Reports show that there’s a high demand for qualified surgeons right now, and the need is expected to grow in the years to come. In fact, there are more than 45,000 job openings for general surgeons alone at present, and that figure is projected to increase by 7 percent annually over the next few years.
There simply aren’t enough available surgeons to meet the surging demand. That means finding qualified candidates and choosing the right one to hire could be increasingly difficult moving forward. For medical facilities with job openings for surgeons, it’s important to keep certain key points in mind.
Understand Your Needs
One of the most important measures to take when hiring a surgeon is to understand your distinct needs. No doubt, you already know what type of surgeon you need, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Think about whether you need a full-time or part-time surgeon.
Though part-time surgical positions are rare, they’re the best option for some medical facilities, and some surgeons are specifically seeking part-time work. Additionally, you’ll need to decide whether to hire a contractor, a locum tenens provider, or a permanent team member who’s directly employed with your facility.
Attracting the Right Candidates
Once you’ve pinpointed your hiring needs, you’ll need to attract prospects. That entails posting your job through the right channels. Those could include your facility’s job board, medical staffing agencies, and other sites where prospects are likely to see it. Of course, spreading the word to prospects and attracting the right candidates aren’t quite the same.
To attract truly qualified candidates and save yourself a great deal of time and effort, it’s important to post an accurate, detailed job description. Be sure to emphasize the benefits of the job as well, such as flexible scheduling, a competitive salary, ample vacation time, or a cost of living allowance.
Credentialing and Background Checks
From there, you’ll need to ensure prospects have the right credentials to meet your needs and perform background checks. Obviously, a medical degree and board certification are essential. Ensuring candidates’ licenses are up to date and in compliance with your state’s requirements is also crucial. You’ll need to look into candidates’ experience, job history, possible complaints, and other points to ensure they meet all your facility’s prerequisites.
Beyond those aspects, it’s important to be sure candidates’ personalities and expectations meld with your needs. Covering all those bases will ensure you find the right fit for not only your job opening but your facility as a whole. It’ll also reduce the likelihood of a high turnover rate and all the problems that can come along with it.
Interviews
After narrowing down your prospects to the most qualified candidates, you’ll need to conduct interviews. Speaking with candidates will help you learn more about them and enable you to better determine whether they’re right for the job.
Be sure to ask questions about why they’re interested in your job opening, why they left their previous job, what unique skills and experience they may have, and other crucial points. Consider creating a list of important points to cover during your interviews beforehand to ensure nothing gets left out.
Finding the Right Surgeon for Your Job Opening
Finding the right surgeon to meet your facility’s needs may not be easy. Numerous candidates are likely to show interest in the job, but not all of them are a good fit for the position or your medical facility.
Keeping the points listed here in mind will help make the process more straightforward, and working with a staffing agency that specializes in the medical field can further facilitate your efforts.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Choosing a surgeon is a personal decision that should be based on individual needs and circumstances. Always consult healthcare professionals and conduct thorough research to ensure the best choice for your medical care.
