Psychiatric Job Search Considerations
Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first nurse practitioner or psychiatrist position, or a seasoned clinician browsing psychiatry job openings, the job search can feel overwhelming. After earning your medical degree, finishing your residency, and maybe even completing additional training, you deserve a job you love. That’s why the PsychStaffing team is here to help you think through considerations on your job search. For over 30 years, we have matched quality psychiatrists and nurse practitioners with quality work environments. Let’s get started!
Evaluate Practice Setting
Begin by thoughtfully evaluating the practice setting that interests you most. What patient demographic are you passionate about? What practice environment do you prefer? These considerations will help guide you in your job search.
Patient Population
What patient demographic do you enjoy working with? Whether it’s children, the elderly, or veterans, the population of a potential practice may determine your ultimate interest in the job. If you trained in a subspecialty such as geriatric psychiatry or addiction medicine, you already know your ideal patient population. If you aren’t already trained, take time to consider your passions and interests before applying for psychiatry job postings.
Practice Environment
Another consideration when searching for psychiatry job opportunities is the type of environment you’d like to work in. Think about the clinical community and the colleagues you will work with, as well as the level of collaboration you’d like to have with other specialties. Additionally, assess the type of practice you’re interested in working at long-term. There are many differences between psychiatry jobs at a single-specialty group practice, hospital or clinic, and an academic institution.
Assess Work-Life Balance
Finding a job with an appropriate work-life balance is essential to preventing burnout. Keep an eye out for practices that offer remote options and flexible hours. Telepsychiatry jobs are also a great option for those seeking flexibility. Work-life balance is ultimately determined by the overall culture of a practice, which starts from the top. Assess the leadership, style, and culture among colleagues to determine if a job is the right fit for your personal life.
Evaluate Compensation and Benefits
Of course, you need to think about the compensation and additional benefits you need in a potential job. Outside of a competitive salary, paid time off, health insurance, and retirement funds are important financial considerations to keep in mind. You should also find out if the job opportunity is for an employee (W-2) or a contractor (1099) –– both have major differences in compensation and employment structure.
Consider Practice Reputation
What do you know about the practice you are interested in? Does anyone in your professional network have experiences with their clinicians or administrators? Look at the job opportunities from all sides, considering if you’d want your professional career to be associated with the practice’s reputation.
Preparing for the Job Search
Preparing to search for a new psychiatry position may seem daunting, but the experts at PsychStaffing suggest starting with the basics. By listing out your priorities at the beginning of your job search, you will know which jobs to adjust your resume for and which ones to move past. Additionally, keep building your network and keep an eye on the market through job boards. Find more details on this process below!
Identify Your Priorities
Make a list of your top 3 priorities in a job. Is your number one priority compensation, work-life balance, following your passion, or maybe working in a certain location? What comes second and third? You might have to compromise on some factors to keep your priorities in line. Only you know what is best for you, both professionally and in your personal life, so take these priorities seriously when looking at psychiatry job postings.
Update CV or Resume
When searching for psychiatry jobs, begin by ensuring your resume and cover letter are up to date. Add your most recent experiences, certifications and licensures, publications, and skills. Many applicants customize their resume for each position, showing passion and interest in a job.
In your cover letter, share your professional objective and why you’re interested in their position. Clearly, and briefly summarize your resume, focusing on sharing additional information about who you are as a person and why you’re the right fit for the job.
Build Professional Network
Take every opportunity to connect with other professionals in your field. You can do this through networking events, online platforms such as LinkedIn, or scheduling meetings just to learn about a practice. Look at every connection as a chance to prove yourself both professionally and interpersonally. You never know who may refer you to psychiatry job opportunities or who might provide a solid reference for you in the future.
Research Industry-Specific Job Boards
Finally, don’t forget to spend time on psychiatric job boards to learn what the current job market is like. You can even dig deeper to find more detailed information on the jobs available in the specific field that interests you. Start to get an understanding of what jobs are available and if you might need to compromise or rethink your priorities. This will help you stay grounded and realistic while on the job search.
Find Your Next Position with PsychStaffing
Searching for psychiatry job opportunities can feel overwhelming, but PsychStaffing can make it more manageable. Our team has been matching psychiatrists and nurse practitioners with quality work environments for over 30 years. View our psychiatry job openings or Contact PsychStaffing today to begin your job search!