So, you’ve decided that a career as a physician assistant is the right choice for you. You’ve gone to school, you’ve gotten the degree, you’ve done the training, and now it’s time to start your job search.
You want someplace that suits your lifestyle; a positive, healthy workplace environment, you want to work for a company that prioritizes longevity and growth. You got into this field to help people, so you want to work with a facility that puts its patient’s interests first. You’re looking for more than just a job, you’re in search of a career, somewhere you can place your roots.
You’re searching, but you’re not sure where to start.
Knowing the best places to conduct a job search can be confusing. There are several options out there, but not all of them have the same benefits or produce the same results. Here are a few good options to get you started.
General Job Search Engines
Doing a quick internet search may be the best way to find a position that’s right for you. If you’re open to a wide array of facilities or you’re interested in relocating, this is the best way to start your search.
This includes sites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor. Each of these platforms has a variety of listings from different employers in different parts of the country. You can use these websites to set up alerts for new postings that match your search criteria.
One benefit of using a general job site is the ability to see a large number of postings in one place. This makes it easy to compare and contrast different positions side-by-side.
Healthcare-Specific Job Boards
There are also job boards that focus specifically on the healthcare industry. These can be a great option if you’re looking for something specific or you want to narrow your search down to only facilities in your area.
A few examples of these kinds of sites are Health eCareers, HospitalCareers, and MEDZONA.
Specialty PA Job Boards
If you’re in search of a particular skill set or job description, specialty PA job boards are the best place for browsing available listings. These boards list jobs that are only open to PAs, which can be helpful if you have a certain set of qualifications that you’re looking for in your next position.
Facility-Specific Job Boards
Many facilities also maintain their own websites with lists of available positions. This can be a great way to find specific job openings at a particular hospital or clinic. It can also be helpful if you know of a certain facility that you’d like to work for and you want to see what positions are available there.
Some places you might want to with are Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and NYU Langone Health.
LinkedIn is another great resource for finding jobs. You can search for specific keywords, locations, or companies. You can also connect with other professionals in the field who may have information about open positions or networking opportunities.
Recruiter Websites
There are also websites that act as a middleman between job seekers and potential employers. These websites can be a great resource if you’re having trouble finding open positions or if you want to be able to apply for multiple jobs at once.
Recruiters can also make the job search easier because they do most of the work for you. They’re in charge of finding open positions, conducting interviews, and negotiating salaries.
A few examples of these kinds of websites are American Medical Group Association, CompHealth, and Weatherby Healthcare.
Job Faires
Another option is to attend job fairs. This can be a great way to meet potential employers and learn about open positions in your area.
Some job faires are open-call while others are invitation-only. Do your research beforehand. Look into which facilities will be present and what kind of position they’re offering. You don’t want to waste your time attending an event that doesn’t have the type of positions, job descriptions, or salaries that you’re looking for.
Network
Talk to your friends and family, attend professional meetings, or search for networking events in your area. The more people you talk to, the more likely it is that you’ll hear about a position that’s perfect for you.
With most of these options, you will need to submit an official resume to the board or company website for consideration. Make sure your resume includes all of your relevant experience, education, and certifications. You may also want to consider having a professional resume writer help you create a document that stands out from the rest.
Be diligent, and patient, the right position will come along. Before you know it, you’ll be embarking on a new adventure in your career as a physician assistant!
