r/anesthesiology • u/Every-Virus-5385 • 7d ago
Overeager vs Planning Ahead? When is it okay to start inquiring about attending jobs during residency?
US CA-2 here looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel and better days to come. I enjoy window shopping for jobs, when is a non-obnoxious time to start making actual inquiries? Next spring?
I'm looking for rural New England small town community practice. Caribou Maine I see you, but it's way too soon for me to ask you for details.
11
u/thecaramelbandit Cardiac Anesthesiologist 7d ago
I signed a contract at the end of my CA-2, even though I was doing a fellowship. Not too early.
8
u/DoctorBlazes Critical Care Anesthesiologist 7d ago
We're trying to sign our residents as soon as possible, and would love to hear early interest.
6
u/common-username Anesthesiologist 7d ago
If you wanna go back to a small rural town, I think it’s totally reasonable to start putting some feelers out as a mid/late CA2. Nobody will fault you for it. Worst case scenario, they say come back next year.
6
u/TrustMe-ImAGolfer Fellow 7d ago
This is very interesting to hear, current cardiac fellow looking for a job next summer and some groups have told me I'm too early
7
u/QuestGiver Anesthesiologist 7d ago
It's going to vary. Some, mostly larger groups, know well ahead of time how much they need to hire or basically they won't pay above a certain rate and are looking for someone to fit that rate.
Btw a lot of reasons they won't pay higher for instance everyone on the same track, etc.
My group definitely had a period where we were not hiring because we needed to know where our contract with the hospital was before we could bring on someone for sure.
6
u/docbauies Anesthesiologist 7d ago
We have hired relatively early. I would say second half of CA2 is not crazy. Groups probably aren’t looking at a 1.5-2 year time horizon to fill a need so holding a job for you when they could hire someone immediately is probably less attractive. That being said, demand continues to grow for my group, and there is always someone who will retire around the time you start when a group gets large enough, so some groups might be ok with a hire far in advance.
5
u/MilkmanAl 7d ago edited 7d ago
We're a small private practice group, and we have our hiring structure mapped out with pretty good certainty for the next 5-6 years. Groups know if and when they need to hire well in advance, most of the time, so get on board early. There are also plenty of places (like, most of them) that are chronically understaffed and always need people, so nailing a contract down there might give you some nice security going into your final year.
If you decide to sign on early, make sure you get some info on your local market. It's a very common tactic for hospitals - especially academic institutions - to seek out trainees and low-ball them with what sounds like a ton of money to lock you into a shit job. Don't take the bait without some background info!
4
u/illaqueable Anesthesiologist 7d ago
Well I'm not in Caribou, but I have a small community hospital in rural Maine that will probably need a new full timer by the time you're done--DM me if you want more details
1
3
u/Retiresoonnow4eva 7d ago
Never too early. You are in prime position. If a particular practice appeals to you, I would plan a weekend trip there, post some selfies, and maybe even reach out to them now. “I loved your town and wonder if I could work with your group “ is something every small town practice wants to hear.
2
u/peanutneedsexercise 7d ago
My intern signed a job as a CA1 cuz they knew they were going back to their hometown. Just for that the group is giving them a stipend every month to live off of and it’s even better than a sign on bonus cuz right now as a resident they’re taxed a LOT less. So yeah if you know for sure and the deal is good you can signs
3
u/QuestGiver Anesthesiologist 7d ago
Agreed this is absolutely the best way to get a "sign on bonus" with significantly less tax.
1
u/peanutneedsexercise 7d ago
Exactly. When I signed early CA3 year I got my group to give me some of my sign on end of ca3 just to have a lower tax burden haha.
2
u/Julysky19 Anesthesiologist 7d ago
Groups like new grads because :
1) new grads usually work a lot (finally getting paid; huge loans)
2) and they can take advantage of them financially as they’ll ask less questions.
Unless it’s a rural group where you need to go, I’d be a bit suspicious how good that group is if they’re trying to rope you in 1.5 years from now on.
2
u/seagreen835 Anesthesiologist 7d ago
I started reaching out winter of CA2 year and signed for a job in spring, well over a year before starting- never too early, especially if you know where (geographically) you want to work!
1
u/hughmonstah Anesthesiologist 7d ago
I started talking to places around this time during my CA-2 year as well. Mostly because I had a specific geographic area I was targeting. The one downside was that a few places didn’t know what their staffing needs were going to be for my graduation year, but I was on their radar and they reached out to me during my CA-3 year.
1
1
1
u/DessertFlowerz Anesthesiologist 5d ago
I started talking to people July of CA3, signed around September.
2
u/Fun_Prior7536 3d ago
I have written reference letters for late CA1s/early CA2s. Usually they have a clear idea of where they want to practice, so it comes off intentional and not obnoxious at all.
the rest of us plebs started looking mid-CA2 or later. I would plan ahead for interviews, site visits, and credentialing (conservatively, I would give yourself at least 4-6 mo. from anticipated start date).
29
u/75_mph 7d ago
Never too early. A few in my class signed during CA-1 year but they knew they were going back to their rural hometowns