Too many physicians want to change careers and try to jump to one of the last steps in the process: job acquisition. This may sometimes work, but the chances of success are much higher with a systematic approach. Our 5 steps, as described in “Do You Feel Like You Wasted All That Training,” are:
1. Introspection: First you have to dig down deep and assess the benefits and drawbacks of your current position, and then what characteristics you desire in your next.
2. Exploration: There is an endless list of non-clinical careers for physicians out there. You need to do your homework through websites and networking opportunities such as Physician Renaissance Network to research what is available and matches your interests and skills. This might be the right time to look into a career coach for help.
3. Preparation: Fill in your experience and skill set gaps as you continue your search, in order to make yourself as marketable as possible for your new career.
4. Acquisition: Okay, you’ve done your research and begun to prepare yourself for a new career. Now look to see which companies are hiring and what jobs are available for you. Get your CV ready and get ready for interviews.
5. Transition: In most cases, there’s a lot more to a physician career change than giving a couple weeks’ notice and moving on. What about transitioning patient care? What should you do with hospital priveleges, licensing, board certifications, and malpractice insurance?
Networking can be an important part of the process, whether you are looking for full time jobs, physician consulting opportunities, or entrepreneurial pursuits.
We hope to provide you with the resources needed to successfully assess and then navigate these 5 steps toward a new career.
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