Will you be launching a search for a new position in medicine? The media in the United Kingdom regularly reports the growing dissatisfaction of the medical profession with the working conditions in the National Health Service (NHS). The British Medical Association has reported that a third of doctors are considering leaving the UK prompted by perceptions of feeling undervalued and under paid and estimates that between 15,000 and 23,000 doctors left the NHS between September 2022 and September 2023.

Despite the negativity of the various media reports, feeling unsatisfied is not the sole reason to seek a new position. Perhaps you are a junior doctor who seeks specialist training not available at home or your family needs to relocate. Whatever your reason for launching a medical job search, this guide will provide you with 10 vital steps designed to ease the process.

1 Define Your Goals

Begin your medical job search by clearly defining your goals. Depending on where you are in your career, this step may require some research to understand your options. Once you have a clear idea of what you want, document the scope of practice you will pursue, your preferred work setting and target locations.

A well-defined career objective will guide your search and help you focus on opportunities that align with your aspirations. That said, keep an open mind and be willing to make adjustments if necessary. 

2 Research Potential Employers

Identify organisations, hospitals and clinics which are of potential interest to you and research accordingly. Use their websites, social channels, physician reviews and ratings and recruiter expertise to glean information about their reputations, work cultures, staff turnover and patient demographics. Take note of any areas you would d like to explore further if given the opportunity.

3 Research Locations

If you are considering a relocation, it is vital to research the regions, countries, cities or towns which are of interest to you. If you are moving into a different jurisdiction, you will, in all likelihood, need to register with and obtain a practising licence from a local professional regulatory authority which will have its own specific requirements. It is essential to ensure that you can meet these requirements before applying for jobs.

Requirements for visas and work permits vary as does the processing time and this will need to be estimated and factored into your goals and plans.

4 Manage Remuneration Expectations

Conduct some research into remuneration for doctors in your specialty and market. Public sector healthcare systems usually have published salary scales which are easily accessed and salaries are often determined by length of experience. Some healthcare organisations offer incentives and bonuses for signing on, service retention, additional duties, study leave and other items of service.

Develop a clear understanding of the range of remuneration packages you can secure withing your target location and how much you can expect to earn, not just in year one but year two, three, and beyond.

5 Leverage Networks

There is truth to the saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know.” The old adage still resonates because it is often past colleagues or mentors who can lead you to your next opportunity, and not always in the way you might expect. Recruiters often reach out to doctors with new opportunities only to have them say it’s not for them, but they know someone who might be a fit. Referrals are often the best way to find jobs.

Contact individuals in your network and let them know you are seeking a new medical job. Attend conferences, seminars, and other events to expand your professional network and reconnect with existing peers.

6 Visit Medical Job Boards and Set Up Job Alerts

Explore medical job boards and other websites dedicated to medical recruitment and networking. The Odyssey Recruitment job board is an excellent place to start. You can run searches and set up personalised job alerts. Additional options include specialty-focused job sites, professional association job boards, and networking sites such as LinkedIn and Doximity. Use advanced search filters to view the most relevant jobs, then set up job alerts to notify you when new jobs that match your search criteria are posted.

Candidates should be aware that job scams operate in parts of the world including the Middle East Gulf States where scams are prolific and innovative. Contact from recruiters and job boards operating in these countries should be approached with caution. Our guides into job scams in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and an example of a job scam in Abu Dhabi provide guidance on the evaluation of such job offers.

7 Engage a Medical Recruiter

Contact a medical recruitment agency and discuss your job search. Professional recruiters can help you understand the recruitment process for doctors in each jurisdiction and help you manage your expectations. A good medical recruiter will take the time to get to know you and ask about your goals and priorities. With that in mind, they can advise on which opportunities suit you best.

Medical recruiters know their markets well and can often share insight into working at the various groups and healthcare systems in their regions. An experienced medical recruiter can be an invaluable resource.

8 Draft Job Search Documents

The three essential categories of documents for a job search are a Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter and professional references.

Draft an impressive CV to showcase your professional qualifications, training, skills, achievements and experience. Include details of your education, certifications, professional licensure and academic work. Create a template which can be modified for each job application, as appropriate.

Prepare a cover letter template which can be readily edited and adapted for each job application. You should also reach out to anyone you plan to use as a reference and ask if you may share his or her contact details with potential employers. Confirm you have their best number and email address, and prepare a list to be ready when needed. Organising these job search documents in advance will ease the application process.

9 Medical Job Interview Preparation

Find out the common and typical interview questions which you are likely to be asked by the interview panel and rehearse your answers. You should highlight your skills and experience, your ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and provide high-quality patient care. Prepare a list of questions for the interview panel covering topics such as staff turnover, onboarding of doctors and support, career development, and any other areas which are important to you.

Establish the method of interview; on line, by telephone or in person. If the interview is to be conducted on zoom, teams, google meet or other propriety interview software, ensure that your technology is in good order. Read our guide to video interviews.

10 Persistence and Adaptability

Whilst it is important to understand your goals and pursue them keenly, it is equally important to remain flexible and adapt your job search if it is stalling and your desired objectives remain elusive. A good medical recruiter will advise you if it is appropriate to modify the parameters of your medical job search parameters and consider other options. Trust your recruiter and keep an open mind as you evaluate opportunities.

Conclusions

Doctors are in high demand in healthcare systems across the world, but this does not mean the medical job search is inevitably easy. Finding a medical job which matches or exceeds your goals may take considerable time, so patience and persistence are essential.

Follow these 10 medical job search tips, and do not hesitate to seek guidance from mentors, career advisors, and a trusted physician recruiter. Whether you are launching your first medical job search,  simply seeking a new opportunity, or looking to wind down your career, the team at Odyssey Recruitment is eager to find out what you are looking for and help you identify opportunities that will be the best fit. Contact us today or search for medical jobs online now.