Exploring industry trends, workforce shortages, and the evolving role of locum tenens providers in modern healthcare. Healthcare staffing is undergoing a major transformation. With physician shortages, rising burnout rates, and an evolving job market, more providers and healthcare facilities are turning to locum tenens as a sustainable solution. This temporary physician staffing model offers benefits for clinicians […]

As the holiday season approaches, healthcare facilities across the country face a familiar challenge: ensuring continuous patient care while accommodating the well-deserved time off of their permanent staff. For physicians, this creates an excellent opportunity to step into temporary locum tenens roles that not only support healthcare systems during a critical time, but also offer […]

As a physician recruitment firm, we here at Pacific Companies have established the most frequently asked questions from our permanent providers. While every provider is looking for different opportunities and has varying priorities for themselves, their career, and their familial goals, they tend to ask the same questions. In this blog, we will provide an […]

Physician employment contracts are the cornerstone of your professional journey, outlining the terms, conditions, and expectations of your role. Whether you’re recently trained stepping into your first job or an experienced physician seeking a change, understanding the details of your employment agreement is crucial for ensuring both career satisfaction and financial stability. This guide provides […]

In celebration of the 2024 National Women’s History Month theme, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” it’s essential to recognize the significant strides made by women in the field of medicine. The late 1800s saw a remarkable surge in the establishment of medical schools, providing increased access to medical education for women. By […]

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s not only relevant but essential for our success as physician recruiters: building a personal brand. In the competitive landscape of physician recruiting, standing out is key. Your personal brand is what sets you apart from the crowd, it’s your unique voice, expertise, and reputation in the industry. Here’s […]

The Physician Shortage and Physician Burnout The United States is currently facing a significant physician shortage attributed to various factors, including an increasing demand for healthcare services, an aging population requiring more medical attention, and a limited supply of new physicians entering the workforce. Moreover, the existing pool of physicians is further strained by overwork […]

Of all the things that they forget to teach you in medical training, marketing is certainly one of them. More and more patients are turning to online sources to find a physician. They may look at your website, but they are also likely consulting online reviews and listings as well. Branding is more important than […]

New physicians just coming out of training have a large variety of different practice options to choose from. It can be very daunting for residents and fellows to figure out what setting is the best choice for them and their new career. Over the past 17 years, we at Pacific Companies have had the pleasure […]

New physicians just coming out of training have a large variety of different practice options to choose from. It can be very daunting for residents and fellows to figure out what setting is the best choice for them and their new career. Over the past 17 years, we at Pacific Companies have had the pleasure […]

There’s just something about recruiting to a small town that I absolutely enjoy. Often we’ll travel into an international airport, in a major city, and drive hours to our final destination. The city lights start to fade in the distance as you begin your decent into the great unknown. When Google doesn’t provide any answers, […]

Advances in technology like Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (or some call EMRs) have changed the way the healthcare industry operates. In the years before EHRs, medical records were 100% paper-based documents. Although paper record-keeping is simple, widely accepted, and only requires a low cost for implementation, healthcare can be improved by the use of electronic […]

Having a physician vacancy is no longer a viable option for healthcare organizations, yet many find themselves facing gaps in coverage and are paying the price. Turnover is an inevitable occurrence in the healthcare industry. At some point, all practices will lose a provider, affecting many aspects of the business including the patient base that your […]

“How Not to Die” is certainly a provocative title. On the other hand, it makes a great eye-catcher and it certainly worked to grab my attention. In How Not to Die,Dr. Michael Greger discusses the state of current research on fifteen top causes of premature death in the U.S. and explains how changes in diet and lifestyle, namely […]

  There are a number of items that will make credentialing go much smoother, whether you are planning on going on a locum’s assignment or taking a permanent position. Take a look at the list below and brush up your documents folder before you apply next time for a smoother process for everyone: DEA for […]

Can you believe it? You are almost there.  If you are a 2020 resident or fellow, all those years of training, sacrifice, 12+ hours days and sleepless nights are (hopefully for some of you) coming to an end! Now you face the next challenge in your professional life…. finding the right job. In todays, physician recruitment […]

  As a doctor who is eager to embark on a locum tenens assignment or help patients, you likely don’t want to get bogged down in the time and red tape of medical licensure. Working in a new state will require more than just updating your CV and packing your suitcase. If you are interested […]

We were recently asked by a physician about what is a “community/practice profile” and why do we do this at Pacific Comapnies. The conducting of a community/practice profile is perhaps the single most important ingredient to our success as permanent physician recruiters.  We track our performance with each placement we make and year after year […]

I am frequently asked by physicians, administrators and my colleagues on what is the best way to quantify the need for an additional physician. There is not a one size fits all when trying to determine the need for bringing on another physician. Many factors need to be considered and I will discuss a few […]

  We were recently asked by a physician why recruiters generally don’t disclose the location of the jobs they represent. While I cannot speak for other recruiters I have worked for other recruiting firms in the past and I suspect the reasons are similar from one firm to the next. There are 3 or 4 […]

The Pacific Companies Doc Lounge Podcast Pacific Companies hosts several new podcasts with healthcare providers and executives every month. Pacific Companies is no stranger to the healthcare industry. With over 20 years as one of the nation’s top physician recruitment firms, they are using their influence to connect with leaders and innovators to bring awareness […]

  As a society we’re pretty removed from death. We don’t really talk about it. Yet when medical students start their training, it suddenly becomes something they’re intimately acquainted with. So how are doctors taught to deal with death?  There are volumes written about the ways that doctors cope with death. It is a deeply […]

  Medical waste is a type of waste that is generated by healthcare facilities such as dentist offices, hospitals, veterinary clinics, medical research labs and blood banks. Every facility’s staff has its own answers. Practices differ, and state regulations do too. Even the definition of medical waste invites interpretation.Every day, a relatively large amount of […]

  In this day and age, many of us start with an online search when we get sick. Dr. Google becomes our go-to when it comes to figuring out what is wrong. We asked some physicians to share what their take on Dr. Google was and here is what they had to say….. Nicole Van […]

  In an environment that continually asks physicians to know more, do more and be more, is it really possible to practice good medicine and still have something left at the end of the day to be a mother, father, wife, husband, partner, son, daughter or friend? Recently, we decided to give our time-management experts […]

  Did you know that over the past couple of years, the healthcare industry’s presence on LinkedIn has been increasing at a rapid rate?  In fact, at the end of 2018, LinkedIn recorded over 5.0 million healthcare professionals using the platform – a 30% increase from the year before!  Given this upward trend, it’s clear […]

Is medicine going to the dogs? Yes, but  in a good way. Pet therapy is gaining fans in health care and beyond. Find out what’s behind this growing trend. If you’ve ever owned a dog, you already know how much love and affection they can bring. But did you know that dogs also come with […]

  After extended leaves, doctors must convince medical boards to reissue their licenses, hospitals to grant admitting privileges and malpractice insurers to provide coverage. Only a handful of programs around the country are set up to help physicians brush up on their skills, and they can cost doctors thousands of dollars. Medical schools seem to […]

  Over the past 15 years, I have married, had four children— all while getting through medical school, doing my residency, and launching my own private practice. Today, I realize that as a working mom, you’re never quite sure that you’re doing the right things, using the right tactics and tricks to get through the […]

  Is it true that we have, or are likely to have in the imminent future, a shortage of medical doctors? For several years now, healthcare industry thought leaders have been telling us that there was a looming physician shortage on the horizon. Anything that changes the number of available physicians or the demand for […]

  Why is organizational culture important, you ask? Organizational culture is hugely important to the success and overall health of your company, your people, and your customers. So it’s helpful to spend time considering why your company’s culture is the way it is, and why it’s important that it stays that way (or changes).  A […]

  In evaluating surgical practices, the goal should be that when you accept a position, you have a thorough understanding of how quickly your clinic and surgical practice will build, and the types of cases you should expect.  In your investigation, you will need to determine how many full-time equivalent (FTE) surgeons are in the […]

You’ve likely heard the old joke applied when our elders remind us how easy we (or rather you) now have it and how difficult it was way back then.  The joke goes something like this – I used to walk 5 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways.  It’s easy for me to […]

We understand taking your kids to see their doctor may be a pain. So is taking your car into the mechanic, waiting for the cable guy or going out for groceries. There are other things you’d rather be doing with your time. Can a quick phone call substitute for a doctor visit? Americans make 1.2 […]

After graduating medical school and hustling through residency, or finishing up a fellowship, the anticipation to start working your dream job is building. While this day may seem far off, it’s never too early to plan your career strategy. Each year, thousands of residents in their final year of residency have the daunting task of […]

  To Pacific Companies, an influential leader is someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to create positive change.  They are passionate, committed, selfless and trustworthy influencers that have a profound impact on an industry, organization or a cause. When it comes to Healthcare, these leaders are the ones who have a […]

Whether you are a newly trained physician eager to find a private practice to join or own a private practice and are thinking about bringing on a partner we hope to provide some things you’ll want to consider. Let’s first address the physician who is evaluating a private practice option.  Contrary to popular belief private practice […]

  Regardless of whether you are thinking about changing practices or beginning your practice career out of training you are going to need case logs.  Hospitals and private practices will require a number of items during the credentialing process.  Most of these required documents are straight forward and easy for a physician to obtain. One […]

  As a newly minted doctor, you’re most likely asking yourself many questions about your pending physician career path, where you want to work, the practice setting that’s right for you, the type of work/life balance that best suits your personality. Often, one of those questions is something similar to “Should I join or start […]

Left-handed people, who account for roughly 10 percent of the world’s population, experience distinct challenges, benefits, and quirks of daily life that most right-handed people usually never even consider. Over the years, there have been plenty of myths and theories — both good and bad — about what it’s like to be a lefty in […]

  In the words of the English band The Clash… “Should I stay, or should I go now?” The New Year nearly always brings thoughts of finding a new job or creating a new challenge or opportunity.If you made a big, career-related New Year’s resolution this year, we’re betting it’s one of three things: finding […]

  Just because a physician completed their training, and became board certified, does not mean they stop training. It’s just the beginning of lifelong professional learning, where every day brings the physician another patient, or procedure to constantly apply and refine their skills. Annual CME conferences led by cutting edge physicians, allow you to benefit in […]

How are prospective physicians searching for their next career opportunity? Most likely by their specialty area. Some specialty and subspecialty positions are hard to fill with many health systems competing to find top talent. So, what’s the most effective way to engage doctors? No matter what specialty you are recruiting, if you dedicate time to build […]

As I continue to meet with Executives and In-House Recruiters to discuss strategic planning and current recruitment needs, one of the questions I always ask is, “How are you currently recruiting”? I am frequently told that they have been working with some contingency firms without much success. This is understandable as a contingent recruitment model […]

    “Dentophobia”- It can be known as dental fear, dental anxiety, dentist phobia, odontophobia, or dentophobia. They all mean the same thing: an intense fear of visiting the dentist for dental care. Think Sir Laurence Olivier in The Marathon Man.   According to the Oral Health Foundation, 60% of Americans can have some form of […]

    Ask anyone about applying for a new job and you will rarely see a smile join the conversation. Ask a physician about the joys of applying to a hospital and mention of a headache is basically guaranteed. Medical facility applications are enough to make anyone shudder; they are long, they are tedious, they […]

My name is Cassandra Miller and I have been practicing as a physician assistant (PA) since 2003. I trained at University of Southern California and was in the first class to graduate the PA Program. I went into the PA profession because I desired to help others obtain healthier and more abundant lives. I started […]

  Healthcare Facility Perspective: The calendar may only say October, but it’s time to start thinking about your winter holiday staffing needs. Sure, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are still a couple months away, but staff members will soon be submitting their requests for days off during the holiday season, if they haven’t […]

Recent graduates of medical schools have more student loan debt than any generation before them; more than 86% of graduates, to be exact.  Of all the challenges facing new physicians, managing medical school debt can be among the most imposing. Although today’s physicians have a bright future ahead of them, the first few years on […]

Although the phone interview is very important, we believe the on-sight interview is the most crucial part of the interview process. This is your chance to shine as an organization and put yourself in the position to say “yes” or “no” to the candidate. Too often, clients go into the interview looking for reasons to […]

WAR FOR TALENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG INTERVIEW Today we are in a protracted veritable war for talent on multiple fronts. With the well documented shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals, along with the projected shortages to come or worsen it is an imperative to be prepared for battle with winning the […]

While most of us with white collar jobs will have this coming Labor Day off to spend with family and friends, many physicians will observe the holiday while at work. Today, we focus on answering the question “how many hours does the average doctor work in a week?” As this question has many different variables, […]

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF WORKING LOCUM TENENS Choosing to work Locum Tenens allows you a ton of freedom, a freedom that can be gained without choosing to retire. Working locum tenens gives you the freedom to decide if all your critical needs and desires such as geography, income potential, practice style, and community match up […]

As a firm, we speak to dozens of physicians and clients each day. This gives us the ability to spot trends in the marketplace as they are developing. Additionally, our business development team that meets clients regarding specific recruitment needs is the first to see these requests from clients for different physician specialties. One such […]

The most frequent conversation recruiters have with physicians is regarding location; discussing the differences between practicing in rural areas (cities with 50K people or less) and urban areas (cities with over 500K people). As someone who grew up in a very rural part of Washington State (Rochester has 5K people and 1 stop light) but […]

In our technology-driven society, many patients make their health choices based upon the direction they receive from peers, colleagues and role models via social media. As a result, social media has altered the way in which patients approach their health and their expectations in clinical care. Many physicians are fearful of the unknown and choose […]