information you seek, they may know someone who does.  

4. Find a career search firm that specializes in health care.

Making a successful physician career change to a community hospital can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you are feeling overwhelmed, a recruiting firm can help you find the placement that’s right for you. It’s what they do.  

5. Be you.

Once you’ve found a desirable opportunity, let them see who you really are. Trying to be someone else in order to fit in is unsustainable in a small hospital setting and will lead to disappointment all around. Remember, this is about making a physician career change, not changing as a physician.

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If you are ready to make the switch to a community hospital, take a look at what Elliot Health System has to offer.

Ask 15 doctors why they are happy practicing in New Hampshire and you’ll probably get 100 different answers. 

Yes, there are a lot of reasons doctors in New Hampshire are happier providers. Some have to do with compensation, some with the overall quality of life–all are real for the state’s nearly 4,000 providers. 

Here’s a look at the top 15 real reasons doctors in New Hampshire are happier:

1. Compensation. According to Medscape, physicians in New Hampshire enjoy high wages. 

2. Patients who have insurance. Only 5 percent of the people living in New Hampshire are uninsured, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 

3. Quality of life. The Granite State offers the highest quality of life in the country, according to data compiled by Stay Work Play New Hampshire. 

4. Community hospitals. They are large enough to provide interesting cases, small enough to allow you to actually get to know your patients. 

5. Income tax. Simply put: there isn’t an income tax in New Hampshire. 

6. Manchester! It’s big enough to offer plenty to do and claim the title of New Hampshire’s Business Capital, small enough so that it always feels like home–and only an hour drive from Boston. 

7. A commitment to public health. According to Health.com, New Hampshire residents are more active than most other people in the country, don’t have a lot of infectious diseases and enjoy a low infant mortality rate. In other words, they are committed to public health. 

8. The White Mountains. If you like to hike, ski or take in some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country, you’re going to love escaping to the White Mountains in the Norther part of the state. 

9. Dog sledding. Yes: dog sledding. 

10. A community that cares. When you join the ranks of the doctors in New Hampshire, you are joining the ranks of community that truly cares for one another. And you never know who you might be working with to make New Hampshire better for everyone. 

11. Public safety. New Hampshire is serious about its public safety. And according to U.S. News & World Report, it’s one of the three safest states in the entire country. 

12. Innovation. New Hampshire community hospitals have been recognized among the “most wired” in the country by Hospitals & Health Networks. 

13. Farmers markets. They are ubiquitous in New Hampshire, and farmers markets are the place to go for fresh fruits and vegetables, live music and incredibly delicious baked goods. 

14. Opportunity. When U.S. News & World Report set out to rank all 50 states, it considered everything from health care to education to crime to opportunity–and New Hampshire topped the list for opportunity (and ranked second overall, by the way). If you have a dream, New Hampshire is the place to try to make it come true. 

15. Quality health care. And speaking of U.S. News & World Report … the online publication also recognized New Hampshire for delivering high-quality health care (number four out of 50). You can be part of that greatness. 

Yes, there are a lot of reasons doctors in New Hampshire are happier–from the compensation to the quality of life to quality of the fresh fruits and vegetables you’ll find at the farmers markets. 

If you are looking for a career change, why not work where you are sure to be happy? Why not take your talents to New Hampshire?

There are few careers more respected and fulfilling than one in the medical field. Whether you are a family doctor, a specialist, a physician’s assistant, a nurse practitioner or any of the wide variety of other jobs available in health care, you possess a skill set that is sought after by many. But how do you identify the medical facilities, organizations or practices that you want to work for or that may be searching for you? What should you know if you are currently engaged in a provider job search?

The first issue to be addressed is why you are conducting this provider job search. Are you currently unemployed or underemployed? Are you unhappy in your current position or simply testing the waters for the purposes of comparing wage and benefits for your next performance evaluation discussion about a wage increase? Perhaps you’re interested in advancement and find that your present employment situation prevents you from doing so.

Your answer to the above has the potential to impact your job search in several ways, not the least of which is how open you can be about that search. The less you want your current employer to know you are seeking a change, the more discretion you will need to exercise. Unfortunate as it may be, you should think carefully before you share your plans with any of your coworkers. The less others know, the less chance of someone accidentally publicizing your decision before you are ready to announce it yourself.

Once you have determined the purpose of your provider job search, the following steps will enhance your effort:

1. Review and revise your CV.

As the saying goes, you do not get a second chance to make a first impression. Because your CV serves as that first impression during your provider job search, you must be absolutely certain that it is up-to-date, well-formatted and 100% error free. Have it reviewed by a medical professional you trust, preferably one involved in hiring.

2. Confirm your references and their contact information.

Ensure that those who have previously agreed to vouch you will continue to do so and that they are where you think they are. A resume with outdated references will be seen as a sign of a lazy or disorganized mind.

3. Network. Network. Network.

Even if you hate the thought of networking, connecting with those in your contacts list is essential. People in an individual’s personal and professional circles can become the source of leads, referrals and other information relevant to a provider job search.

4. Research your targets.

Once you have identified the direction in which you want to take your search, do some due diligence not only on prospective employers but also on their locale. Check with your network to see if anyone you know knows someone at the prospective employer. Conduct an online search of the employer, its place in the area of specialty, if any, and how it fits into the community in which it is located. As well, find out all you can about the organization’s key personnel including, if at all possible, the person tasked with hiring for the position you are seeking.

5. Don’t procrastinate.

Don’t put off updating your CV, solidifying your network, or doing whatever other legwork is necessary to carry out an effective provider job search. You won’t know whether what you did is too late until it is.

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Are you ready to apply for a new provider career? Consider Elliot Health System.

New Hampshire is 266 miles from New York City. You can catch a nonstop flight at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and arrive in the Granite State just about two hours later. Making it to Manchester, New Hampshire, from the West Coast (or Europe) will takes just about half a day in a jet. 

But regardless of where your journey begins, one thing is for sure: It’s worth taking a trip to New Hampshire if you’re considering physician relocation. 

There are a lot of states across the United States that are suffering from physician shortages. So they’re rolling out the red carpet, putting their best feet forward and working hard to recruit doctors. 

But when it comes to relocating for your medical career, no other area of the country can compete with New Hampshire. 

Here’s a look at why taking the time to explore New Hampshire is worth the trip–no matter how far you have to travel:

For your finances

Medscape, the venerable online news-gathering organization focused on delivering the most accurate information possible to physicians, publishes an annual list of the best places to practice. 

Last year, only one Northeastern state made the cut in terms of physician compensation: New Hampshire. 

Medscape pointed out that the average compensation for doctors in the Granite State was $322,000, second in the entire country (behind North Dakota). New Hampshire also has the second-lowest cost of living, the lowest physician density in New England, no income tax and no sales tax. 

Add it all up, and physician relocation to New Hampshire makes a lot of sense for your finances. 

For your family

Of course finances are only one factor when it comes to choosing a new place to practice. All the money in the world won’t do you any good if your family isn’t safe, well-educated and comfortable. 

That’s another reason why New Hampshire is worth the trip. 

Stay Work Play is an organization with an agenda. It wants to encourage people to “stay in, come to, or boomerang back to New Hampshire.”

And there’s a good reason to consider their sales pitch: The quality of life in New Hampshire is among the best in the entire country.  

According to Stay Work Play, the state consistently ranks in the top three when eight different national quality of life rankings are compiled and considered. 

The criteria include high school graduation rates, family well-being, tax climate, health, livability and per capita income. 

These are all things that make moving to New Hampshire well worth the trip. 

For every physician

New Hampshire’s motto is “live free or die,” and the people who live, work and play in the state take it quite seriously. 

The state does things a little differently than most others in the country–and that’s a good thing for physicians. 

There is an innovative spirit that is part of the rich and creative tapestry of a state that touches the sea, stretches to the Canadian border, is full of forests, thriving cities, manufacturing, Fortune 500 companies and some of the most forward-thinking healthcare professionals in the world. 

The way that New Hampshire embraces innovation is just one of the reasons relocating to New Hampshire makes sense. 

It’s a place where anything is possible for physicians. It’s a place where hospitals and healthcare systems embrace technology, connect with their communities and receive national recognition for the way they care for patients and do business.

Whether you’re in the East, Midwest, West overseas, take the time to take a look at New Hampshire. 

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Ready to apply for a physician career in New Hampshire? Consider Elliot Health System.