Family Practice Recruiting

Clinics and hospitals use physician recruiters to find more family practice doctors today than ever before. While the recruiters are busy talking to hospitals and clinics to add new clients, they are also busy contacting doctors interested in new family practice jobs or taking on locum tenens positions. The goal of the recruiter is to find a perfect match for the clinic with someone in their database to get the doctor working at the clinic as soon as possible.

Tips for Working with Family Practice Recruiters and Headhunters

First, remember who pays the bills for the family practice recruiters and headhunters: the clinic or hospital. Most of the time, a recruiter's loyalty will go to the one paying the bills first and then to the doctor filling the position. Doctors need to take special care in making sure their end of the process meets their expectations.

Always read through all of the details of every contract received from family practice recruiters. The contract must cover receipt of payment, travel expenses, acceptable lodging, provision for medical malpractice liability insurance and sick leave in case the physician gets sick during the contract. Also, look for the process set up to address possible conflicts. Perhaps the most important aspect of any contract with a family practice recruiter is an "out clause" allowing the physician to leave the position in case of an abusive situation.

The physician has the right to make amendments to the contract during the negotiation phases of the contracting process, as the family practice recruiter and the clinic agree with the changes. Finally, find a good recruiting firm to work with on a regular basis, like Onyx M.D..