Dr. P’s journey to a fulfilling medical career had been a long and winding road. She began her career post-residency as a primary care physician at a practice where the amount of time and energy she spent on administration prevented her from providing the kind of patient-centered, preventive care she was passionate about. After this, she questioned whether she could ever work in a traditional medical practice. Instead, she took a nontraditional route, choosing to work as a locum tenens physician for 25 years. Now, as a mid- to late-career physician, she had experience with a wide variety of patient populations and realized her top priority was caring for underserved communities that needed her the most. While Dr. P was not necessarily looking for a new role, she was active on Doximity, the largest community of healthcare professionals in the country, and open to a new adventure.
Meanwhile, Research Consultant Bennett Dorion was assisting an Idaho-based post-acute care health system in recruiting a geriatric-focused family medicine physician it could count on to build lasting relationships in the communities it serves. While the organization was actively seeking a candidate to join its Coeur d’Alene location, Bennett recognized that it also needed family medicine physicians for its western Idaho location in a town of under 35,000 to establish a strong presence there.
Facilitating Connections Through Doximity
When Bennett found Dr. P’s profile on Doximity, he knew she was a strong match for the organization. Doximity’s filters allowed him to fine-tune his search for a physician with a background in family medicine, geriatrics, and rural health who was licensed in the area. He was able to quickly zero in on the best matches from the many promising profiles returned. With the help of the details included in Dr. P’s profile, he crafted a personalized email to her about the opportunity in Coeur d’Alene, to which she responded immediately.
In the initial phone call, Dr. P discussed her desire to work in rural communities. She openly shared that she chose to work as a locums physician primarily because she found it was the best way for her to provide the kind of patient-centered care she was dedicated to delivering. Bennett soon realized that Dr. P would be an even stronger fit for the rural Idaho location. When he proposed the idea to Dr. P, it was an instant hit. Despite her locum-heavy career history, he was confident that this permanent position would fulfill her core passion for mission-driven rural healthcare. Bennett decided to trust his gut and present Dr. P to his client, knowing it would take some convincing.
The Obstacles to Overcome
“When I first presented Dr. P to my client, it was a hard no,” recalls Bennett. He knew that her nomadic resume on paper did not reflect the client’s expectations of a candidate they could trust to join long-term. However, after speaking with Dr. P and witnessing her enthusiasm about patient care, rural health, and her desire to make a greater impact, he was confident that the client would be interested in meeting her. “I urged the head of operations to at least have an informal conversation with Dr. P,” Bennett explained. “Right off the bat, the client absolutely loved her and invited her out for an on-site visit.”
When Dr. P pulled up to the facility in her RV, she was skeptical. Working as a locum physician allowed her the freedom to choose where and with whom she worked. It also gave her the ability to serve patients in rural communities across Washington State, where her adult children resided. She had been only passively looking for a permanent job and had grown accustomed to living and working independently. While the position sounded incredible, joining a healthcare facility wasn’t exactly on her career roadmap. Still, she gave the on-site visit a fair shot.
From Roadblock to Unexpected Detour
The visit got off to a positive start, as the head of operations welcomed Dr. P with a tour of the facility. She provided a candid background about the practice’s team, the joys and challenges of the work, and their workplace culture. Dr. P instantly hit it off with her thanks to her warm yet direct communication style. This made a positive impression on Dr. P, who strongly valued honesty and kindness. It was immediately evident that this team was intentional about creating an environment where the staff enjoyed coming to the office and working together on a long-term basis. This was essential for Dr. P. She was only interested in being part of a practice where she had a voice and worked alongside people who genuinely cared for her.
Everyone at the office, which was thoughtfully managed by two physicians, was welcoming and committed to providing the highest level of personalized patient care. As each conversation revealed more details about the rural opportunity, Dr. P knew she had found the place she belonged. She would provide primary care to geriatric patients across several facilities in the region, giving her the change of scenery she had grown accustomed to. Although she would have to relocate, she had family ties in Spokane, about 30 minutes away from the practice location. When the visit ended with Dr. P breaking out in a celebratory dance in the parking lot, Bennett knew the deal was sealed before he sent the offer a few days later.
Mapping a Successful Placement for a Nontraditional Candidate
Stories like Dr. P’s remind us that the best career matches often happen when dedicated recruiters look beyond the resume to understand what drives a physician’s passion for medicine. This philosophy guides Jackson Physician Search’s approach to connecting candidates with practices where they can truly thrive. Additionally, Dr. P’s journey exemplifies what is possible when physicians, whether in an active or passive job search, keep an open mind about opportunities that have the potential to be a great fit.
Lastly, this successful search represents how a dedicated recruiter serves as a true liaison between physicians and healthcare organizations. Thanks to the trust and rapport Bennett had built with the healthcare organization, its team was willing to follow his recommendation, despite initial reservations. The rest, they say, is history. The entire facility was impressed by Dr. P’s experience and loved her effervescent, free-spirited personality. After many years and thousands of miles in pursuit of her passion for primary care, Dr. P’s search was over. She was ready to sell her RV and call Idaho home.
The recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals. Contact us today or begin your search for physician jobs online now.