Friday, July 31, 2009

Tips on rewriting your CV for a non-clinical career


I've been working with physicians to help them rewrite certain sections of their CV (Curriculum Vitae, or resume). I find that physicians are used to listing their titles/positions. They naturally assume that people who are reading their CV know what "Clinical Professor of Medicine" or "Private Practice Internist" means. This may be true in the clinical world, but in the non-clinical world, you really want to emphasize your accomplishments, skills, and abilities that will translate into the business world. For instance, if you worked in a hospital, did you lead any groups? Were you part of a committee that developed any protocols? Did you direct any system-level changes? Did you hold any administrative responsibilities?

These types of action-oriented details are crucial. It's important to tell a cohesive story that outlines how you've gone from one point in your career to the next. If you worked in private practice, what types of administrative or practice management decisions did you make? What were the outcomes?

Physicians often have CVs that look like a laundry list of positions and accomplishments. Corporate CVs are very different. If you wish to transition your career into the non-clinical world, you must provide more content so that the readers can understand and evaluate your qualifications and your ability to translate clinical expertise and leadership skills to the corporate environment.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Medical Fusion Conference


Are you a physician interested in career change or opportunities in non-clinical careers? Are you frustrated with your medical career and interested in learning about career options for medical professionals? Do you wonder what else you could be doing with your medical training?

The Medical Fusion conference (www.MedFusionConf.org) is a new event that is focused on physician career change. Experts from around the country have been recruited to teach on non-clinical jobs, physician entrepreneurship, venture capital, medical journalism, medical informatics, and opportunities for physicians in the pharmaceutical industry, law, and television.

This life-changing event will take place November 13-15, 2009 at the Wynn Las Vegas. Participants will receive a special room rate at the Wynn for $199 per night and tuition is only $599 for twenty hours of lecture, much lower than many CME events. Register online as a reader of this blog and enter the code "JKBLOG" to receive a $25 discount.

Why continue the frustration? Learn how to use your talents and training in new and interesting ways. Be taught by physicians who have successfully bridged the gap between clinical and non-clinical careers such as:
  • Dr. Michael VanRooyen, Co-Director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and co-founder of four start-up companies
  • Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, former Family Physician who retired from clinical medicine at age 35 and now runs many successful internet marketing companies
  • Dr. Julie Silver, Chief Editor of Books at Harvard Health Publications and author of 14 books
  • Dr. Ken Kamler, surgeon and best-selling author who is a consultant for the Discovery Channel and columnist for National Geographic Adventure
  • Dr. Joe Smith, Vice President of Emerging Technology at Johnson & Johnson
  • Dr. Mark Crockett, expert in medical informatics and President of the Emergency Care Division of Picis
  • Dr. Mark Kroll, medical device inventor and expert in medical technology
Come to Vegas in November and learn from the best. Visit the Medical Fusion conference website at www.MedFusionConf.org and see why so many physicians are turning to Medical Fusion to begin their new careers. Make this event your first step to a new and exciting career change. Register online as a reader of this blog and enter the code "JKBLOG" to receive a $25 discount.

The deadline for the early registration tuition for Medical Fusion is September 15th. After that date, the tuition goes up to $799 for physicians and $649 for non-physicians.

Non-Clinical Medical Careers in Politics


Do you think that it's a good time to get into healthcare politics? So many healthcare issues are being discussed in Washington right now. If you're passionate about politics, maybe you'd be interested in investing in some formal education.

The Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at the George Washington University offers a Master of Professional Studies in Political Management. The George Washington University's programs are co-developed by university content specialists and outside partners, including government agencies, professional associations, consulting organizations, business and industry leaders.

Students networked with respected fellow professionals across the nation including:
  • Public Policy Project Managers
  • Government Department Managers
  • Disability Advocacy Consultants
  • Directors for R&D campaign planning
My favorite FAQ about this program is: "How do the GSPM's political programs differ from political science or public policy programs?" Here's the answer:
The School's curriculum focuses on applied or practical politics, not on theory-building. Public policy or public administration programs focus upon decision-making integral to the machinery of government, notably executive branch agencies. In contrast, students of political management concentrate upon the political processes that influence those agencies from outside the formal apparatus of government, through such activities as lobbying or elections. Our faculty are experienced political professionals: our full-time professors have extensive political experience, and our adjunct faculty are professionals working at the top level in the field.
Social networking is so important in the corporate world and even more critical in the world of politics. Maybe you can get a head start through this program. I don't have a love for politics, so I'm not interested, but perhaps you may want to learn more. Visit: http://www.gspmonline.com/

Of course, you could also pursue one of these degrees:
  • Master of Health Administration (MHA)
  • Master of Health Care Administration (MHA)
  • Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care
Of course, you could always consider these options:
  • Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management (MPA) - I suggest NYU Wagner
  • Master of Science in Health Policy Research (MSHP) - I suggest the University of Pennsylvania
  • Master of Science in Health Services Research - I suggest Stanford
  • Master of Science in Health Policy and Management - I suggest Harvard
  • Master of Science in Health Care Management - I suggest Harvard
If you want to cover it all:
  • Master of Science in Health Services Research, Policy and Administration (MS-HSRP&A) - you can get this degree at the University of Minnesota

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Over 730 members and growing weekly


As the month of July comes to an end, I wanted to provide a membership update. We currently have over 730 members in our Ning social networking community (Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals). When we entered the month of July, we had 668 members. After announcing a career counseling service earlier this month, I'm now working with over 50 physicians who are seriously interested in pursuing non-clinical careers.

I'm still finalizing some of the details with my professional career counselors who are eager to help these individuals and I hope to provide some updates over the next several weeks as things move forward. If you haven't joined this social networking community, I encourage you to join. It's free to join and it's a great way to meet others who may share similar interests. Plus, it's a good way to stay updated with any new developments/services offered through this site.

Physician Executive MBA


I don't have an MBA (yet), but I'd like to pursue one someday. Like many of you, I've been thinking about the pros/cons of an MBA. When's the right timing? Given the current economic conditions, I feel like I should be saving instead of spending towards further education. After all, I don't "need" an MBA to work right now. Therefore, when would it make sense to make the time and financial investment? What type of ROI (return on investment) will I see if I invest an an MBA? Why do tuition costs vary so much from one school to the next?

If you're thinking about getting an MBA in healthcare management, there's a long list of programs that focus on healthcare or medical management. One program that comes to mind is the University of Tennessee College of Business Administration. This program is offered exclusively for physicians seeking high-quality leadership, management, and business operation skills. This program is conveniently available nationwide, requiring only four, one-week, on-site residence periods during the 12-month program. All other course hours are available at your computer desktop through the Internet. Classes start in early January; graduation is in December of each year.

Want to see some of the profiles of recent graduates? Click on this link to see graduates from 2009. You'll see a mixture of U.S. and foreign/international medical graduates (IMGs/FMGs) in various hospital positions throughout the country. Modern Physician has consistently ranked the University of Tennesse program as the "#1 Preferred MBA Program Exclusively for Physicians."

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Free Webinar on Observational Research

What do you know about the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA)? How about Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS)? Here's a brief summary of this free webinar:
It has been generally assumed within the industry that the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA) would increase the number of observational studies required by the FDA to monitor the long-term, real-world safety of new products (whether as part of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) plan or as a standalone study). Based on the post-marketing commitments included in new product approvals over the past year, however, it is not clear where the FDA will ultimately settle regarding interventional vs. observational safety studies.
Complimentary Webinar:
Future Directions of Observational Research: What we expected or plotting a new course?
Jul 30, 2009
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
This webinar reviews the merits and strengths of observational research in terms of safety surveillance, real-world product effectiveness, patient-reported outcomes and health economic measures.

Presented by: Dave Provost; Vice President, Global Post-Approval; INC Research
Dave Provost is responsible for management of the operational unit as well as for providing strategic consulting to clients regarding the design and implementation of their global late phase programs. He has nearly 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, all within the peri- and post-approval areas, and offers deep expertise in program design and implementation strategies. In addition to clinical research, Provost also has a background in health outcomes, market research and data collection and presentation technologies.
Click here to register.

Expanding my network to connect with executive recruiters


Over the years, I've met many executive recruiters who work on filling non-clinical positions in pharma/biotech, consulting, research, medical communications, market research, health IT, and other healthcare industry segments. I've been in regular touch with some of them, but I'm now working on actively expanding my network so that I can help other physicians who are actively looking for non-clinical jobs.

If you're an executive recruiter and you work on placing physicians into non-clinical positions, please connect with me on LinkedIn and let's start working together. I currently have a list of over 50 physicians who are actively looking for non-clinical jobs and on average I am getting contacted by 2-4 physicians each day. Some of them are making the transition into the non-clinical space while others have been working in different healthcare industries for several years.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

This is a great book from my Reading List that has received many positive ratings on Amazon. The summer is a great time to catch up on reading and I think you'll find this to be helpful if you're considering a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. It's also been reviewed by Chemical & Engineering News as well as the American Chemical Society Careers Blog.

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

Here's a snippet from Amazon:
Each chapter includes valuable sections on preparing yourself for a prospective career: educational requirements and personality characteristics needed; recommendations of books, magazines, and Web site resources; and issues to consider regarding salary and compensation. The book also includes interviewing and job searching tips, as well as suggestions on writing a resume specifically for industry.


The author (Toby Freedman, PhD) was trained as a scientist and transitioned into business as a writer, recruiter, and entrepreneur. She now runs a life-science recruiting firm, Synapsis Search. Toby received a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University and at the University of Texas at Austin.

Meet some industry Chief Scientific Officers


Would you like to meet some Chief Scientific Officers (CSOs)? What exactly does a CSO do? They keyword here is "strategy." Are you able to integrate scientific strategy with business strategy and communicate things clearly to both internal and external stakeholders? These CSOs are very powerful people in the world of pharma.

According to a recent article on PharmaVOICE, the Chief Scientific Officer "helps set a company's strategy, interacts with investors and board of directors, and helps people understand the science behind new products." It's really a combination of public relations (PR) both externally and internally. They need strong corporate leadership skills that includes a considerable amount of ownership and strategy development.

So who are some of these industry CSOs?
  • Julian Adams, PhD (Infinity Pharmaceuticals)
  • Joseph Bolen, PhD (Millennium, the Takeda Oncology Company)
  • Charles Cantor, PhD (Sequenom)
  • Timothy Clackson, PhD (Ariad Pharmaceuticals)
  • Kevin Judice, PhD (Achaogen)
  • Ruther McKernan, PhD (Pfizer Regenerative Medicine)
  • Martin Petkovich, PhD (Cytochroma)
  • Barry Polisky, PhD (MDRNA)
  • Jasbir Seehra, PhD (Acceleron Pharma)
  • Marc Tessier-Lavigne, PhD (Genentech)
To view the PharmaVOICE article and to meet these CSOs, click here (will open as a PDF).

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Social networking dangers

My Facebook account got hacked over the weekend. Fortunately, many people told me about it and I was able to get Facebook to shut down the account. However, it goes to remind me that there are dangers associated with social media and you must tread cautiously whenever you use social media. Never use the same password on multiple accounts. That could come back to haunt you. To read my story, click here: My Facebook account got hacked!

Top posts on NonClinicalJobs.com

Here are the top 5 posts on NonClinicalJobs.com for last week:
  1. Non-Clinical Medical Opportunities for Physicians and Other Clinicians

  2. Find a Non-Clinical Mentor

  3. 5 High Paying Medical Careers That Don't Require A 4+ Year Degree

  4. The Best Non-Clinical Healthcare Jobs

  5. IMGs or FMGs and non-clinical careers

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Jobs in Healthcare Consulting


If you could become a healthcare consultant, where would you want to work? McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), or Booz? Perhaps you may be looking for jobs with AT Kearney, Navigant, Accenture, Deloitte. Do you know what it takes to get a job in healthcare consulting? If you're looking for a competitive edge and you're willing to make an investment in your career, then you may want to consider investing in a career coach or mentor who has some first-hand experience working in a consulting firm.

As our nation prepares for some major changes within the healthcare system, I see that more opportunities will open up in the world of healthcare consulting. So many questions will need to get answered before we truly know what type of impact these healthcare reform changes will have on different industries ranging from pharma to managed care to hospital systems to actual physicians.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Non Clinical Physician Jobs

The keywords "non clinical physician jobs" represents roughly 7% of my site traffic. Search engine traffic overall represents 28% of my site traffic. Physicians who are using search engines like Google or Yahoo are typing that phrase more than any other phrase. I don't see anyone typing "non clinical doctor jobs." We're doctors, but I think we prefer the term physician. I think that's the same for attorneys. They're lawyers, but they seem to prefer the term attorney. There's nothing wrong with the term "doctor" or "lawyer" but for some reason "physician" and "attorney" sounds better. Why? I have no idea.

Well, if you happened to stumble upon this site through a search engine, I hope you'll find what you're looking for. This site is meant to focus on non-clinical physician jobs, but I also write about non-clinical opportunities for other healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, NPs, PAs, researchers, psychologists, physical therapists, and many others. Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll visit frequently and tell others about this resource.

Why do you wish to switch careers?


If you make the transition from the clinical world of medicine into the non-clinical business side of healthcare, be prepared for the popular question: why? You'll obviously get other questions, but it's critical that you really think about this important question.
  • Are you burned out?
  • Do you hate your job?
  • Are you having trouble with performance?
  • Is there friction in the workplace?
  • Did you choose the wrong medical specialty?
  • Are you dissatisfied with your income?
  • Do you want more flexibility in your life?
  • Are you looking for career advancement?
It can be very difficult to go back to clinical medicine after you leave, so think of this as a one-way street. You can always do some exploring to see if the non-clinical side is right for you, but you'll never know until you actually experience it first-hand. This is why it's critical to expand your social network and meet people who are working in different industries.

Here are a few other questions to consider:
  • Do you have a realistic perception of what life is like on the non-clinical side?
  • Will you have regrets about leaving clinical medicine?
  • Are you willing to have less job security, given our current economic state?
  • Do you want to climb the corporate ladder of success?
  • Will you get burned out with a non-clinical career?
  • What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
Of course, the list of questions can be endless. However, it's critical to work through many of these issues as you contemplate a career transition into the non-clinical world of medicine.

Importance of resume retooling


You've probably seen "resume retooling" services advertised by various organizations. Do they really work? Are they truly helpful? The answer is "yes" if you're planning on a transition into the non-clinical world. However, you have to make sure that you get help from the right source. Therefore, I'm not here to endorse any specific resume retooling services, but I can tell you that the proper career coach can really help you tailor your CV for the right audience. If you're highly motivated and you wish to gain a competitive advantage, then you'll want to invest in proper resume retooling services.

Physicians are used to simply listing their accomplishments. We all know what it takes to become a physician. Being a neurosurgeon in LA is no different than being a neurosurgeon in NYC. We also know what it's like to work in a hospital, clinic, private office, or academic center. However, a CV that only lists your accomplishments won't help you make the transition into the business world. You need to include content behind your work experiences. In the corporate world, there are differences between a Medical Director at Amgen vs. a Medical Director at Merck. The term "Medical Director" in the corporate world can mean a variety of different things. You'll find many non-physicians who have the title "Medical Director" in the corporate world of business.

What's of paramount importance is that you must tailor your resume to your audience. Most physicians don't know how to do that. It's like wearing a t-shirt and jeans to a black tie affair. There's no one outfit that will be appropriate in all social situations. Likewise, you can't have one resume and expect to use it for a variety of different jobs.

If you're interested in career coaching advice and resume retooling from experienced professionals who have worked in specific industries, then please make sure to read:
If you're serious about making a career transition, then you should ask yourself what type of investment you want to make about your future career.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Prepare for Case Studies: Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation

If you're interested in a healthcare consulting career, have you read this book?
Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc P. Cosentino
It is well rated on Amazon and here's a brief description:
Cosentino demystifies the consulting case interview. He takes you inside a typical interview by exploring the various types of case questions and he shares with you a system that will help you answer today's most sophisticated case questions.
Marc P. Cosentino is the president of CaseQuestions.com and the former Associate Director of Career Services at Harvard for 18 years. Marc is a graduate of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the University of Denver.

Receive Career Coaching for a job at McKinsey & Company


I constantly meet medical students and physicians who do not understand how difficult it can be to get a job at McKinsey. Having an MD/MBA doesn't automatically get you into McKinsey & Company as a healthcare business analyst. Being a Harvard or MIT grad doesn't guarantee a job at McKinsey. You don't necessarily need an MD/MBA to work at McKinsey & Company, but you need to be very unique. What sets you apart?

Do you want to know what it takes to get an interview? Do you want to work through some real case studies and receive coaching while you're at it? Do you want to know how you can gain that competitive edge and really stand out? If you're highly-motivated at getting a healthcare consulting job with a top-tier consulting firm like McKinsey, then gain that competitive advantage by receiving some personalized career coaching from a former internal corporate recruiter at McKinsey. This person is also a former McKinsey Business Analyst, so he intimately knows what it takes to hire consultants and to work as a consultant. Please contact me if you are interested in receiving more information about personalized career coaching from this individual.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Paid physician surveys


Doctors are in a unique position to earn some supplemental income by filling out surveys. Consider this one form of non-clinical moonlighting. You sit in front of your computer and spend 15-45 minutes filling out surveys. Then, you close your computer and wait for the check in the mail. Some of these surveys pay several hundred dollars per survey. Most of these are market research surveys, but you may also see some that are focused on educational research. Some surveys give you Amazon gift credit instead of cash. Would you prefer cash or Amazon gift credit? Want to start earning some extra cash through paid surveys? An easy place to get started is Sermo (but this site is only for U.S. physicians).

HIV Surveillance Coordinator (Senior Epidemiologist)

Here's another public health job post: HIV Surveillance Coordinator (Senior Epidemiologist in the state of Alabama)

The Senior Epidemiologist in a permanent full-time position with the Department of Public Health. Involves providing supervision and support to other epidemiologist in order to control the spread of selected communicable diseases, environmental and occupational illnesses, and perinatal, chronic, or communicable diseases.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in Epidemiology, Biometry, or Biostatistics
• Four years of experience in epidemiology
OR
• Doctoral degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in Epidemiology, Biometry, or Biostatistics
Salary: $47,757.60 - $80,287.20 (that's quite a broad range, isn't it?)

Interested in more information? Contact me if you'd like to know more. The point I'd like to make about this job post is that certain positions may be linked to a very broad salary range.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Recommended Reading for Physician Executives

I'm compiling a list of books that are relevant for physicians interested in transitioning into the non-clinical world of medicine. You can buy all of these titles on Amazon, so I hope you'll find this list to be a useful resource. I'm listing 4 books below:


I'm also working on my own book and hope to get that out sometime next year. The summer's a great time to catch up on some reading, so I hope you'll enjoy these titles.

Jobs on LinkedIn: Medical Affairs


There are several jobs on LinkedIn in the category of "Medical Affairs." Let me give you an example of what you might find:

Job description:
Vice President, Medical Affairs with a focus on Phase IV & Epidemiological Studies. The position is responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership to the Phase IV & Epidemiology team of Medical & Scientific Affairs and will manage epidemiologists and physicians engaged in clinical research.
Job requirements:
• A Doctor of Medicine degree with training in preventive medicine, internal medicine, or related specialty, with postgraduate training (MPH or PhD) or equivalent experience in epidemiology.
• Minimum five years industry experience required with all phases of clinical trials design and conduct.
• In-depth understanding and experience in post marketing clinical research and epidemiological methods, and methods of analysis of large healthcare databases.
If you're not using LinkedIn to look for jobs, you may be missing some incredible non-clinical career opportunities.

Monday, July 20, 2009

"Carry the bag" to break into pharma


If you're trying to break into the pharmaceutical industry, you may need to "carry the bag." What bag? The bag of drug samples and other detailing materials that drug reps carry. That bag should be much lighter now that you can't give away pens or note pads and especially as detailing moves towards e-detailing. Now, the bag mainly consists of drug samples, journal reprints, and a few other things.

If you're a clinician, does it make sense to enter the pharmaceutical industry as a drug rep? It's certainly one way to gain entrance into the field. However, your salary isn't driven by traditional sales and commissions, so don't expect a hefty paycheck.

You may want to consider a different option. You can also enter the pharma industry as a medical science liaison or MSL. Some companies use different terms (such as Regional Medical Liaison or RML, Medical Science Manager or MSM, Regional Medical Scientist or RMS, and others). Expect a ton of travel if you work as an MSL. Job descriptions usually state: "Must have an MD, PharmD, or PhD degree with excellent communication skills." Salary is commensurate upon industry experience. So how do you gain that industry experience? Well, you can always start by carrying the bag as a drug rep and then switching to be an MSL after you gain a few years of experience. It won't be the most efficient career path, but it's one way that you can climb the ladder within corporate America. Sometimes you hear of janitors who climb their way to become CEO. I realize that those stories are rare (and unusual), but where there's a will, there's bound to be a way.

IMGs or FMGs and non-clinical careers

  • IMG = international medical graduate
  • FMG = foreign medical graduate
They mean the same thing, but you may be more accustomed to using one acronym vs. the other. Hence, let me use both in the title, but to be consistent with the AMA (American Medical Association), I will use the term IMG.

If you're an IMG and you're considering a non-clinical career, do you know where to begin? I've found that there are very few resources for those seeking non-clinical careers in medicine for U.S. grads, let alone for IMGs. I've written on this topic before, but I'd like to highlight a few points:
  • If you're an IMG, it's critical that you have very strong language skills if you wish to excel in a non-clinical career in the U.S. I've met many IMGs who have medium U.S. language skills and that's going to make it very difficult for you to get into any position outside of clinical or basic science research.
  • If you're an IMG, social networking is critical. You want to have many connections in the corporate world so that you can gain a "foot into the door." By expanding your social network, you may meet people who can help you gain entry into different companies.
  • Visas - these can be a real obstacle in certain situations. You can't rely on a J-1 Student Visa anymore. Make sure to ask any potential employer about issues related to an H-1B Non-Immigrant Work Visa.
There are many IMGs who hold very high positions in different non-clinical industries ranging from pharma/biotech to medical communications. How did they get there? Some may have entered by working internationally and then transferring to the U.S. Others slowly worked the corporate ladder and "climbed" to success. If you feel lost, perhaps you'd like to start by Finding a Non-Clinical Mentor.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Thanks for helping me reach 16,000 followers on Twitter


Thanks for helping me reach 16,000 followers on Twitter. Many of you have helped me expand my network by retweeting (RT) my tweets and by telling others about this website. I appreciate your help and ask that you would continue to tell others about this resource. As we grow together and expand our networks mutually, we will have the ability to help other classmates and colleagues find exciting non-clinical careers during these difficult economic times.

Not using Twitter yet? Get a free account and start following @DrJosephKim

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Overwhelmed by people looking for mentors


Several days ago, I had posted something to see who wanted to find a non-clinical mentor (Find a Non-Clinical Mentor). The response has been overwhelming and I'm still sorting through all my e-mails, so please be patient while I work through this. On top of that, there was a strong interest in health IT and several mentors were at AMDIS. So, if you're still interested in finding a mentor, expect to see a survey from me over the next week. Also, make sure that you're a member of the Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals network (free to join). I will be using that to broadcast messages. Finally, if you know others who may also be interested in this type of mentorship program, please have them contact me.

I'm trying to collect some more information so that we can launch an effective mentorship program (and please keep in mind that this will not be a free program, but we are working on keeping the fees as reasonable as possible).

Friday, July 17, 2009

Travel Nurse Across America


This is a guest post by Simolyn S.

The United States faces a severe manpower shortage in the nursing industry today. Qualified nurses are in demand and the industry generally favors the chances of good nurses. The travel nursing segment is in need of quality nurses too. It is a known fact that the travel nurses industry is booming because of this shortage of efficient nursing staff. The industry is quite receptive to the travel nurse concept, as it is able to meet the demands of the industry without having to rely only on the locally available skill sets. A hospital in Alaska might have a travel nurse from Alabama and vice versa. This not only solves the problems of inadequate local nursing resources, but also gives exposure at various levels to the travel nurses too.

A travel nurse is paid on par with a regular nurse and in some instances they are paid higher than the regular ones. A travel nurse has got more chances of working along with healthcare professionals of different standards and exposure to different types of medical technologies. The fact that someone has chosen a career in travel nursing is proof that the person is aware of the potential in terms of monetary benefits this occupation offers, and also the various kinds of exposure that they will be open to. If you are a travel nurse and have been working as one for quite some time, but you still feel that you are not earning the kind of money that you imagined you would and/or are not being exposed to diverse working environments, then there is a problem.

In simple terms, you’ve been given a raw deal! Most possibly the travel nursing company that placed you does not have an idea of your potential or your requirements. In most cases, what happens is, a candidate gets lured by the higher salaries promised and the travel opportunities they get and all the accompanying goodies, they forget to check one vital area, and that is the credibility of the travel nursing companies. Good travel nursing companies know how to rate you and how to get the maximum benefits for your quality. There aren’t many travel nursing companies that offer you insurance, travel benefits, 401k right from day one, bonuses and incentives to encourage you and a 24 hour online support. But there are some really first-class travel nursing companies that do offer all these and a whole lot more.

As a thumb rule, any travel nursing company that offers you upwards of $22 per hour is one of the better companies. This is the industry standard. The best ones even offer $50/hour to the deserving candidates and these companies will get you the minimum guaranteed work hours too. Good travel nursing companies like these will offer a travel nurse, work hours between 36 to 48 hours a week. So the wages/salary you get, multiplied by the hours that you can put in will leave you no unhappiness on the money front. Next thing is exposure. Many travel nursing companies assure you that you will get ample travelling opportunities (one of the things that most aspiring travel nurses want) and exposure to different hospitals/working environment all over the country. But sadly, many of them fail to deliver that promise and stick you with one hospital/place for very long periods.

This is because these companies do not have tie ups with hospitals across the length and breadth of the country, nor do they have the trained manpower resources to supply the demands of the hospitals. Professional travel nursing companies have extensive tie ups and a network that covers the whole country. These companies will start you off on a 13 week tenure and might get you work terms in between 8 to 52 weeks. Now, how long a period you want to work in one place/hospital is entirely up to you and all that is required of you is to tell the travel nursing company your preference before you sign up and they’ll place you in a hospital that meets your requirements.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Speak about healthcare


Do you consider yourself to be a clinical expert? Are you a public speaker? Perhaps you'd like to get involved in some more public speaking (let me clarify: paid speaking). Well, perhaps you'd like to take a look at this:
Speakers on Healthcare (http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com)
Most of the speakers are politicians and celebrities (although maybe this is one way you can become a celebrity). Dr. Regina Benjamin (nominated this week to be the next surgeon general) was one of about 50 political and health celebrities signed up with Speakers on Healthcare. Who else is on the list of speakers? You have people like:
Lance Armstrong
* 7-time Tour De France winner and cancer survivor

Meredith Baxter
* Actress Best Known From the Sitcom "Family Ties"; Advocate for Women's Health Personal stories on breast cancer, substance abuse and domestic violence

Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA
* "America's Doctor" on Oprah

Richard Simmons
* The nation's most revered fitness expert
* Known for his "Sweating' to the Oldies" program
* Bestselling author of Never Say Diet, as well as three cookbooks

Francine Kaufman, MD
* One of the world’s leading authorities on the link between obesity and diabetes
* Past president of the American Diabetes Association who now heads the Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at Children'

Peter Salgo, MD
* One Of This Country's Most Respected Healthcare Futuristss Hospital Los Angeles
* Author of Diabesity: The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America

Julie Gerberding, MD
* Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control
* Time Magazine Top 100 Innovators of the Year
* Forbes Magazine Top 25 Most Powerful Women

Sanjay Gupta, MD
* CNN's Senior Medical Correspondent for Health and Medicine
Sounds quite interesting, doesn't it? Author a book or get on television. Before you know it, you could become a paid speaker.

Job Post: Epidemiologist in Brazil


I've been approached by several people who are looking for some international non-clinical opportunities, so I thought I would share this.

Epidemiologist: Brasilia, Brazil

The Epidemiologist will be responsible for providing support services to enhance post-mortem diagnosis and investigation of deaths of unknown causes in Tocantins state.

* Provide Technical Assistance to Field Epidemiology Training Programs Ministry of Health partners in Brazil
* Enhance post-mortem diagnosis and investigation of deaths of unknown causes in Tocantins state.
* Implement International Health Regulations
* Develop appropriate protocols for in-hospital autopsies, transport of bodies, collection/handling/transport of Post-Mortem (PM) sample, shipping and handling.
* Identify and develop list of supplies & equipment for autopsies and PM specimen collection.
* Develop appropriate testing protocols; negotiate specimen flow, testing with reference laboratories.
* Create adequate informatics infrastructure for cataloguing and retrieving specimens; identify & evaluate lab information management systems.
* Build database for PM testing data; periodically analyze findings and disseminate reports & results.
* Develop core curriculum (achieve consensus on instructional goals and learning objectives) identified for IHR reporting training at local, state and federal levels.
* Adaptation of evaluation instruments for measuring IHR response capacity at local, state and federal level.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Background in Epidemiologist (MD or MPH with significant Epidemiology experience).
* Previous experience with unexplained death surveillance.
* Must be fluent in Portuguese (Written & Oral).
* US Citizen or Foreign National. Brazilian locals are not eligible.
* Professional training and extensive knowledge in communicable disease surveillance programs.

If you're interested in this opportunity, please contact me.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Learn about health systems


How well do you understand health systems? We are in the midst of significant changes in the economy, government, and in the healthcare system. Well, if you're interested in learning more about health systems, you may want to listen to these free podcasts produced in partnership with IBM, Healthcare IT News, and Healthcare Finance News. It's called the "Smarter Healthcare Series" and you can listen to these podcasts directly from your computer. Or, if you prefer, you can download the MP3 file and listen to it on your iPod or other MP3 player.

These series will cover the following topics:
  • Growing expectations for value from increasingly costly health systems.
  • Broad global awareness of quality and patient safety challenges.
  • Increasing need for citizens to make better health and wellness choices.
  • Emerging approaches to promoting health and delivering care such as e-health and medical tourism.
  • Expanding resource challenges.
  • Increasing cost sharing among public and private health insurers and individuals.
  • Worldwide healthcare reform acceleration fueled by economic stimulus dollars.
Want to learn more? Then visit this link to listen to Episode 1. Episodes 2 and 3 are coming later. If you're interested in pursuing a career in health IT, then these types of educational podcasts can be very helpful. I also suggest that you keep up with all the recent news that's surrounding the changing world of health IT.

Expand your social network this summer


Whether you're looking for a new job or not, the summer is a great time to expand your social network. You have more opportunities to socialize with people whether you're at the beach, a picnic, camping, or at a sporting event. If you're the shy type, then you may need to make some extra effort to expand your social network. If you're very extroverted, then you probably won't have any problems meeting new people through various social networking channels.

I've had the opportunity to grow my network considerably through a combination of blogging, using LinkedIn, following interesting people on Twitter, participating in online forums, and reconnecting with old colleagues and friends on Facebook.

I try to spend a small bit of time each week on each of these sites so that I can cultivate existing relationships and continue to expand my network. You never know who you may bump into. The other day, I met a very interesting individual on LinkedIn. Last week, I had a very interesting conversation with someone after briefly discussing something on Twitter. Today, I had a wonderful phone conversation with someone I've known superficially for a while. The summer is a great time to get to know people. Make the most of it because summer will be over soon.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

AMDIS Symposium in California

The AMDIS (Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems) 18th Annual Physician-Computer Connection Symposium is happening right now in California. Are you attending?

Career Transition Services on NonClinicalJobs.com


Career Transition Services on NonClinicalJobs.com


We are pleased to offer a personalized career coaching service for those who are serious about transitioning into a non-clinical career. Perhaps you're looking for someone to help you negotiate your next salary. Maybe you simply need guidance in how to leave clinical medicine.

All communication held highly confidential.

We are currently working with several experienced career coaches who are willing to work with you on a personalized level. Please note that this is a paid service. If you're serious about making a career transition and you would like some personalized one-on-one coaching to guide you through that process, then please contact me.

We currently service the following areas:
  • Medical communications/writing/education: medical marketing, advertising, promotional educational, certified medical education, medical publications, paid blogging, and more. You will have an opportunity to work directly with physicians who have worked in the medical communications industry as medical writers and medical directors. Receive assistance with salary negotiations.
  • Consulting (McKinsey, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, etc.) You will have an opportunity to work directly with a former McKinsey internal executive recruiter who is also a former McKinsey consultant (Business Analyst). He is willing to coach and guide clinicians interested in healthcare consulting. As part of the coaching process, he will review and analyze case studies with you to prepare you for the interview process. Receive assistance with salary negotiations. 
  • Financial Services: You will have an unique opportunity to work with a former Investment Banker on Wall Street who transitioned his career into Human Resources (HR), specializing in Staffing and Recruiting. Within this field, he has 10+ years experience as an internal HR recruiter, and external executive recruiter, across a variety of different industries ranging from Finance, Management Consulting, Pharma, Bio-tech, IT, etc... He can provide you with guidance/coaching from the pre-interview stage to the post-offer stage. He has experience both as an internal HR recruiter, and external executive recruiter managing total compensation packages up to $750K. He can provide valuable insight as to how "HR" operates, and how you can successfully navigate around 'HR" to maximize your compensation package.
  • Health Information Technology (Health IT): electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), decision support analysis, computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and more. You will have an opportunity to work directly with several physicians who have worked in various areas within health IT. One physician completed a biomedical informatics fellowship at Harvard and is working for a start-up health IT company. Another physician worked for an electronic personal health record (PHR) company and developed consumer health portals.
  • Pharma/Biotech: medical affairs, clinical research, regulator, writing, and more. You will have an opportunity to work directly with physicians who have worked in pharma/biotech. They are willing to share their personal career transition stories with you. You will also have the opportunity to work with pharma/biotech internal executive recruiters who are willing to coach clinicians about jobs in pharma/biotech and guide people through the transition process of leaving clinical medicine and entering the business world. Receive assistance with salary negotiations.
Our career coaches are experienced professionals who can guide you and help you "break in" or help you advance your career within specific non-clinical industries. We also have a team of human resource (HR) professionals who can help you with ob interviewing, salary negotiations, and much more.

As I recruit additional coaches and counselors, I will announce updates to those who are registered members of our " Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" network. You can access this page by clicking on the "Career Coaching" link at the top of the home page on http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com.

Please contact me if you have any questions and thank you for visiting our site.


About Joseph Kim, MD, MPH

You may be wondering why I blog about non-clinical jobs and offer career counseling services for physicians. Like many of you, I went to a well-respected college and a U.S. medical school. I studied engineering at MIT and went straight into medical school. After quickly recognizing that clinical medicine was not the “right fit,” I went on to explore my options in the non-clinical sector of the health care industry. By that time, I knew many physicians who left clinical medicine to pursue jobs in various industries including: pharma, biotech, medical communications, consulting, medical writing, medical devices, market research, etc.

Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to work in several different companies that have allowed me to blend my clinical background with my passion for education and technology. You may be surprised to hear this, but most practicing physicians don't know very many physicians who are currently working in non-clinical settings. How do you get started in a career transition? What kind of income could you make? Are you qualified for certain jobs if you don’t have formal education or training beyond medicine? If you’re struggling with these types of questions, I may be able to help you because I’ve had the opportunity to personally work with many physicians who have transitioned from clinical practice into full-time and part-time non-clinical positions. As they've encountered various questions and barriers along the way, we’ve navigated through many types of obstacles and challenges that you may also face as you search for non-clinical jobs.

I frequently refer physicians to “subject matter experts” within specific non-clinical industry domains. For instance, if you have very specific questions about the medical consulting industry, I would introduce you to a medical consultant who is willing to work with you and answer your questions about careers in that particular industry. I’ve personally worked in: medical communications, medical writing, health education, CME, disease management, blogging, health IT, and health care consulting.

I currently serve on the MIT Institute Career Advisor Network (ICAN) and also on the MIT Educational Council. I frequently speak with prospective MIT students, current MIT students and MIT alumni about career issues in the health care industry. I have been quoted by the American Medical News (a news publication for physicians published by the American Medical Association) in an article discussing non-clinical career options for physicians. I will be a speaker at the Medical Fusion conference this summer. I hope that you will find this blog to be a useful resource and I look forward to helping you make a successful transition into the non-clinical sector.

Experience with outplacement services


Have you ever had any experience working with outplacement services? Traditional outplacement can be defined as: "The process of facilitating a terminated employee's search for a new job by provision of professional services, such as counseling, paid for by the former employer." These days, so many people are looking for work and I see some non-traditional outplacement services being offered by various groups/companies/individuals. If you're looking to switch careers, you may have a difficult time finding a company to pay for outplacement services.

Outplacement services may cover things such as:
  • Resume improvement
  • Counseling
  • Career coaching
  • Negotiation skills
  • Networking
  • Job search
  • Career transition
  • Interview coaching
  • Career assessment guidance
Live outside North America? Below the equator? Southern hemisphere? Do you live in Australia? Perhaps you may want to see what you can find if you search for "career outplacement adelaide" or for "outplacement melbourne." Maybe you'll stumble upon a group called the Donington Group. They specialize in:
  • Career Transition and Outplacement
  • Career Management and Career Coaching
  • Career Development and Redeployment
  • Corporate Outplacement Support
I'm doing some research about outplacement services and I'd love to hear your stories (good or bad). Some organizations seem to be quite effective, but many don't seem to help a whole lot. Job seekers need to be coached by others who really understand that specific industry, but it seems like much of the coaching is being provided through generalists.

The Nonlinear Career Path of an Entrepreneur

Bright Horizon's founder Linda Mason tells an inspiring story as a recession-era entrepreneur who built several hugely successful, socially oriented ventures, navigating very real pitfalls and challenges along the way. Her “nonlinear path” yielded important life lessons, which she shares in this talk.

Hosted by the MIT Sloan School of Management as part of the Dean's Innovative Leader Series.

Grand Rounds @ Medicne and Technology

I hope you'll visit Medicine and Technology to read Grand Rounds Vol. 5 No. 43.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Common misconceptions regarding Twitter


Many people don't understand Twitter. They think that it's rather silly to tell people that "you're going to the bathroom" or that "you're about to eat a hamburger for lunch." Is that what Twitter is about?

Twitter may have originated with many people broadcasting trivial things as they go about their day, but it has evolved immensely into a powerful social broadcasting platform for people who have blogs and businesses. Twitter is being used by some major organizations, including professional medical societies, medical publishers, hospitals, and government agencies. You don't have to Tweet using your mobile phone or smartphone. I mainly use Twitter from my PC.

People may still have some misconceptions about Twitter because of what they hear on the news. However, I'm starting to hear the word "Twitter" appear more on television and radio stations. Have you noticed that too? In order to really understand Twitter, you have to try it for a few weeks. You won't understand it in a day. However, if you try it for about a month and use it regularly, then I think you may slowly start to realize the power behind Twitter.

Start by following some interesting people (like me @DrJosephKim). Click on their links and see what people are talking about. Warning: you may get addicted to these micro-conversations that occur on Twitter, so Tweet responsibly.

Listen to a debate on health IT

If you're interested in health information technology (health IT), I urge you to take a look at this: Live Webinar Tomorrow: The Great HIT Debate

Career coaching in health IT (information technology)


Would you be interested in receiving some "career coaching" advice from experts in the health IT field? Perhaps you're interested in switching careers but you don't know where to start. Maybe you've been involved in your hospital IT committee and you'd like to take your career to the "next level." Have you been thinking about a medical informatics fellowship? How about a master degree in medical informatics or in health information technology and information management?

Considering how much money will be directed towards health IT because of the HITECH provisions within ARRA, the world of health IT is a goldmine for tech-savvy physicians who are interested in pursuing non-clinical careers in this field. Perhaps you wish to learn more about: electronic health records (EHRs); decision support tools; personal health records (PHRs); tailored online messaging; disease management programs; quality improvement indicators; computerized physician order entry (CPOE); public health surveillance; natural language processing; algorithm generation; evidence-based decision support; e-prescribing; telemedicine; predictive modeling; decision support architecture and sharing; knowledge management; user-generated health information; mobile technology; data privacy and security; and much more!

If you'd like to have the opportunity to directly correspond with some health IT experts, contact me via e-mail because I may be able to help you. The other day, I had a nice phone conversation with a physician who had completed a Harvard-MIT Division of HST Biomedical Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship. I know several other people who have trained in medical informatics and are currently working in both the private and academic sectors. I'm expanding my network and I'd like to help you get the advice you need if you're thinking about opportunities within the health IT space.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Join me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Ning


I'm a social networker. I've helped many people get connected, find potential jobs, and network with other healthcare professionals who have similar interests. In the world of medicine, networking isn't so crucial (relatively speaking). In the world of business, networking is absolutely essential.

I invite you to join me on LinkedIn. I currently have about 800 connections that link me to over 13,000,000+ professionals and I'm always open to growing my network so that I may help others. My LinkedIn profile can be found here: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjosephkim

Need my e-mail address to add me to your network? Go to this page ("contact me") to view my e-mail address.

While you're building your social network, why don't you join me on Twitter (@DrJosephKim) and also join my free Ning social network: "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" (which currently has 686 members).

So, there you have it. I'm inviting you to join me on three different social networking sites:
  1. LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjosephkim)
  2. Twitter (@DrJosephKim)
  3. Ning ("Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals")
If you're not using these social networking sites, then you may be missing out on some incredible opportunities to help others (not to mention the opportunities that may be out there for you!)

Friday, July 10, 2009

MIT Sloan Executive Education: The power to turn crisis into opportunity


I'm a big fan of executive education. I'm a believer in lifelong education. I suppose every physician has to be, right? We're all called to continue our medical education through various certified CME (continuing medical education) courses.

Aside from medical education, what about executive education? MIT Sloan offers several executive education courses. If you're an MIT alumni, you can save 20% by using a special referral code. You can work your way to getting an MIT Sloan Executive Certificate if you complete enough courses. The areas of concentration include:
  • Strategy and Innovation
  • Technology, Operations, and Value Chain Management
  • Management and Leadership
So, what are you waiting for? Did you know that MIT Sloan Executive Education also has a Twitter account? Follow @MITSloanExecEd and don't forget to follow me @DrJosephKim

Jobs during medical school


What types of jobs do medical students have? It's hard to believe that medical students actually time for a part-time, let alone a full-time job. However, I know several students who went through the first two years of medical school holding part-time jobs. I also know that some students have various types of Internet-based businesses. This can be anywhere from blogging to selling antiques on eBay. Remember, there are many non-traditional medical students who have extensive experience in law, business, consulting, and other industries. They may have some part-time non-clinical jobs that keep them busy on the side.

So, what happens when you ask medical students about their part-time jobs? Here's what you get:
  • Working at a country/golf club on the weekends
  • Tutoring (I have experience with this)
  • Working in a restaurant
  • Blogging or medical writing
  • Donating to a sperm or egg bank
  • Research (let me clarify - being a human research subject)
  • Working in the school library
  • Pizza delivery
  • Online business
  • Ice cream store (now that would be my first choice)
  • And of course, working as an exotic dancer (wasn't that on a TV show? Yes, on Grey's Anatomy, but don't start getting any ideas.)
This list isn't meant to be exhaustive. Keep in mind that many students simply live off their school loans and they don't bother getting part-time jobs. Who has the time when you're trying to memorize all those body parts and drugs?

What's happening at Sermo and the AMA?

Curious about the recent war between Sermo and the AMA? Then make sure you read:

Things are getting ugly between Sermo and the AMA

and

Sermo's founder Dr. Daniel Palestrant on video

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Medical Informatics Training


If you're a physician, at what point do you need "formal training" in medical informatics if you wish to pursue a career in health IT?

It's hard to answer, because it largely depends on how motivated you are to self-learn. Have you been keeping up with all the recent changes in health IT? Are you familiar with health IT language? Are you a member of HIMSS? Are you tech-savvy? Have you been actively involved in your hospital's health IT committee? Do you hold any certifications in health IT?

You're probably not going to find a "crash course" on health IT that will teach you everything you need to know in a very short amount of time. However, if you're willing to invest some time and energy into formal education, then you may want to take a look at some programs that leverage distance-learning and online classrooms.

If you're interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Medical Informatics, then I would suggest the program at Northwestern University that is offered in partnership with the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Northwestern University's Master of Science in Medical Informatics program gives individuals with information technology backgrounds and clinically trained health professionals the knowledge and experience needed to apply their talents to careers in information services organizations within hospitals, health systems, academic environments, and the health systems and equipment industry. This interdisciplinary professional program aims to blend computing and clinical skills in the emerging field of medical informatics. The curriculum recognizes the complexities and academic demands of the field and emphasizes the specific technical requirements of the profession without training its students too narrowly. Graduates are able to understand and affect developments in the medical informatics field from a technical, theoretical, and managerial perspective.
The nice thing about distance learning is that you can take courses from anywhere. I almost went to Northwestern University for my undergrad. I ended up at MIT instead. However, I think I would have been very happy at Northwestern. Chicago is a great city.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Social Networking on BusinessWeek: Business Exchange


Did you know that BusinessWeek has its own social networking section? I'm not talking about the blogs or forums. There's another section called Business Exchange where you can share links to blogs, news articles, and other interesting content. It can also connect with Twitter and LinkedIn and it's another way that you can broadcast yourself on the Internet.

Right now, some of the most popular topics are:
  • US Economy
  • Twitter
  • Business Planning
  • Green Energy
  • Social Networking
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Economies of American Cities
  • Business Innovation
Of course, they also have health-related topics such as:
  • Health Insurance Reform
  • Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Managed Care
  • Health Information Technology
You can view my profile on Business Exchange by going here. To access Business Exchange: http://bx.businessweek.com/

Aerospace Medical Association


Have you heard of the Aerospace Medical Association? It's not usually called the AMA, because that would cause some significant confusion. The website is AMSA.org
The Aerospace Medical Association is the largest, most-representative professional organization in the fields of aviation, space, and environmental medicine. It is an umbrella group providing a forum for many different disciplines to come together and share their expertise. The Association has provided its expertise to a multitude of Federal and international agencies on a broad range of issues including aviation and space medical standards, the aging pilot, and physiological stresses of flight. AsMA's membership includes aerospace medicine specialists, flight nurses, physiologists, psychologists, human factors specialists, and researchers in this field. Most are with industry, civil aviation regulatory agencies, departments of defense and military services, the airlines, space programs, and universities. Approximately 25% of the membership is international.
So, if you're looking for a career change and you wish to leave the world of clinical medicine, maybe you need to think outside the box for a minute. Would you have any interest in aerospace medicine? So what exactly is aerospace medicine?
Aerospace medicine concerns the determination and maintenance of the health, safety, and performance of persons involved in air and space travel. Aerospace Medicine, as a broad field of endeavor, offers dynamic challenges and opportunities for physicians, nurses, physiologists, bioenvironmental engineers, industrial hygienists, environmental health practitioners, human factors specialists, psychologists, and other professionals. Those in the field are dedicated to enhancing health, promoting safety , and improving performance of individuals who work or travel in unusual environments. The environments of space and aviation provide significant challenges, such as microgravity, radiation exposure, G-forces, emergency ejection injuries, and hypoxic conditions, for those embarking in their exploration. Areas of interest range from space and atmospheric flight to undersea activities, and the environments that are studied cover a wide spectrum, extending from the “microenvironments” of space or diving suits to those of “Spaceship Earth”
If you love sci-fi, then this may be the perfect career changing opportunity for you. I'm a huge fan of science fiction and I think it would be a ton of fun to be a space doc. I'll never compare with Beverly Crusher, but I may have better manners than Leonard McCoy.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Reconnecting on LinkedIn


I just found out that a college friend (MIT alumni) will be relocating to my neighborhood. I haven't seen him in over 10 years! How did I find out? Through LinkedIn. Isn't social networking amazing?

He's starting dental school this fall and I want to wish him the best. After over 10 years of consulting and marketing, he's now entering the clinical world of dentistry. It's understandable to see people shifting from the non-clinical side (i.e., corporate America) to the clinical side. Given today's economy, you could have an MBA from Wharton and still be unemployed if you over-qualify for some of the positions that are out there. Marketing budgets are shrinking and pharma companies and merging and restructuring. It's a scary world out there, but if you stay on the clinical side of healthcare, things appear to be more promising. Well, I just wanted to share another story about how social networking sites can help you get reconnected.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Non-Clinical Jobs: Top Posts for Last Week

Here are the most popular posts from last week on NonClinicalJobs.com:
  1. Non-Clinical Medical Opportunities for Physicians and Other Clinicians

  2. The Best Non-Clinical Healthcare Jobs

  3. 5 High Paying Medical Careers That Don't Require A 4+ Year Degree

  4. 20 Highest Paying Jobs

  5. Consulting for McKinsey or the Boston Consulting Group

  6. Freelance Medical Writing Jobs on Elance

  7. 10 tips for physicians interested in a health IT career

  8. Working in a start-up company

  9. Transparency begins with salary info

  10. Health IT Jobs for Physicians

How do you find non-clinical jobs?


How do you find a non-clinical job? Do you still look in the newspaper? Medical journals? I don't think you'll find many listed in JAMA or the New England Journal of Medicine. So what's the best method?

Well, perhaps you landed on this site because you were looking for a non-clinical job. Do you depend on job boards to find non-clinical opportunities? How about LinkedIn? Are you looking for part-time work or a full-time career?

In today's world of buzzing information technology and connectivity, the best way to find a job is through a combination of social networking, recruiters, online job boards, and diligence. Forget about the newspapers or printed journals. Leverage networking sites like LinkedIn and meet as many qualified and competent recruiters as you can. Stay active in online communities and you may just find a job that meets your personal and professional needs.

Search engine keywords for NonClinicalJobs.com


What do you think are the main keywords that lead people to this website? What are people typing into Google to get here? I don't think you be very surprised by this list of keywords:
  • non clinical physician jobs
  • non clinical jobs for physicians
  • non clinical jobs
  • medical writing jobs
  • non clinical medical jobs
  • non clinical careers for physicians
  • non-clinical physician jobs
  • non clinical jobs for doctors
  • public health jobs california
  • medical jobs
  • non clinical physician careers
  • non-clinical jobs for physicians
  • leaving the bedside: the search for a non-clinical medical career
  • nonclinical physician jobs
  • physician salaries
  • non clinical medical careers
  • non-clinical medical careers
  • non-clinical medical jobs
  • clinical jobs
  • freelance medical writer jobs
  • freelance medical writing jobs
Over the last 30 days (month of June), search engine traffic represented roughly 30% of my site traffic. Before that (prior 30 days or the month of May), it represented 21%.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Independence Day


Today is July 4 and it marks Independence Day in the United States. Our country has changed dramatically since 9-11 and I think Independence Day has a revived meaning in this country. As we combat terrorism and fight for freedom, let us continue to pray for our soldiers and their families.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Why are doctors looking for non-clinical jobs?


Some doctors are looking for some non-clinical freelance work because they need supplemental income. Others are changing careers because they are burned out. Some are forced to find non-clinical work because of a variety of reasons. Others wish to explore the non-clinical arena to see what types of opportunities are available. Is the grass really greener on the other side?

What are your reasons for finding a non-clinical job? Are you looking for something part-time? A full-time career transition? Supplemental income? Moonlighting? A "backup plan" in case you end up hating clinical medicine?

These are interesting questions and over the next several months I'll be writing about various examples that outline why physicians and other healthcare professionals are looking for non-clinical jobs. I'm also still working on my new book and my goal is to get that out by the end of 2009. Let's see if that ends up happening.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Importance of alumni connections


What type of alumni connections do you have? Are you actively involved in your alumni association? I currently belong to 3 different alumni groups, and if I continue my education, then maybe I'll join a fourth someday. For now, I belong to these three groups:
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine (UAMS)
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences (UMass)
It's been easy to get reconnected with old classmates through Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Twitter. This goes to show that social networking sites really do work.

So why are alumni connections so important? Imagine that your former classmate is the hiring manager for a certain position that interests you. Instead of trying to reconnect before you submit your CV, wouldn't it be better if you had already maintained that connection? How would you even know if your former classmate is the president or CEO of a company? You'd be amazed at the types of connections you can find through your alumni network.