Meanwhile, your current employer will need time to move your replacement through the same process. “Some hospitals are slower than others,” Dr. Harris says, “but even if I have a hospitalist in mind who’s available to start right away, they won’t be able to step in until the hospital’s credentialing is complete.”
—Heather A. Harris, MD, former director of Eden Inpatient Services, Eden Medical Center
Speak Up
When you decide to leave a job, tell your immediate supervisor directly and be open about your job search. “Ideally, the person who is leaving would sit down with me and tell me their intention to leave, where they intend to go, and the circumstances of their leaving,” Dr. McCurdy says. “I don’t want to hear about it third hand or through the grapevine, and I don’t want to find out that it’s some sort of negotiating tactic.”
If you want a new job because you’re unhappy with the one you have, consider whether the issues causing your discontent can be rectified. Dr. McCurdy says he would make every effort to keep a hospitalist in his group. “Obviously, there are some things I can’t help with,” he says. “I can’t change the weather, I can’t change the school systems, but I might be able to help with work issues.”
Build Bridges, Don’t Burn Them
It should go without saying that once you officially give notice, you should make every effort to maintain good relations with your employer and colleagues, by continuing to do your job well and remaining an active, positive member of your group, Dr. Harris says. This is particularly important if you stay in the same geographic area.
“There is a lot of fluidity in hospital medicine; people move from place to place,” she says. “It’s a small community and people know each other.”
If you feel comfortable doing so, offer to help your old employer find your replacement. Dr. McCurdy asks departing physicians for this favor. “I’d ask if they know someone who would be a good fit here,” he says. “The hospitalist community is small and pretty cohesive, so they may know someone.” Helping fill your position is a great way to stay connected and to show your good will toward the group.
If your employer asks you to stay a few weeks longer than you planned, consider whether you can jockey your upcoming start date to accommodate the request—but not at the price of being unhappy or risking your new job. “I might try to get someone to stay on a bit longer, but I’m not going to twist their arm if they aren’t interested,” Dr. McCurdy says. “It’s better to be without a physician than to have a disgruntled one.”
When you decide to move on to a new job, remember that you have a long career ahead of you. Be thoughtful and professional about how and when you leave. This small consideration can help maintain your reputation and connections for years to come. TH
Jane Jerrard also writes “Public Policy” for The Hospitalist.