08 Feb 8 Tips to Get Ready for a Successful Post-Residency
It’s been a long road, but you’re about to enter the world of medicine as a practicing physician.
For most residents, it’s a time for excitement – and also uncertainty.
The best time to start planning for your future medical career is now. This blog outlines 8 important steps to take that can make your transition post residency as seamless as possible.
1. Complete Your Boards
Board certifications are specific to your specialty, and each has it’s own requirements to pass.
According to the American Board of Medical Specialties, a board certification is necessary as it demonstrates, “exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice.”
Make sure to ask about your boards during the interview process as some practices will offer to pay for your board certification.
2. Have License Prepared for Any State With The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
If you’re a physician who wants to work in more than one state as a locum tenens, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is a great resource. The Compact eases the licensing process and rids the need to have multiple applications for different state medical boards.
If you meet the Compact’s eligibility requirements (receive a Letter of Qualification from a State of Principal License (SPL) or be issued a Letter of Qualification), you can qualify to practice medicine across state lines within the Compact.
You can apply through the Compact for licensure in multiple states, and will receive separate licenses from each state that you will practice in. The Compact includes 37 states, the District of Columbia and the Territory of Guam.
Licenses are still issued by the individual states as with the normal licensing process, but the process is significantly streamlined.
3. Review Your CV
Having a detailed CV will help you find a new position in a hospital setting or academic institution. It can indicate to hiring teams that a candidate has the required credentials and experience to succeed in this type of role. There are requirements to creating your CV that will help ensure your background and skills get noticed.
4. Get Serious About Networking
Staying in touch with your former fellow medical students, residents, attendings, program director, etc. can pay dividends in the future. Seek out and attend networking events which will help to have contact with people in your industry.
5. Prepare for Your Financial Future
For residents it can be easy to get caught up in the sudden increase of disposable income with increased spending – which can lead to you stopping saving money for the future.
As a practicing physician you’ll need to set aside part of your income for insurance, retirement savings, a home, a car, an emergency fund for you and your family, etc. That’s why it’s never too early to start thinking about your financial future. A financial advisor can help you formulate a plan.
6. Address Your Student Loans
The end of residency is a great time to review your student loans and set specific short-term and long-term goals. There are a variety of payment plans to consider, whether you want to pay off your loans relatively quickly or spread payments out over time. You may also be a candidate for public service loan forgiveness and if so, start the process.
7. Career Path
You could take your board certification exams and become an attending physician. You may be interested in applying for a medical fellowship. You could even pursue a career as a locums tenens or look for a medical job opportunities abroad. It’s wise to discuss career paths with a resident career counselor – as well as a reputable medical recruiter.
8. Find A Good Recruiter
Leveraging a professional staffing firm prior to the end of your residency can help eliminate a lot of emotional stress. Experienced medical staffing companies are in the trenches on a daily basis with job candidates and employers. Recruiters have an excellent understanding of the current marketplace, will help you decide on a career path, and can give honest feedback about your background and where the opportunities lie.
Reach Out to Our Experts Today
At Annashae, we’re dedicated to the placement of highly-skilled clinical practitioners in short and long-term positions. As a nationwide medical staffing and consulting firm, we provide a range of services that enable our candidates to quickly find the career opportunity that fits their needs. For information on how you can further your clinical career, contact us today.