How to Find Your Next Psychiatry Job

Ready for something new? In 2014, I sure was! Although I loved working on a consultation-liaison psychiatry team in Pennsylvania, I itched for something different. Within a few months, I was packed and moving across the country to explore psychiatric nurse practitioner jobs on the west coast.

While your change doesn’t have to be that big, exploring new opportunities is a normal part of your career growth. My closest mentor has told me, “You should put your hat in the ring for a new job every year.” She’s right. This keeps your resume and cover letter updated and reminds you to stay focused on your long-term goals.

This article was originally written for Barton Associates.

Reflect on What You Want

Spend time reflecting on what you want from your career, even when you’re not entirely sure whether you’re ready to take the leap. Consider asking yourself:

• Do you want to continue down the clinical path? Or, do you want to explore non-clinical opportunities in management, policy, technology, or education?
• Which psychiatry setting are you most interested in: inpatient or outpatient? What about other unusual settings like schools, public health departments, cruise ships, or prisons?
• What age groups do you want to work with: children, adolescents, adults, or older adults?
• What type of psychiatric services do you want to provide: psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication check-ups, or research?
• Where do you want to live? Are you interested in exploring a new city?
• How do you feel about your salary? Do you feel as though you’re compensated fairly?
• Do you feel happy interacting with your coworkers and teammates?

These questions should get you started thinking about your career and whether it is time to make a change.

Update Your Resume & Cover Letter

When you’re ready to start your job search, you’ll want to make sure your resume and cover letter are up to date with your latest experiences, certifications and licensures, publications, and skills. Barton Associate’s recommends that you customize your resume for each position

Of course, you’ll want your cover letter to clearly indicate your professional objective and why you’re seeking a new position. You’ll want to succinctly summarize your resume, but focus mostly on providing new information about who you are and why you’re interested in this new psychiatric job.

Refresh Your Knowledge

As you’re searching for new opportunities, you’ll want to brush up on the latest best practices in your specialty. For example, if you’re applying for a clinic director position, you may want to read Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide. If you’re seeking a position treating a population you haven’t worked with recently, such as children and adolescents, you may want to read Lewis’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: A Comprehensive Textbook.

Consider Locum Tenens Psychiatry Positions

Your career is long, and you can take it in any direction you wish! Choosing locum tenens, even temporarily can have many benefits, especially for psychiatric providers.

For example, because of this breadth of opportunity, you can seek out positions that will help you gain new and unique skills that you might not find otherwise. In addition, there are opportunities everywhere, awarding you the opportunity to travel to and explore new places. Locum tenens positions offer greater flexibility and higher pay than traditional positions as well.

Any questions? Thoughts? Feel free to comment below or email me!