Advance Your Career in Primary Care: Top Job Listings for Doctors

The healthcare industry desperately needs skilled physicians. As Americans age, they require more medical services, leading to the need for seasoned professionals and new doctors. Every healthcare organization struggles to meet the increasing demand, and physicians command higher salaries because their services are vital.

When a person looks at job listings for doctors, they see how prevalent this issue is. In the past, hospital systems and private practices would recruit physicians. Today, urgent care centers, telemedicine groups, and insurance companies are among the many entities looking to hire doctors, and all pull from the same group of candidates. Competition is high in recruitment today, and entities are changing the compensation models and offering more incentives to attract top talent. What is the current state of the physician job market, and why is this important? 

Primary Care

Every person needs a primary care doctor, but they remain in short supply. Family medicine physicians remain in short supply, and only a few medical school students choose this specialty. Healthcare organizations must compete for these individuals and add benefits and perks to attract the best talent. The problem is so widespread that some organizations have given up on filling these positions. They can’t find people willing to take on primary care roles, so they abandon the search, and patients are the ones who suffer. Doctors can be particular about where they work, so employers must ensure they offer flexible scheduling and other benefits candidates are searching for. 

Nurse Practitioners

Primary care physicians might worry their jobs will be impacted by the rise in nurse practitioners and advanced practice providers. They have nothing to be concerned about because there is a significant need for primary care providers, which isn’t changing. Urgent care and retail centers are increasing, and many advanced practice providers work there. Nurse practitioners also frequently work in underserved areas because primary care physicians prefer urban and suburban locations. These advanced practice providers take on jobs that primary care physicians often overlook. 

Finding Jobs

At one time, primary care physicians had two job options: working in a private practice or a hospital-owned practice. Today, they have several other options. Retail health centers, urgent care facilities, telehealth providers, and practices owned by private equity firms are always searching for new talent. Since all these organizations draw from the same pool, a healthcare organization must distinguish itself through its benefits, perks, and compensation. 

Hospitals continue to hire the most physicians, but private equity practices appear to be gaining ground. The one drawback is that they are also the quickest way to fire people. Job security should be considered when a primary care physician chooses where to work. 

Salaries and Incentives

Healthcare organizations understand the law of supply and demand. When demand is high and supply is low, prices go up. Organizations must pay more to attract top talent and find other incentives to attract people. Today, many guarantee a starting salary at or above the Medical Group Management Association median. Physicians won’t need to negotiate in many cases. They will also receive incentive packages. 

Organizations frequently offer sign-on bonuses and relocation packages. They may also agree to repay all or part of a physician’s student loans. These recruitment packages can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Perks might include rent payments until permanent housing is found, additional paid time off, and flexible scheduling. One of the most common perks is a continuing medical education allowance.

Bringing in top talent is only half of the equation. The organization must also retain this talent. Longevity bonuses and incentives are becoming more common. Healthcare organizations will compete to get and retain top talent, so physicians must remember this when searching job listings to find the best position for their needs.