Whether it's your first job after completing your training or you're at a later stage in your career, finding a medical physician vacancy is a tentative process. If you plan to remain in your role and develop your skills, it's time to recognise that a little research goes a long way. Focusing on certain job characteristics increases your chances of enjoying a fulfilling career.
Make sure your medical physician vacancy is in a specialty you love
Upon entering the world of medicine most people have a rough idea of where they want their career to take them. If you have specific goals, narrow your prospective job applications down to those that push you towards them. Doing so may sometimes mean focusing on more than just a specialty in its entirety. Instead, you may want to focus on environments that have a particularly strong reputation in certain research and service delivery areas. As a result, you give yourself a stronger chance of reaching the top of your field.
Opt for a work-life balance that promotes personal development
Working as a physician is sometimes all-encompassing, which means you should seek out relaxation opportunities wherever possible. Finding said opportunities is especially important when aspects of your home life need a lot of attention, such as being a parent. Before applying for a medical physician vacancy, look into whether the job provides a reasonable work-life balance. How you achieve that balance is often subjective, but can depend on commute times and night shift requirements.
Ensure your employer provides an adequate support system
Most medical fields will present emotional challenges, but some have the potential to cause sadness more than others. Aside from inquiring about potential healthcare packages, ask your employer about in-house counselling services, indemnity and defence union access. Although you'll ideally never have to use such provisions, having them to hand can make certain situations less stressful.
Consider the need for protected study hours
If you envisage becoming a consultant you'll already know that professional development is a necessity. Some employers will make your journey easier through protected study hours. If the job advert doesn't specify their availability, contact the recruiting manager to ask about them.
Prior to applying for a medical physician vacancy, it's wise to make a list of what you need and what you cannot do. As you sift through the jobs available to you, the list you create will help you narrow your choices and push you towards a fulfilling lifelong career.
