When a solo practitioner decided to bring on a second physician, he relied on the guidance and expertise of Senior Search Consultant Camille Carter to identify the perfect counterpart.
For a solo practitioner, deciding to bring on a second physician can be difficult for several reasons. Will there be enough patient demand? How will the presence of a new physician impact the existing routines? Will the new physician expect to become a partner? These were all concerns of Dr. J, an internal medicine physician and former hospitalist with a successful concierge medicine practice in the Pacific Northwest. After several months of turning new patients away, Dr. J knew it was time, but he didn’t know how to find and hire the right physician. He started by posting the job to a physician job board, but after months of minimal activity, he was frustrated — and the lost opportunities were mounting.
Eli Jiles, Director of Business Development at Jackson Physician Search, noticed the stagnant job posting and called Dr. J to find out if he could help. Dr. J was open to a conversation but was wary of the process. Eli was transparent about the cost and explained the steps involved and the level of service he could expect. Eli also laid the groundwork for some changes that might be needed to make the job posting more attractive.
An Internal Medicine Physician With an Entrepreneurial Spirit
Senior Search Consultant Camille Carter officially opened the search and continued to work with Dr. J to help him understand the process and set expectations. The opportunity itself had its pros and cons. While Dr. J had established an effective business model, the new physician would need to build up his patient base and work independently. They were looking for an experienced physician with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Camille crafted an attractive job posting focusing on the autonomy and income potential of the role and leveraged Jackson Physician Search’s vast physician job board network to distribute it. She also posted to Doximity, the largest online professional networking site for physicians, where Dr. I saw it. Though she didn’t name the town in her posting, he could tell exactly where the job was from her description, as he knew the city well. He and his wife worked on the East Coast but were looking to move back to that part of Oregon.
A Chance Encounter Leads to a Perfect Pairing
As Camille shared more about the practice and Dr. J, something began to feel familiar to Dr. I. He asked her to send him the website of the practice, and sure enough, when he saw Dr. J’s photo, he remembered meeting him years ago while he was still in residency on the West Coast. They met while skiing at a resort in Oregon and spoke casually about their internal medicine careers.
Camille couldn’t believe the coincidence, but more than that, Dr. I seemed to check every box on Dr. J’s list. He had enough experience to work independently and was excited by the prospect of building out the practice. He also had family in the area, and he and his wife could relocate relatively quickly because he was currently working as a locum.
Dr. J remembered meeting the group of residents while skiing and was eager to talk to Dr. I. After several phone calls and virtual interviews, Dr. I indicated it was the right opportunity for him. Camille counseled Dr. J to act quickly, as she knew other organizations were pursuing Dr. I. When Dr. J felt ready to move forward, he extended a verbal offer. As soon as the contract was ready, Dr. I was eager to sign.
Secrets of Physician Recruitment Success
Because Dr. J had never been through the physician recruitment process, Camille’s patience and guidance were essential to the success of the search. She communicated with him regularly, talking him through each step and keeping him updated on any developments. Her market knowledge was also critical in creating a job posting that would attract attention. Then, her license to use Doximity allowed her to reach physicians nationwide.
The job immediately appealed to Dr. I, but more was needed to secure the hire. Camille’s continued involvement was the key to keeping the process moving and the lines of communication open between the two physicians. At times, Dr. J needed a push, and Camille knew precisely when to nudge and when to pull back. Her expert guidance throughout the process ended with a successful pairing and a bright future for the growing practice.
Whatever the size of your practice, if you are seeking a physician, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search has the access and expertise to accelerate your search. Reach out today to learn more.
