Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Featured Job Post: Medical Director, Cerner Healthe Employer

Medical Director, Cerner Healthe Employer

Cerner Corporation - Kansas City, MO 64015

Cerner Corporation is the leading U.S. supplier of healthcare information technology solutions that optimize clinical and financial outcomes. Around the world, health organizations ranging from single-doctor practices to entire countries turn to Cerner (NASDAQ: CERN) for our powerful yet intuitive solutions. Cerner offers clients a dedicated focus on healthcare, an end-to-end solution and service portfolio, and proven market leadership.

Cerner’s Healthe Employer organization is a health services provider to Fortune 2000 companies. Services include development and management of on-site primary care and occupational health clinics, wellness and condition health management, on-site pharmacy, third party claims administration, and benefit design. Healthe Employer currently operates more than 25 clinics throughout United States, including clients such as Cisco, Toyota, Frito-Lay, Campbell’s Soup, and other companies. Healthe Employer services combine the strength of Cerner’s technology innovation with over 30 years of experience and knowledge working with healthcare providers around the world.

Career advice from the MGMA (Medical Group Management Association)

Interested in receiving career advice from the MGMA (Medical Group Management Association)? You'll find some useful resources and articles related to medical management.

I suggest this resource: The Body of Knowledge for Medical Practice Management.
The Body of Knowledge for Medical Practice Management is the primary resource for those seeking to assess and develop their expertise in medical practice management. It also provides the content framework for the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) board certification program.
To read those career articles, visit: http://www.mgma.com/earlyCareerists/

You can also take a self assessment (ACMPE Personal Inventory based on the Body of Knowledge) here: http://www.mgma.com/inventory/

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

MedBio Virtual Career Expo

Interested in attending a virtual career expo? Meet with numerous employers and find your next great career opportunity. Here's a brief description of the MedBio Virtual Career Expo:
MedBio Virtual Career Expo will bring together the biotechnology, hospitals/healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Join us September 14th, 15th, 16th, 2010 to discuss your next medical career opportunity with top employers from across the globe.
You can read the press release here.

* Engage with more employers in less time thus reducing your job search timeframe
* Career opportunities linked directly to employers corporate career page. Apply directly
* Upload your resumes/CV's prior to the event
* No travel headaches or time away from your current job
* Attend company informational sessions to learn more about employer job opportunities, meet with recruiters, company culture, benefits, services, current medical research, career paths, and more
* Utilize web 2.0 technology and social media tools.
* Network with numerous employers in real time via live chat or privately
* Download hundreds of documents including white papers, company fact sheets, annual reports, and much more into your own personal virtual event bag
* Register for numerous webcasts and video presentations to stay abreast of the ever changing medical industry

To learn more, visit: http://www.medbiovirtualcareerexpo.com

Register today for FREE and start searching for your next great career opportunity

Monday, June 28, 2010

Not getting any interviews? It could be time to rewrite your resume.

If you're currently searching for a new job, I hope you're busy scheduling interviews and negotiating possible job offers. If you're not getting any interviews, then your resume or CV may need to be rewritten.

So many physicians expect to easily get an interview because they have the letters "MD" or "DO" after their names. Being a physician does not automatically ensure that you'll get an interview for a non-clinical job position. In some cases, it may even hinder your chances because you may appear over-qualified for many jobs. So, how do you effectively communicate your willingness to apply different skills to work a non-clinical job that may not require physician-level experience? You need to make sure that your resume (or cover letter) clearly indicates your intention to pursue a job that is not specifically for a physician but you also have to convince your reader why you're the ideal candidate for the job. That's probably the hardest part since so many other people are also applying for that same job. Plus, others may have more relevant work experience, so that puts you at a disadvantage if you lack that direct work experience.

So, if you're not getting anywhere with your current CV or resume, consider making an investment to get professional help.  Click here to learn about our resume services.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

First Annual BIO India International Partnering Conference

First Annual BIO India International Partnering Conference
An International Partnering Conference
September 21 - 22, 2010
Hyderabad, India
Organized by: Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Local Host: Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE)

India is the world’s most rapidly-developing biotech center

India’s biotech sector...

* is growing at a rate of 20%, with total revenues set to reach $5 billion in 2010.
* includes over 280 companies, six of whom generate revenues of over $22 million.

During the past 18 months, the world’s top biotech and pharmaceutical companies—including Abbott, Amylin, AstraZeneca, GSK, Optimer, and Pfizer—have concluded major acquisitions and licensing deals in India. These industry leaders are partnering with Indian companies to develop therapeutics and diagnostics; conduct discovery research, contract research, and clinical trials.

Learn more here: http://bioindia.bio.org

Friday, June 25, 2010

Three Ways Physicians can Take Control and Restore Their Sanity

This is a guest post by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming. If you'd like to submit a guest post, please contact me.

Why is it that so many physician conferences are littered with unhappy, frustrated, and bored faces? Are these the same people I went to school with? I remember the first day of medical school and the gleam of optimism and eagerness in my fellow classmate’s eyes. I’ll never forget that feeling; the whole campus seemed to pulse with excitement. We were committed, passionate and ready to make a difference.

Fast forward twenty years.

Where has that feeling gone? We didn’t abandon our principles - helping those in need and improving lives - so what happened?

It was the growing discontent. The frustration of working in a convoluted bureaucratic system. The grinding weight of routine, the long work hours, and the days away from family. The endless legal woes, the impersonal nature of new medicine, and the burn out.

When I first told my wife I wanted a change in direction she was startled to say the least. I told her I loved medicine but I didn't love what medicine was doing to me. So I took a "time out.” And it was the best thing I ever did. First I wrote a book, which, over time, developed into an online publishing company. I got involved in the early dot-com boom and ended up owning shares in a company that were worth less than the paper it was printed on. There were plenty of failures along the way and successes were hard fought, but I learned from my mistakes and pushed on.

Featured Physician Executive: Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D., FAPA

Each Friday, we feature a physician executive. This week's featured physician executive is Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D., FAPA.

Here's some information about Dr.  Lewis-Hall from the Pfizer website:

Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D., FAPA
Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer

Freda Lewis-Hall, M.D. is Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Pfizer Inc, the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company. As the most senior physician at Pfizer, Dr. Lewis-Hall leads medical, patient safety, regulatory affairs and quality assurance efforts throughout the company, as well as outreach to doctors and other medical professionals.

Prior to joining Pfizer, Dr. Lewis-Hall was at Vertex Pharmaceuticals where she was responsible for clinical and nonclinical development and both medical and regulatory affairs. Dr. Lewis-Hall managed a number of key functions, including regulatory affairs, clinical and nonclinical development, medical affairs and commercial development.

Dr. Lewis-Hall has diverse experience across multiple areas of the pharmaceutical industry. She has served as the Senior Vice President, U.S. Pharmaceuticals, Medical Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Prior to her position at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Lewis-Hall held leadership positions at Pharmacia Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, the National Institute of Mental Health and at the Howard University College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Lewis-Hall received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Natural Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University and her Medical Doctorate from Howard University Hospital and College of Medicine.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

2010 Greater Philadelphia/New Jersey Job Fair


The 2010 Greater Philadelphia/New Jersey Job Fair is the place to be on June 28th 2010. If you are looking for a great job that is close to your home in NJ or Pennsylvania, you simply don't want to miss this job fair.  We have a strong network of 15-20 companies who plan to attend. The jobs range from part to full-time, entry-level to executive level positions.

The 2010 Job Fair is a non-profit event sponsored by a local non-profit organization*.  There are no costs to attend the event as a potential employee or employer.  In the tough economic times we face today, it is our desire to assist those who are out of work to become gainfully employed and to help companies find the qualified candidates they are seeking.

To the job candidates, we will be offering you a great opportunity to meet with potential employers face-to-face and circumvent the long piles of resumes.  Make your best first impression in person instead of on paper!  Registration is free, but you must register in advance, so do not delay. This is your time to find the career and job that's right for you!

To the potential employers, we will also be offering free space to be used for on site job interviews and screening with potential candidates.  We only have a few spots available, so, if your company is interested in attending the event, please sign-up online today.

We look forward to meeting you on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at the job fair!

  *The 2010 Greater Philadelphia / NJ Job Fair is being sponsored by Washington Crossing United Methodist Church as a community outreach event.  Our hope is for this event to be a practical means of helping people in our community who are out of work.  The job fair will be held in the church's gymnasium and parking is free to all attendees.  See directions online.

The number of inactive physicians in the United States is growing

This is the conclusion in a journal article published last year: "The number of inactive physicians in the United States is growing." When the Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics investigated the issue of active vs. inactive physicians in the United States, they found a growing number of inactive physicians. Why? Read the abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to explore state physician licensing board policies and regulation of active, inactive, and retired licenses. METHODS: We conducted structured telephone interviews from January to March 2007 with representatives of all 64 state allopathic and osteopathic medical licensing boards in the United States. All of the licensing boards participated. RESULTS: Only 34% of state licensing boards query physicians regarding clinical activity at both initial licensure and renewal. The majority of boards allow physicians to hold or renew an unrestricted active license to practice medicine, although they may not have cared for a patient in years. Only 1 board requires a minimum number of patient visits to maintain an active license. Five boards allow physicians with inactive licenses to practice some form of medicine, whereas 7 boards allow physicians with retired licenses to practice. Few states have any mechanism to assess the competency of clinically inactive physicians who return to active practice. CONCLUSIONS: The number of inactive physicians in the United States is growing. Currently, state medical board policies do not address the issue of continuing competence in license renewal. Greater medical safety concerns on the part of the public will likely lead to calls for greater accountability by state licensing authorities.
Freed GL, Dunham KM, Abraham L; Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics. Protecting the public: state medical board licensure policies for active and inactive physicians. Pediatrics. 2009 Feb;123(2):643-52.  PMID: 1917163

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Featured Job Post: Program Officer (Clinician) - MD or RN

Program Officer (Clinician) - MD or RN

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation - Palo Alto, CA 94304-1209

We are pleased to announce a brand new search for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for a Program Officer (Clinician) position within the Betty Irene Moore Nursing Initiative. The Foundation is specifically seeking a RN or MD with strong clinical skills and with experience and knowledge of specific clinical issues, settings, and work processes for a newly created Program Officer role. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a clinical background who is interested in changing healthcare practices through a rigorous, evidence-based approach.

The Betty Irene Moore Nursing Initiative (BIMNI) has a goal of improving the quality of nursing-related patient outcomes in Northern California through a cutting-edge, data driven and inter-disciplinary approach. The Initiative is a $150 million effort over ten-plus years that seeks to accomplish its goals by working with grantees and other stakeholders to develop a larger, more highly skilled registered nurse (RN) workforce; by implementing more effective hospital practices; and by improving care transitions.

Doctors generating passive income

What if you could sit back, relax, and generate passive income by doing nothing? That sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? If you're a successful investor, then you've probably generated a significant amount of passive income by allowing others to take your investment and multiply it through their hard effort.

Another way you can generate passive income is through royalties. Here's how Wikipedia defines royalties:
Royalties (sometimes, running royalties, or private sector taxes) are usage-based payments made by one party (the "licensee") to another (the "licensor") for ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property (IP) right.
One way doctors often collect royalties is by authoring books. If you write a great book and millions of people buy your book, then you'll be generating passive income. It's a great way to earn supplemental income while you continue working as a physician. Another example is by collecting revenues generated through advertisements on your website. If you can create a website that generates a significant volume of traffic, then you'll have the means to sell advertising space and generate income. At first, it might be active income since you'll probably be working pretty hard to maintain and build your website. However, you could reach a point where you could allow someone else to maintain the site. Or, some websites will sustain themselves as people visit from search engines.

This type of passive income could also become a source of spending money once you retire. After all, who wants to work when you retire? If you start a blog now and maintain it periodically, perhaps you'll have something valuable that you can pass on to your kids. Maybe you'll leave behind a legacy that's more important than the income you'll be generating.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Featured Job Post: Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Complete Care - Las Vegas, NV 89102

The top dog position in a niche company. Oversee 3 main departments in a 25 or less employee environment. Personal injury niche in which all of the business metrics have been identified. This position requires a "people" manager with 3-5 direct reports, and a fiscal responsibility of a 3.5m dollar annual revenue size company.The three "departments", if you will, consist of CLINIC-ADMIN-MARKETING. The interaction and cause-effect relationships are transparent and managable with the "right" seasoned manager. The experience is critical but not in a medical sense but in a people-situational sense. a manager is a manager is a manager. Call Dr. Laurito 702 810-8572

Monday, June 21, 2010

Physicians Interested in Entrepreneurship & Industry

There's an event coming up in Boston titled, "Physicians Interested in Entrepreneurship & Industry."

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM (ET)
Cambridge, MA

This event is a unique opportunity to meet top physicians in industry positions and learn from your peers on how to leverage your clinical expertise into industry careers.  Connections are key to great career opportunities, and it’s never too early (or late) to network! 
  • Explore paths to full-time, part-time, and consulting careers
  • Learn from accomplished physicians how you can gain industry experience
  • Introduce yourself to like-minded physicians, health entrepreneurs and industry leaders
  • Meet recruiters that specialize in physicians at different career stages
Who Should Attend?  
Physicians at any level - medical students, residents, and practicing veterans
Stakeholders looking for a Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, or Co-Founder

Meet the Panelists!

    Agenda
    5:30 – 7:00      Welcome: arrive leisurely; enjoy complimentary appetizers and one soda/beer/wine 
    7:00 – 8:00      Panel Discussion
    8:00 – 9:30      Reception: meet the panelists and continue networking
    * Space is limited – please RSVP soon
    Follow us on Twitter (@careinnovators) for updates and discussions.  


    Location
    Royal Sonesta Hotel - 10 minute walk from the Lechmere stop.  Inexpensive parking is available at the CambridgeSide Galleria ($3.99 after 5 pm)

    To learn more and to register for this event, visit: http://careinnovators-june2010.eventbrite.com/

      Career Services from Rutgers

      Rutgers has a nice career service page that lists some helpful career resources for anyone who is currently looking for a job. You can find those resources here:

      http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/

      Here are some of my favorite links:
      I didn't go to Rutgers, but several of my colleagues (and family members) studied at Rutgers. Speaking of Rutgers, you may be interested in learning more about the Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships if you're a pharmacy student.

      "Let's Talk NonClinicalJobs" on July 11 (Sunday)

      "Let's Talk NonClinicalJobs" is a free monthly conference call for physicians, medical students, and others who wish to chat about non-clinical jobs and topics related to non-clinical careers. The call lasts roughly 60 minutes and you'll have the chance to interact with others as we discuss relevant issues.

      Our next call is scheduled for Sunday July 11th at 9 pm eastern time. You may register for that July 11th conference call by clicking here.

      Space is limited, so make sure to register and then mark your calendars so that you have a reminder.

      Sunday, June 20, 2010

      Happy Father's Day!

      To all the dads out there: Happy Father's Day!

      I hope you have a wonderful day with your family. If you've been thinking about looking for a way to spend more time with your family, maybe you need to make some changes with your work schedule. We can never turn the clock back. We can't go back in time.

      I've spoken with so many physicians who really wished they had worked less so that they could spend more time with their families. Don't look back with those types of regrets. If you're working too much, make some changes so that you have a healthier work/life balance. Your family's worth it!

      Saturday, June 19, 2010

      Join the Society of Physicians with Non-Clinical Careers (SPNCC)

      Just a friendly reminder: Make sure to join the Society of Physicians with Non-Clinical Careers (SPNCC) so that you meet other physicians who have successfully made the transition into non-clinical careers. Also, by joining the SPNCC, you'll receive monthly updates and announcements about relevant job opportunities.

      Join the SPNCC here.

      Are You Suited for a Non-Clinical Physician Job?

      This is a guest post by Ashley M. Jones. If you'd like to submit a guest post, please contact me.

      Are You Suited to a Non-Clinical Physician Job?

      It’s the way that most medical professionals who want a change in career are going – they gain a double advantage in that they don’t have to completely give up medicine and that their new job is less stressful than their old one. But switching to a non-clinical physician job is not for everyone. You may be looking for a change, you may want to work more reasonable hours, and you may want less stress on the job, but these alone are no reason to jump to a non-clinical position. You need to ensure that you’re suited to the job as well, because once you make the switch, it’s harder to get back into the regular medical stream. So do you have what it takes to make a success of your non-clinical physician job?

      Friday, June 18, 2010

      A growing interest in medical writing and the CME industry

      Last night, I attended the AMWA-DVC (American Medical Writers Association - Delaware Valley Chapter) meeting at the Radnor Hotel. The session focused around the CME industry and the panel discussion revolved around writing needs assessments for CME proposals. The panelists discussed topics like clinical gap analysis, educational needs, knowledge deficits, instructional design, and much more.

      As I spoke with several people attending the meeting, I realized that there's definitely a growing interest in the CME industry among physicians who wish to leave clinical practice. One of the "entry points" into the medical writing industry is the CME needs assessment. How do you generate a really good needs assessment? Well, it depends on the therapeutic area and the types of resources you have at your disposal.

      There are many physicians who have established successful careers as medical writers. You need to know how to start and the American Medical Writers Association is a great organization that can help you get started. To learn more about the CME industry, get involved with the Alliance for CME.

      Featured Physician Executive: Michael Rosenblatt, M.D.

      Each Friday, we feature a physician executive. This week's featured physician executive is Michael Rosenblatt, M.D.

      Here's some information about Dr. Rosenblatt from the Merck website:

      Michael Rosenblatt, M.D.
      Executive vice president and chief medical officer
      • Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Merck & Co., Inc., 2009
      • Dean, Tufts University School of Medicine, 2003-2009
      • George R. Minot Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School 1998-2003; Chief of the Division of Bone and Mineral Metabolism Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2001-2003; President, 1999-2001
      • Harvard Faculty Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Programs at CareGroup and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 1996-2000
      • Director, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 1992-1998
      • Merck Senior Vice President for Research, 1989-1992; Vice President, Biological Research and Molecular Biology, 1984-1989

      Thursday, June 17, 2010

      Pharmaceutical Executive: Emerging Pharma Leaders

      The June 2010 edition of Pharmaceutical Executive has a cover story titled, "Emerging Pharma Leaders." Do you know who these 25 up-and-coming leaders are for 2010? You can read the digital version of Pharmaceutical Executive by clicking here.  Given that the pharma industry is "in turmoil," how will these emerging leaders shape the evolving pharma industry?

      Who were the 2009 Emerging Leaders? Click here to read about 27 industry pioneers under age 45 who are bringing new ideas to life.

      Summer reading: Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

      Here's a book I'd like to recommend for those who are looking for some summer reading: Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

      Here's what the book is about:
      Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of careers in the life science industry, with all their ups and downs. The author, Toby Freedman, Ph.D., has conducted interviews with hundreds of key players in the industry, who provide first hand explanations of their day to day roles and responsibilities, and offer key insights into how they landed those jobs in the first place. Careers in everything from discovery research to venture capital are covered in detail.

      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.

      Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development is an essential guide for science graduates and medical, business, legal, high tech or engineering professionals. With discussions of job security, future trends, and potential career paths, even those already working in industry will find helpful information on how to take advantage of opportunities available within their own companies and elsewhere. This book will help you make wiser and more informed decisions about what role you would like to play in the biotechnology and drug development industry.
      You can get it here: Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

      Wednesday, June 16, 2010

      McKinsey Insight Healthcare starts today in Philadelphia

      McKinsey Insight Healthcare
      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      June 17 - 20, 2010

      Insight Healthcare is a three-day insider’s look into management consulting for MDs, medical interns, residents, fellows, PhDs, and post-docs in healthcare-related disciplines.

      This comprehensive seminar will cover a range of topics important to those who are exploring alternative career possibilities.

      The agenda will include:
      • Overview of management consulting
      • Introduction to our consultants and the work we do
      • Two-day consulting case study
      • Recreational and social activities
      Click here to learn more. If you're graduating from medical school, internship, residency, or fellowship next year, then perhaps you'll want to consider this program for 2011.

      Physician Executive Compensation

      The American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) has a nice article on physician executive compensation on their website. Here are some snippets from the 2009 Physician Executive Compensation Survey:

      According to the 2009 survey results, physician executive median compensation averages $288,000, representing a two-year increase of 11.6 percent from the 2007 survey at $258,000 and a 10-year increase of 44 percent over the median compensation reported in the 1999 survey at $200,000.

      The respondents to the 2009 Physician Executive Compensation Survey represent 57 medical specialties. Of these, eight specialties are represented by at least 50 respondents and account for 67 percent of the total respondents.

      Practice of Clinical Medicine
      Yes
      No
      Does your organization compensate you for time lost from clinical productivity?
      25%
      75%
      Do you continue to practice medicine?
      68%
      32%
      Is maintaining clinical hours a requirement of your job?
      42%
      58%

      Visit the ACPE website to read the 2009 Physician Executive Compensation Survey.

      Tuesday, June 15, 2010

      VisualCV

      How can you establish your personal brand online? You could create a website or a blog. Maybe you have your profile on LinkedIn, but is that enough? What happens if someone enters your name into an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo? Are you easy to find? Do you have a strong presence on the web?

      VisualCV.com allows professionals to create a multimedia online presence for your job search. They offer a free service and then they also have a "VisualCV Premium Account." VisualCV Premium Accounts are available for $59.95 per year.

      If you're really serious about marketing yourself online, then make sure you're on LinkedIn, create a website, or use a resource like VisualCV so that you'll stand out from among the rest. Gain a competitive advantage by leveraging the power of the Internet.  Use social media websites and show potential employers that you're comfortable with technology and that you know how to effectively use technology to promote yourself. Keep your profile updated, upload a professional photo, and stand out from the crowd!

      I Bombed the Phone Interview – Now What?

      I Bombed the Phone Interview – Now What?
      by Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC
      GetInterviews.com

      It had been one of those days. You know the kind when everything goes wrong. Murphy’s Law kicked in and just as you struggled to put out the latest fire, you received a call from a hiring manager or recruiter about a great job. The phone call is always the first interview and it is crucial. You knew that yet you were distracted and stressed.

      The employer had already reduced the candidate pool to a select group and you made that group based on your resume. That day he was calling candidates for further elimination in order to whittle the group to a smaller number for face-to-face interviews. Unfortunately, that call came right when chaos broke loose in your world and you crashed and burned. What can you do to salvage the situation?

      Monday, June 14, 2010

      I'll be at the AMWA-DVC dinner meeting this week

      Interested in medical writing? Do you wish to break into the CME industry?  Want to develop a career in medical education? 

      AMWA = American Medical Writers Association
      DVC = Delaware Valley Chapter

      If you live in the Delaware Valley, then perhaps you'll want to join me this Thursday at the AMWA-DVC dinner meeting. Here's some information about the upcoming meeting:
      Please join us for an AMWA-DVC dinner meeting on Thursday, June 17, 2010, when a panel of distinguished guests from the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education explains how they write needs assessments for CME projects, and what they look for in a good medical writer. Panelists will include representatives from a local medical school, a medical specialty society, a private medical education company, a state medical society, a pharmaceutical company, and a hospital/health system.

      Medical writers assigned to write needs assessments today sometimes feel as if they’re aiming at a moving target. Many providers are changing the way they identify needs in response to pressure from grant makers and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Moreover, recent reductions in commercial funding for CME, attrition among accredited providers, and revised accreditation criteria, all make it essential for medical writers to hone their skills. The panelists will give short presentations on their organizations, and then take questions from the audience.

      A networking session and cocktail hour will be followed by dinner.
      To learn more and to register on the AMWA-DVC website, click here.

      15% of physicians move each year

      According to SK&A’s report titled, “Physicians on the Move," approximately 15% of physicians move each year.  Here's a snippet from the press release:

      IRVINE, CA - June 8, 2010 - SK&A, A Cegedim Company, today released an update of its “Physicians on the Move” report, which reveals the rate of change of office-based physicians by practice specialty. According to the report, the three-year average of physicians who moved to a new location or practice, retired, or passed away was 15.2 percent. Such changes create obstacles in maintaining quality physician-targeting databases and lists necessary to execute high-performing sales, marketing and market research initiatives.

      The move rate of physicians has declined steadily in the three years that SK&A has been producing the report, indicating recent stability among the specialties surveyed. It has gone from 18.2 percent in the 2008 reporting period to 15 percent in 2009 to 12.4 percent in the 2010 period. Allergists / immunologists, pulmonary critical care and internal medicine / pediatrics were the top three practice areas for the most stable physicians, with annual change rates of only 7, 7.1 and 7.9 percent, respectively. Hepatologists, hematologists and osteopathic physicians were among the most volatile doctors, with change rates of 19.9, 19.4 and 19.2 percent, respectively.

      Sunday, June 13, 2010

      Connect with recruiters on TheLadders

      TheLadders.com

      TheLadders.com has a featured called "Follow Recruiter." How does it work?
      Whenever you find a recruiter on TheLadders.com with jobs that interest you, click "Follow" underneath their profile. Then, every time that recruiter has a new job or update, you'll be the first to hear about it – direct to your e-mail inbox.

      A Better Way To Search for $100,000+ Jobs. Join TheLadders.com!
      And if it turns out that you are no longer interested in that particular recruiter, just click "Stop Following," and the updates will cease.
      This "Follow Recruiter" feature makes it a lot easier to keep up with the recruiters that have the jobs you're interested in. Trying to track down jobs by keyword or city doesn't always give the best results for your job search, and this tool lets you get job information based on the person doing the hiring, rather than the words or attributes of the job itself  Search Jobs That Pay Over $100,000

      Resources for disabled physicians, pharmacists, and nurses

      Do you know any disabled healthcare professionals? If you do, please refer them to a growing network of clinicians who are building a community to provide support for one another. The following URLs speak for themselves:

      http://www.DisabledHealthProfessionals.org/
      http://www.DisabledPhysicians.org/
      http://www.DisabledPharmacists.org/
      http://www.DisabledNurses.org/

      The Society of Disabled Healthcare Professionals includes the following groups:
      Disability does not have to stop healthcare professionals from working. There are many types of non-clinical jobs that may be suitable and that still relate to health care or medical science.

      Saturday, June 12, 2010

      Physicians who have a blended career (clinical and non-clinical)

      Lately, I've been speaking with many physicians who are creating blended careers. They are working in the clinical setting part-time. They're also working a non-clinical job (or two) part-time. In some cases, they are either consulting or working as independent contractors on different projects and setting their own schedules based on the workload. They continue to see patients a few days each week (or each month), so they get to maintain a clinical career while they pursue non-clinical opportunities.

      Medical specialties that allow you to work shifts allow you to create these types of blended careers. What are these specialties? Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Pediatrics (you can work as a hospitalist or you can work in an ER).

      So, what's right for you? If you're feeling burned out from clinical medicine, maybe you need to take a break where you can still maintain some clinical responsibilities.

      Friday, June 11, 2010

      Featured Physician Executive: Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge

      Each week, we feature a physician executive. This week's featured physician executive is Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge.

      Geoffrey Rutledge, MD, PhD, is the chief medical officer and executive vice president of product development, Epocrates. According to his LinkedIn profile, he's also worked at Wellsphere, Inc, First Consulting Group, WebMD, and Healtheon. Dr. Rutledge got his MD from McGill University and his PhD from Stanford University. You can view his LinkedIn Profile here: http://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreyrutledge

      Thursday, June 10, 2010

      Medical/Scientific Director for a CME Company in Newtown, PA

      Position:

      This is a full-time opportunity within a medical education company that exclusively develops certified medical education (CME, CPE, CNE accredited) activities. This is an office-based position with minimal travel requirements. Unfortunately, telecommuting is not an option.

      We are seeking an MD/DO, PharmD, or PhD to provide oversight and direction for certified medical education activities. This professional will provide scientific leadership for and oversee medical editors/writers who are working on CME needs assessments, content development, and outcomes research.

      Responsibilities:

      • Provide strategic direction and development of medical content in a variety of therapeutic areas, especially in oncology.
      • Oversee the development of educational needs assessments.
      • Oversee the development of slide presentations, print publications, computer-based educational activities, and other types of educational activities.
      • Oversee the development, implementation, and analysis of outcomes assessment strategies.
      • Ensure that all documents and medical content deliverables are accurate, evidence-based, and in full compliance with all ACCME, FDA, OIG requirements.

      To qualify you should possess at least 3-5 years of experience in the planning and development of CME activities as a Medical/Scientific Director, hold an MD/DO, PharmD, or PhD, and be able to evaluate educational content across a wide range of medical specialty areas. Strong oncology experience is preferred. Expertise in current ACCME, OIG, and FDA guidelines is essential.

      Interested individuals should send a CV and salary requirements to: 
      jkim [at] medcommedia.com

      Medical Director salary ranges

      What is the average salary of a "Medical Director?" The next question should be, "what type of medical director?" What industry are we referring to?

      Medical directors in one industry may have an annual salary of $130k while medical directors in a different industry may average over $300k per year. That's quite a difference, isn't it?

      Where do medical directors make less? Generally in industries such as non-profit organizations, medical education/publishing companies, government organizations, smaller companies, etc.

      Where do medical directors make more? Managed care organizations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, consulting firms, hospital settings, etc. Click here to view managed care medical director salary survey results from the December 2009 Managed Care Magazine (Source: Cejka Search, 2009 Physician Executive Compensation Survey)

      So, what is the salary range for a medical director? There's actually an active discussion in the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) group on LinkedIn where one physician asked, "What resources would you suggest that are accessible (meaning free) that can be used to benchmark appropriate salary levels for a medical director?"

      Wednesday, June 9, 2010

      Part-Time Residency in Family Medicine

      Need some flexibility as you go through residency? Can't afford to work 80 hours each week? If you're planning on going into Family Medicine, then perhaps you'll apply for the part-time residency option. Residency doesn't have to be based on a grueling 80-hr-week experience. The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) has a section on their website that describes the "Part-Time Residency in Family Medicine" option for those who may be interested. Click here to learn more about this option.

      Certificate Programs in Pharmaceutical Management

      Here's a question I got this week: "Does it make sense to pursue Certificate Programs in Pharmaceutical Management?"

      It really depends on why you're pursuing a certificate program. Do you simply need the skills and the knowledge to grow in this area? Or, are you trying to strengthen your resume so that you can gain a competitive advantage. An MBA in Pharmaceutical Management might be ideal, but perhaps you don't have the time or money to invest in an MBA.

      What can you expect from one of these certificate programs? Let's take a look at an upcoming program at Rutgers in New Jersey:

      2010 Program in Pharmaceutical Management
      July 15, 2010 to July 16, 2010
      8:30am-5pm, Rutgers Business School-Newark, 1 Washington Park, Newark, NJ 07102

      Target Audience:
      Executives in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries and registered pharmacists

      Rutgers Business School’s Blanche and Irwin Lerner Center for Pharmaceutical Management Program offers A Two Day Certificate Program in Pharmaceutical Management. This Program provides a framework for understanding the structure and competitive profile of the industry, and includes a review of key regulatory issues, applicable patent law, drug pricing and reimbursement including the design of prescription drug benefit plans, DTC advertising, mergers and acquisitions, public policy initiatives, and financial evaluation.

      So, what do you think? Would you benefit from learning about some of these issues so that you have a better understanding of the pharmaceutical industry? Maybe it could be a valuable networking opportunity. There are many reasons why you may want to consider attending a certificate program, but if you're seriously trying to bolster your resume, then I'd encourage you to make the investment and apply to business school if you're unable to gain working experience in this industry.

      Tuesday, June 8, 2010

      Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society

      Have you heard of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society? One physician registered on Sermo asked this question: "Why isn't Hyperbaric Medicine a recognized specialty on SERMO?"
      Although I practice as a primary care internist, I am a former nuclear trained U. S. Navy Medical Officer who was qualified in Submarine and Diving Medicine .

      I am a member of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society and my practice has included treatment of decompression sickness in divers, supervision of hypberbaric oxygen therapy and physical examinations to determine medical qualification for U. S. Submarine Service and fitness to dive .

      I am interested in hyperbaric medicine, but can not choose it as a secondary specialty or a special interest in a SERMO profile.
      The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society is not your "typical"  medical society. In fact, it may be considered non-traditional by many physicians. If you're a medical student and you're thinking about an alternative medical career, perhaps you should research careers in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.  Learn more here: http://www.uhms.org/

      Monday, June 7, 2010

      Information about AMWA’s 70th Annual Conference

      Got this e-mail the other day about the upcoming AMWA conference:
      You can now read the complete details for each of the 40 exciting open sessions that will be conducted in Milwaukee at the American Medical Writers Association’s 70th Annual Conference. All open sessions are included in the registration fee. Complete open session details are now available on our Web site. There is no limit on the number of open sessions registrants may attend.

      The 2010 Conference Workshops information is also posted on our Web site for your review; 94 workshops will be offered at the annual conference. AMWA is pleased to announce that 16 new workshops will be presented for the first time in Milwaukee!

      Workshops fill up early, so start planning your list of the workshops you need for an AMWA certificate or for your continued education. The conference registration brochure will be posted in early July. We look forward to seeing you in the great city of Milwaukee for AMWA’s 70th Annual Conference!
      If you're thinking about a career in medical writing, get involved with AMWA. Attend their national conference and participate in local chapter meetings.

      Health IT expansion to create "tens of thousands" of jobs

      Looking for a non-clinical job? Maybe it's time to pursue something in the health information technology industry. After all, Healthcare IT News is reporting that the health IT expansion will create thousands of new jobs in this country. You can thank President Obama for ARRA and HITECH.

      So, will these jobs primarily be related to implementation, integration, etc? Will there be physician jobs as well? Or will most of these jobs be geared for nurses and non-clinicians? I've seen a trend where major health IT vendors are hiring physicians as members of a sales force. Physicians like to learn about things from other physicians. So, it makes sense that doctors are more likely to be open and receptive about electronic health records if they're hearing it from another doctor. So, if you don't mind traveling, then perhaps you'll enjoy working in health IT in the world of sales.

      Friday, June 4, 2010

      Establishing and Maintaining Leader Behavior

      If you'd like to read a great article on leadership, then I encourage you to read this article titled, "Establishing and Maintaining Leader Behavior." This article is written by Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC.

      Leadership is an essential trait in the corporate setting. You must know how to lead teams, interact with colleagues, motivate employees, and accomplish tasks. Being a physician doesn't automatically give you authority when you're in the business world. In the hospital, you can write orders and you can command the team. Workplace dynamics can be very different when you're in a company. In the hospital, you're writing orders that get carried out by nurses. In the corporate setting, your boss might be a former nurse, telling you what to do.

      Speaking of leadership, this isn't something that's generally taught in medical school. Leadership is a big emphasis in business school programs, but graduating with an MBA does not guarantee that you're a good leader. Remember that leadership is not synonymous with management in the business world. You might be an effective manager, but you may not be a good leader. If you're interested in the topic of leadership, I encourage you to listen to some iTunes business podcasts from schools like Stanford, Duke, and Yale. They have some great business podcasts that focus on executive leadership.

      Featured physician executive: Dr. Harry Greenspun

      Each week, I feature a physician executive. This week's featured physician executive is Dr. Harry Greenspun. He's on Twitter (@HarryGreenspun) and Facebook.

      Harry Greenspun, M.D., is the chief medical officer of the Dell Perot Systems healthcare group, providing strategic leadership with a clinical perspective. He has held a diverse range of clinical and executive roles across the healthcare industry, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced in health IT. Dr. Greenspun has also been named one of the Top 10 Healthcare IT Game Changers to Watch by ExecutiveBiz.com.

      Over the course of his career, Dr. Greenspun has held many key roles in implementing company- and industry-wide policy. Prior to working for Dell Perot Systems, he served as chief medical officer for Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he provided subject matter expertise, thought leadership, and strategic direction for the company. More than a decade ago, Dr. Greenspun founded a company that tracked clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery, which later became the healthcare practice of an open source software company. 

      He's been nominated for Modern Healthcare's "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare" and you can vote for him here: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/section/100mp

      Thursday, June 3, 2010

      Resumes & Cover Letters

      CareerBuilder has some nice career advice articles about Resumes and Cover Letters. You'll find articles like:
      • How Long Should Your Résumé Be?
      • 13 Most Overused Résumé Phrases
      • 10 Ways to Write a Stronger Résumé
      • 25 Words That Can Hurt Your Résumé
      To access these articles, visit this CareerBuilder link.

      Finally, don't forget that you can receive a free resume review from our partners who provide professional resume writing services. Click here to learn more.

      Hot Careers for College Graduates: 2010

      UC San Diego Extension has published a report titled, "Hot Careers for College Graduates: 2010." At the top of the list, you'll see Health Information Technology. Not a surprise given the HITECH Act. Some other hot jobs include:
      • Clinical Trials Design and Management for Oncology
      • Feature Writing for the Web
      • Geriatric Health Care
      • Mobile Media
      • Occupational Health and Safety
      • Teaching Adult Learners
      • Health Law
      To read the complete report, click here (PDF).

      Wednesday, June 2, 2010

      Thanks for joining us for "Let's Talk NonClinicalJobs"

      Last night, we had our monthly conference call titled, "Let's Talk NonClinicaljobs." I always enjoy interacting with my readers and I look forward to our next call which is scheduled for Sunday July 11th at 9 pm eastern time. You may register for that July 11th conference call by clicking here.

      "Let's Talk NonClinicalJobs" is a free monthly conference call for physicians, medical students, and others who wish to chat about non-clinical job opportunities. The call will last approximately 60 minutes and it will be an opportunity for us to discuss topics related to the career transition process. I hope you'll join us.

      Government public health opportunities because of ARRA

      Looking for a public health job? You can find some here on the NonClinicalJobs.com Job Board.

      Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) is an initiative developed by the HHS. It's a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or ARRA. The goal of the HHS initiative – Communities Putting Prevention to Work – is to reduce risk factors and prevent/delay chronic disease and promote wellness in both children and adults. The initiative was launched by HHS in a press briefing held on September 17, 2009.

      $372.8 million, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has been awarded nationally to 44 communities, including cities, states, towns, and tribes. $120 million will support States and Territories in promoting wellness and preventing chronic disease through state-wide policy and environmental change for chronic disease prevention and to increase tobacco cessation through expanded quit lines and tobacco cessation media. $32.5 million will support state chronic disease self-management programs.

      If you're thinking about a career in public health, get involved with your local public health organization as they leverage these stimulus funds to develop a robust CPPW initiative that focuses on wellness and disease prevention. Click here to view a list of grantees by state.

      In the Philadelphia area, you may want to get to know Giridhar Mallya, MD, MSHP, Director of Policy and Planning, Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Project Director for CPPW.

      Dr. Mallya will be giving a talk titled, "Creating Healthy Communities: Tobacco Use, Nutrition, and Physical Activity"

      Wednesday June 16, 2010 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)

      The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
      19 South 22nd Street
      Philadelphia, PA 19103

      You can learn about Dr. Mallya's upcoming lecture here.

      Tuesday, June 1, 2010

      Health IT consultants in growing demand

      There's a growing need for health information technology experts and consultants who can work with hospitals, physician offices, and other health care organizations that are trying to achieve "meaningful use" as defined by the HITECH Act.  According to a KLAS report titled, "Shifting Demand for Consultants: Who's Hot, Who's Not, and Why," nearly 70 percent of the 118 healthcare providers interviewed expect to hire a professional services firm to help with the demands of achieving meaningful use.

      Here are some of the top health IT consulting firms mentioned in that report:
      • CSC
      • Vitalize
      • Dell Perot
      Other firms highlighted in the KLAS report include Accenture, ACS, Beacon Partners, Dearborn Advisors, Deloitte, IBM, maxIT Healthcare, and Navin, Haffty & Associates (NHA).

      Read the story on HealthCareITNews (which is published in partnership with HIMSS).

      Burnout and Suicidal Ideation among Medical Students

      A recent article in the Annals of Internal Medicine focuses on the question of burnout and suicidal ideation among United States medical students. How prevalent is suicidal ideation among medical students? We all know that students, residents, and attendings experience burnout. So these authors looked at 7 different medical schools from 2006 to 2007 and found that:
      • Burnout was reported by 49.6% (95% CI, 47.5% to 51.8%) of students, and 11.2% (CI, 9.9% to 12.6%) reported suicidal ideation within the past year. 
      • Recovery from burnout was associated with markedly less suicidal ideation, which suggests that recovery from burnout decreased suicide risk. 
      What does this tell us about our existing medical school system? What can we do to ensure that students, residents, and physicians who are experiencing burnout are getting the proper help they need? You can access the abstract here.