how to become a physician

How to Become a Physician Recruiter

Post a Job Today at Health eCareers

Physician recruiters play a vital role in the healthcare industry by hiring doctors for hospitals or private practices. The right recruiter serves as a human resource specialist, obtaining a vast network of connections, and they can offer better exposure to candidates applying for positions. Some recruiters work directly for staffing agencies or healthcare organizations, while others might work with hospital managers to generate strategic ways to attract new physicians while retaining current ones. Travel is sometimes involved.

Position responsibilities include writing job descriptions, screening applicants, conducting preliminary interviews, and acting as a liaison between the candidates and their potential employers. To be a recruiter, you'll need a clear understanding of how recruiting processes work. You'll also need to learn about various compensation packages, depending on how each healthcare system pays, and have an understanding of contracts and the legal side of hiring regulations.

[ Read: 10 Behavioral Questions Every Physician Recruiter Should Ask ]

Like with all jobs, there are some challenges. Attracting physicians takes time, especially when healthcare unemployment is low. You may seek active candidates by scanning digital resumes and job boards, or by socializing at networking events.

Autumn Radabaugh, a physician recruiter at Optum, says, "If you're looking for a certain specialty, sometimes there aren't many physicians that are in that field. It can be a needle in a haystack. Then once you find one, are they willing to relocate to where you are? That is always a tough situation too."

If you're interested in becoming a physician recruiter, here are some important steps to take.

Step 1: Bachelor's Degree

Since medical professionals are highly educated in their field, most recruitment firms will prefer their employees to have at least an undergraduate degree in order to interact comfortably. So, first, you must earn a bachelor's degree in human resources or business. Courses in employment law, occupational health and safety, and compensation policies are also beneficial. Business degree programs may allow you to specialize in business administration, economics, and communication.

[ Read: How to Recruit Residents and Fellows ]

You'll want to become at ease speaking with all types of people, both large and small groups, and of all ages and varying degrees of leadership. Physician recruiting is a client-facing business; it's all about being a "people person."

Step 2: Gain Experience

Since many employers favor hiring physician recruiters with at least one year of experience, even for entry-level work, internships help bridge the gap. Interning at a medical facility or under a current physician recruiter will help you to gain professional experience (and make valuable connections).

Radabaugh thinks interning is always a good approach. "Being able to see what happens in the day-to-day allows someone to understand if this is something they want to do," she says. "Recruitment is not for everyone."

She graduated with a healthcare administration degree. "I had worked in healthcare for six years before I graduated and started in physician recruitment. I started as a coordinator to learn the process and then as a recruiter two years later."

Step 3: Consider Certification

Opting for professional certification could lead to increased job opportunities. The National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) provides a higher level of recruiter certification, while the Society for Human Resource Management offers HR certification. Both require passing a certification exam.

Another program is through the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR), of which Radabaugh is a member. "I am currently taking those fellowship classes and feel that it's very beneficial," she says. "They teach things about marketing and job postings as well as VISA information for physicians who might require that."

The Life of a Physician Recruiter

Like most recruiters, physician recruiters are typically paid on a performance-based scale. You receive a base salary with additional incentives or commissions for each hire. This is standard practice regardless of whether you work directly for a hospital or healthcare provider, or as an independent contractor.

[ Read: 3 Pros and Cons of Applicant Tracking Systems ]

Some days may involve more office-related tasks such as sourcing and screening new candidates, and then arranging interviews for them with potential employers. Negotiating contracts for physicians is also crucial. Other days may entail giving tours of medical facilities and surrounding neighborhoods or taking physicians to lunch or dinner, depending on how busy their schedules are.

Patience is important, Radabaugh says, because "You will not get every doctor you interview." In fact, a new hire could take two weeks or even several months to complete.

"The most important part of my job is relationship building and networking," explains Radabaugh. "You could meet a physician today who is not looking for a position but because you talked to him/her and made an impression, they will reach out in two years." This situation actually happened to her.

While the position of physician recruiter may be centered around meeting new people and then maintaining those connections, there's so much more to it, explains Radabaugh, Having a great relationship and open communication is what takes a physician recruiter to the next level. A positive attitude, unbeatable enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic are also key.

She also emphasizes the importance of good communication. "This is with candidates as well as your hiring managers and leadership team," says Radabaugh.

She adds that she's always looking for new, out-of-the-box ways to recruit and thinks it's good to learn from other recruiters about what works for them. Attracting the right physician can happen many different ways; it doesn't need to be a simple, cut-and-dried process.

Post a Job Today at Health eCareers

Related Articles:

10 Behavioral Questions Every Physician Recruiter Should Ask
Market Like You Mean It: 10 Tips for Employer Success in the New Year
How to Recruit Residents and Fellows