monitor Archives - NonClinical Physicians

Nonclinical Careers That Will Save Discouraged Doctors – 095

John Jurica — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 12:30:02 +0000

Explore One of Six Wonderful Vocations

In this week’s episode, John is alone behind the microphone to take a deep dive into nonclinical careers for discouraged doctors. This episode explores some of the best career options for doctors that are not board certified. However, they are also an option for more experienced board-certified clinicians.

Before getting into the specifics of the careers, John highlighted some of the key general tactics that should be used by every physician seeking a career pivot:

Create a complete LinkedIn profile;
Network with classmates, colleagues, contacts, etc.;
Join professional organizations in the chosen field;
Join LinkedIn groups in the space you're exploring;
Find a mentor to help guide you.

6 Nonclinical Careers to Save Discouraged Doctors

Medical Writer

For physicians who are looking for flexibility and a career they can do from home, medical writer may be the answer. With a vast range of options, from blog articles to technical writing, discouraged doctors are sure to find something that fits their needs.

Travel requirements are minimal. But this job requires self-discipline. And interactions with others are uncommon unless you're writing based on interviews. So, this may not be the career for the gregarious extrovert.

For physicians that are looking for plenty of flexibility and a career that they can do from home, medical writer may be the answer.
John Jurica

A great way to get started as a medical writer is to submit unpaid articles to online publications while working at your current job. You can test the waters and build up a portfolio at the same time. If you're interested in pursuing medical writing, check out the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and take a listen to episodes 22, 56, 63, and 75.

Clinical Documentation Improvement

Medicare regulations have caused an explosion of companies focused on Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI). As a CDI professional, you will be trained in the fascinating intricacies of translating chart information to appropriate billing codes.

Working in CDI is a great choice for discouraged doctors. This job allows for the option to work in-house at your current hospital, as an independent contractor, or from home. The job requires working on CDI teams, interacting with individual physicians, and teaching small groups of physicians.

There are some great resources, such as the Association for Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists, which offer training and certification. You can also check out Episodes 5 with Cesar Limjoco, and 77 with Christian Zouain, for more information about this career choice.

Medical Communications

Medical Communications is one of the careers that are open to physicians with clinical experience and those without. Generally, you’ll be working in marketing agencies that deal with pharma and device companies.

It’s a great role if you enjoy working in a conventional office with a regular schedule. Teamwork and communication skills are important. There is a great infographic to check out with a list of agencies in the space. You should also take a listen to our interview with Dana Carpenter in episode 61.

Consulting

Consulting can be an excellent career choice for physicians without clinical experience. Firms sometimes prefer doctors without experience so they can train them to their way of doing things, without having to break old habits.

Depending on the firm and your location, it may require significant amounts of travel. It can be very lucrative, though, with opportunity for advancement. There are a many companies to look at if you are interested. Here are some of the biggest ones:

Medical Monitor

Frustrated and discouraged doctors that have experience working in research or with committees that deal with medication would be well suited to a career in medical monitoring. Medical monitors generally work in pharmaceutical research. They monitor research studies and ensure that they are medically sound. The job may involve some travel, but not as much as some of the other roles we covered. If you are interested in medical monitoring, listen to episode 70 of the podcast for more info. There are hundreds of companies that employ medical monitors. Here are some of the biggest ones:

Our Sponsor

We're proud to have the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, as the sponsor of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest-running, and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country, with over 650 graduates. Unlike other programs, which typically run 1 – 1/2 to 2 years, this program only takes a year to complete. And Economist Magazine recently ranked the business school #1 in the world for the Most Relevant Executive MBA.

University of Tennessee PEMBA students bring exceptional value to their organizations. While in the program, you'll participate in a company project, thereby contributing to your organization.

Graduates have taken leadership positions at major healthcare organizations. And they've become entrepreneurs and business owners.

By joining the University of Tennessee physician executive MBA, you will develop the business and management skills you need to advance your career. To find out more, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office by calling (865) 974-6526 or go to vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

Medical Science Liaison

Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a good entry job for getting into the pharmaceutical space. Ideal candidates for MSL roles will need to be very familiar with the regulatory landscape. You will also need to be okay with traveling regularly and meeting new people. A career as an MSL can require up to fifty percent travel and involves lots of “meeting and greeting.” The MSL Society and MSL Institute are both great resources. You can also listen to episodes 50, 51, 66, and 89 of the podcast.

Summary

These six careers will allow you to apply your medical training to help patients in a different way. There is an ongoing demand for each of them.

Pursuing them will require some old skills and a period of intense learning. But physicians who have made the transition have generally been very happy with their decision.

Eager to Build a Rewarding Career as a Medical Science Liaison?

Here's the smart way to do it (even if you never completed a residency training program)…

I recently released my first formal course How to Secure a Career as a Medical Science Liaison.

It’s designed to take you from where you are in your career, to your first job as an MSL in the growing pharmaceutical industry.

I chose to focus on this career because it's open to both licensed and unlicensed physicians.

The course is now open. It will be closed for enrollment soon. And the current price is the LOWEST price at which it will ever be offered.

To learn more, go to vitalpe.net/mslcourse.

Links for today's episode:

See text for links.

Thanks to our sponsor…

Thanks to the UT Physician Executive MBA program for sponsoring the show. It’s an outstanding, highly rated, MBA program designed for working physicians. It might be just what you need to prepare for that joyful, well-paying career. You can find out more at nonclinicalphysicians.com/physicianmba.

I hope to see you next time on the PNC Podcast.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it on Twitter and Facebook, and leave a review on iTunes.

Podcast Editing & Production Services are provided by Oscar Hamilton.

Disclaimers:

The opinions expressed here are mine and my guest’s. While the information provided on the podcast is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, there is no express or implied guarantee that using the methods discussed here will lead to success in your career, life or business.

Many of the links that I refer you to, and that you’ll find in the show notes, are affiliate links. That means that I receive a payment from the seller if you purchase the affiliate item using my link. Doing so has no effect on the price you are charged. And I only promote products and services that I believe are of high quality and will be useful to you, that I have personally used or am very familiar with.

The information presented on this blog and related podcast is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. It should not be construed as medical, legal, tax, or emotional advice. If you take action on the information provided on the blog or podcast, it is at your own risk. Always consult an attorney, accountant, career counsellor, or other professional before making any major decisions about your career.

Right click here and “Save As” to download this podcast episode to your computer.

Here are the easiest ways to listen:

vitalpe.net/itunes OR vitalpe.net/stitcher

The post Nonclinical Careers That Will Save Discouraged Doctors – 095 appeared first on NonClinical Physicians.

How to Prepare Financially for a Career Pivot with Ryan Inman – 071

John Jurica — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Create a Written Plan

I’ve been interviewing experts in physician career transition for over a year. So, I thought it important to discuss how to prepare financially. For many of you, loss of income is one of the big fears that stops you from even considering a change.

Much of that can be ameliorated with good planning. So, I decided to get an expert on the show to help us with that issue. My guest is a financial expert who works exclusively with physicians and their personal finances.

Ryan Inman runs Physician Wealth Services , a fee-only financial planning firm devoted to the financial well-being of physicians. He was motivated by witnessing how vulnerable his wife was to poor financial advice during residency. And, he was shocked at how many advisors tried to take advantage of her and her peers.

To meet the needs a much larger audience than those in his backyard, Ryan later created Financial Residency. It's a podcast, and associated Facebook group, that serves hundreds of attendings, residents, and their spouses frustrated with their financial challenges.

Ryan's podcast teaches financial concepts so you can protect and grow your assets. Furthermore, he teaches you to shield yourself from insurance agents, stock brokers, fee based financial planners, and lenders that attempt to sell you financial products and services you don’t need.

The University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program

I'm very thankful to have the support of the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program offered by the Haslam College of Business. You’ll remember that I interviewed Dr. Kate Atchley, the Executive Director of the program, in Episode #25 of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest running, and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country, with over 650 graduates. Unlike most other ranked programs, which typically have a duration of 18 to 24 months, this program only takes a year to complete. And, it’s offered by the business school that was recently ranked #1 in the world for the Most Relevant Executive MBA program, by Economist magazine.

University of Tennessee PEMBA students bring exceptional value to their organizations by contributing at the highest level while earning their degree. The curriculum includes a number of major assignments and a company project, both of which are structured to immediately apply to each student’s organization.

Graduates have taken leadership positions at major healthcare organizations and have become entrepreneurs and business owners. If you want to acquire the business and management skills needed to advance your nonclinical career, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office by calling (865) 974-6526 or going to vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

Financial Considerations When Planning a Change

It's important to be very deliberate when changing careers. Here are some basic steps to follow as you prepare:

Step 1: Consider your ideal life. What is the ultimate goal of switching careers?

Step 2: Write your plan. If it's written, you're much more likely to achieve it.

Step 3: Avoid lifestyle creep and reduce debt, if possible.

Step 4: Think about the financial implications of leaving your current position. How does leaving affect insurance policies and retirement accounts?

Common Financial Mistakes Made by Physicians

At the end of our interview, Ryan spent a few minutes listing some of the most common financial mistakes made by physicians.

Often, because of years of delayed gratification, physicians adopt a savings rate that is too low. And they don’t seem to understand the concept of compounding: as it affects growth of both savings and debt.

So, Ryan recommends that physicians prepare by saving at least 20 percent of take-home pay. And, avoiding lifestyle creep can really help mitigate long term financial disasters.

We didn’t discuss this at length, but I’d recommend you have a financial planner like Ryan prepare some financial projections. Compare your current salary and benefits to the new career you’re considering 5 to 10 years out, so you can see the full impact of your decision.

Ryan's podcast addresses dozens of other financial issues, particularly relevant to physicians. Check out financialresidency.com or go to your favorite podcast app and search for Financial Residency. You’ll learn a lot.

And, if you need a financial review and plan, check out the services at Physician Wealth Services. It is strictly fee-only, the most unbiased approach to financial planning. He and his team will NOT try to sell you annuities or life insurance. Ryan can really understand your unique circumstances.

Resources for Today's Episode:

Financial Residency Podcast

Physician Wealth Services

Financial Residency Facebook Group

Physician Finance Group on Facebook

Doctors Unbound Podcast with David Draghinas

Thanks to our sponsor…

We appreciate the UT Physician Executive MBA program for sponsoring the show. It’s an outstanding, highly rated, MBA program designed for working physicians. It might be just what you need to prepare for that joyful, well-paying career. You can find out more at vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

Thanks again for listening. I hope to see you next time on Physician NonClinical Careers.

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it on Twitter and Facebook, and leave a review on iTunes.

Podcast Editing & Production Services are provided by Oscar Hamilton.

Disclaimers:

Right click here and “Save As” to download this podcast episode to your computer.

Here are the easiest ways to listen:

vitalpe.net/itunes or vitalpe.net/stitcher

The post How to Prepare Financially for a Career Pivot with Ryan Inman – 071 appeared first on NonClinical Physicians.

How to Get a Great Job with a CRO with Dr. Christian Urrea – 070

John Jurica — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:15:01 +0000

Leverage Communication Skills

Dr. Christian Urrea is currently working as a medical monitor for Novum Pharmaceutical Research Services, a Contract Research Organization (CRO). He graduated from Drexel University School of Medicine in 2012, then landed a job as a Specialist in QI and UM for a community hospital before moving to Novum as a Medical Monitor.

In today’s interview, Christian provides great advice as he describes his career journey. His comments are especially useful to physicians who did not complete residency and are not licensed. As he explains, with careful planning, networking, and mentoring, it's possible to find a job like his that builds on your medical education.

Christian comes from a medical family. So, he felt like he had a natural predilection toward clinical medicine. He went to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and majored in chemistry. He went on to get a master's degree, as well as experience as a clinical research associate (CRA) before attending Drexel University College of Medicine.

As he neared graduation from Drexel, Christian realized clinical work was not the best option for him. So, he chose not to seek a residency position. After he graduated, he became a quality improvement (QI) and utilization management (UM) specialist for a community hospital.

The University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program

Tracking Quality and Performance

Christian used the community hospital’s system to track compliance with quality measures and reward providers who achieved better-than-average scores.

Payers provided data that showed gaps in referral and patient care patterns, such as the rate of preventive screenings (i.e. colonoscopies, mammograms, etc.).

The goal was to analyze the data and develop a provider-specific plan to achieve the Triple Aim. Also, Christian developed peer-to-peer relationships with his network providers and used those data to educate them.

Even though I am not interested in direct patient care as a career, it doesn't mean that I don't feel passionate about having an impact on patient care.
Christian Urrea, MD

Christian found that gaining physician buy-in is a critical component to success in this field. Having the medical degree certainly helped him achieve that trust.

Although Christian wasn’t interested in direct patient care as a career, it didn’t mean that he wasn’t passionate about having an impact on patient care. After working for the PHO for a few years, he decided that investigating drug therapies was the best way for him to do that.

Hence, he sought a position as a medical science liaison (MSL). But at he began his search, he found that the medical monitor position would better align with his goals.

Using LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a place to network and find mentors. It also hosts a job board. And your profile can help recruiters find you. One of the first connections Christian made on LinkedIn was with Dr. Samuel Dyer, CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society and author of Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break Into Your First Role.

Based on his experiences, Christian's advice to someone looking for a career as an MSL or a medical monitor is to find a mentor. A mentor can point you in the right direction, and provide encouragement when you become discouraged.

Being a Medical Monitor

Christian explained the positive aspects of his job as a medical monitor:

He enjoys being a cross-functional leader, collaborator, and teacher;
Being the primary person responsible for oversight of the safety of clinical trial subjects is fulfilling;
Fostering collaborative relationships with principal investigators is intellectually stimulating;
There are opportunities to work from home.

The primary downside to the position is that a sigicant amount of travel is generally required. According to Christian, you'll spend about 35% of your time travelling

Finally, he offers some tips on how to land a job as a medical monitor: