The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

While many physicians shift into nonclinical roles at the mid- or late-career stage, it’s not unusual for those as early as medical school or residency to be interested in exploring their nonclinical options. However, it’s common to have more confusion than clarity about this topic so early in the game. My returning guest today, Dr. Heidi Moawad, is a neurologist and writer who mentors medical students and residents. She’s here to discuss where to start when you’re considering nonclinical options, how to diplomatically gain insight and knowledge from mentors, and why delving into this topic early on can lead to better career satisfaction down the road.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode140    In this episode we’re talking about: Why considering all your career options early on is a great idea What motivates early career physicians to explore nonclinical roles How to approach nonclinical career hunting without getting overwhelmed The importance of networking when seeking nonclinical career guidance How to approach your mentors for nonclinical career advice Why LinkedIn is a great tool for career exploration Dr. Moawad’s book, Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine   Links for this episode:  Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine by Dr. Heidi Moawad Nonclinicaldoctors.com Dr. Heidi Moawad’s website Episode 33 - Top 4 Career Roadblocks with Dr. Heidi Moawad    

Let’s face it, physicians like to do things perfectly. However, the career change path is uncharted territory for most physicians, and unexpected challenges are bound to occur once we leave the one-size-fits-all road to a clinical career. While some mistakes along the way are inevitable, there are also important techniques you can employ to conquer obstacles during your career change journey. Today’s returning guest, career coach Dr. Karen Barnard, is here to discuss common mistakes along the career change path and what you can do to avoid and overcome them to achieve career happiness.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode139   In this episode we’re talking about: How signals from your body can be a red flag that you need a change The role of counseling or therapy in the career change process Why the security of a career in medicine isn’t always what it seems How to prioritize your needs after years of putting them on the back burner Why seeking the help of others is important when considering a career change The misconception that answers lie outside ourselves instead of inside Dr. Barnard’s personal experience with some of these issues during her own career transition   Links for this episode: https://drkarenbarnard.com/work-with-me/ Dr. Karen Barnard's website https://drkarenbarnard.com/resources/ Dr. Karen Barnard's list of resources Episode #81 - Are You In The Right Job For Your Enneagram Personality Type? Part 1 Episode #82 - Are You In The Right Job For Your Enneagram Personality Type? Part 2 The Physician Transition Starter Kit - A “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. This 25-page guide answers many of your questions about career transition, nonclinical options, and how to just get started.  

No matter your career path, being an effective communicator is an essential skill in any professional setting. Yet, most of us haven’t received any formal education in this area, despite our many years of training. To make matters worse, when poor or disruptive communication occurs in the healthcare setting, it can lead to disciplinary action for physicians. And communicating too passively (or not at all) can be problematic if important issues go unaddressed. Enter Dr. Ryan Bayley, emergency physician and coach who specializes in physician communication. Dr. Bayley will discuss the ABCs of effective communication (literally!) and offer practical tips for improving your communication style.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode138    In this episode we’re talking about: Why disruptive and passive communication styles are more similar than you think How communication expectations in healthcare have changed in recent years The discomfort with emotion that underlies communication problems How your personality type and communication style relate to each other The exercise Ryan uses with his clients to unpack their communication obstacles Steps you can take to communicate more effectively and achieve better outcomes Dr. Bayley’s new book on improving communication, boundaries, and behavior   Links for this episode: Dr. Ryan Bayley’s Website Physician Non Grata: A Survival Guide For Clinicians Around Poor Communication, Boundary Issues and, Disruptive Behavior, by Ryan Bayley MD Crucial Conversations - Tools For Talking When Stakes Are High

When you’re burned out and considering leaving clinical medicine, it’s natural to treat your career transition like a project that needs to be completed. After all, who loves a good checklist more than a physician? But the truth of the matter is that resolution of this complex issue doesn't always come quickly, especially when you’re at the end of your emotional rope. Today’s guest, internal medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Randall, is here to discuss how she got stuck in her career transition process, why finding a new path is more inner journey than outward search for answers, and the rewarding new role she found when she reconnected with her needs.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode137    In this episode we’re talking about: Why Dr. Randall chose medicine and how her personality type influenced this decision The progressive burnout Jennifer experienced that finally came to a head Why Dr. Randall starting seeing a therapist and what she learned from this process The steps Jennifer took to identify a new career path, including coaching How Dr. Randall realized she was hitting a wall in her career transition process The role of mindfulness and personal reconnection in Jennifer’s journey How Dr. Randall found purpose and fulfillment teaching the next generation of physicians  

If you’ve considered pursuing a leadership role, you may have wondered what it’s like to be a Chief Medical Officer, or CMO, and what exactly the day-to-day role entails. Look no further  because today’s guest, Dr. Serene Perkins, is here to answer your questions about all things CMO. Dr. Perkins is a surgeon who modified her clinical practice to find better balance and discovered her passion for physician leadership work along the way. Now Dr. Perkins is a CMO for a health plan in Alaska, and she’ll share why she loves her work and how to know if climbing the leadership ladder is right for you.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode136    In this episode we’re talking about: Why Dr. Perkins says the CMO is the glue that holds the organization together The most important personality traits for an aspiring CMO How a CMO advocates for physicians and improves processes Why Serene says no two days are the same in her job How Dr. Perkins manages conflicts when they arise What salary range you can expect for a CMO role How to build your leadership and management skills to become a CMO   Links for this episode: Crucial Conversations - Tools For Talking When Stakes are High American Association of Physician Leaders (AAPL) American College of Healthcare Executives Episode 134: Being A Physician Advisor In A Non-Hospital Based Role  Episode 105: Becoming A Physician Advisor - What’s the Scoop Free Resources - There are a number of high value, free career resources you can check out under the FREEBIES tab. A good place to start is the Physician Transition Starter Kit, a “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. You can also find a guide for rocking your interview, chart review tips, a time management resource, and more.

When you’re considering a nonclinical career, an informational interview can be an invaluable tool in your career change toolbox. Informational interviews can help you learn more about a specific role, build your network, and sometimes even lead to a job offer! However, it’s essential to know how to professionally handle each step in the process to get the most out of this helpful opportunity. In today’s solo episode, I’ll be sharing the 7 steps you need to know to prepare for, execute, and follow-up on your informational interviews to maximize their value.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode135   In this episode we’re talking about: How to make the informational interview ask Deciding what you want from each conversation Letting go of expectations once you make the ask How to strategically prepare for the interview Choosing your questions wisely The importance of your approach to the conversation Why follow-up is so important for success   Links for this episode: LinkedIn for Physicians Course  Special for the month of June 2023 - 10% off with the code LinkedIn10.   This fun course shows you how to create a stand-out profile on LinkedIn and use the powerful features to advance your career goals. The short video lessons guide you step-by-step on how to grow your connections, network successfully, and search for and apply to jobs. Included are cheat sheets for each lesson, examples of physician profiles, and a bonus PDF on how to rock your informational interviews.   

The physician advisor role is one that can be a bit confusing to understand just from the title alone. Our guest today, Dr. Ron Hirsch, is going to help clarify what physicians advisors do when working in a boots-on-the-ground capacity for a hospital system versus working remotely for a third-party company that provides physician advisory services. Dr. Hirsch will be sharing details about both types of physician advisor roles, with an emphasis on the position at third-party companies, such as R1 RCM where he is Vice President of Physician Advisory Services. Ron will be sharing what the job entails, necessary qualifications, and why he is so passionate about this area.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode134   In this episode we’re talking about: The differences between hospital-based and non hospital-based physician advisor roles How utilization review figures into the role of the physician advisor Tips for engaging in fulfilling hospital-based physician advisor work How working as a physician advisor can lead to executive opportunities What qualifications are needed to pursue third-party physician advisory work Ron’s approach to handling the difficult conversations that come up in his role Where to get started and what salary you can expect in this role   Links for this episode: Dr. Ronald Hirsch’s LinkedIn Profile Episode 105 - Being A Physician Advisor - What’s The Scoop? LinkedIn for Physicians Course  Special for the month of June 2023 -10% off with the code LinkedIn10.  This fun course shows you how to create a stand-out profile on LinkedIn and use the powerful features to advance your career goals. The short video lessons guide you step-by-step on how to grow your connections, network successfully, and search for and apply to jobs. Included are cheat sheets for each lesson, examples of physician profiles, and a bonus PDF on how to rock your informational interviews.  

What parts of your current role would you change if you could? Flexibility? Work-life balance? Autonomy? Variety? These are among the top aspects of their jobs that practicing physicians wish they could improve. And while this can sometimes be out of reach in the clinical realm, flexing your entrepreneurial muscle can be a fun and exciting way to achieve these goals. Today’s guest, Dr. Heather Signorelli, is a pathologist who did just this by starting her own successful medical billing company. She’s here to discuss how to overcome roadblocks and make the leap to being a successful business owner.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode133    In this episode we’re talking about: How Dr. Signorelli positioned herself as an entrepreneur early in her career The process Heather used to identify the type of business that appealed to her Why being a problem solver makes you an ideal entrepreneur How to reframe inevitable obstacles on the path to entrepreneurial success Overcoming fears that hold you back from achieving your business goals How your Enneagram personality type influences your entrepreneurial approach  Steps Dr. Signorelli took to make her business dreams a reality   Links for this episode: National Revenue Consulting - Dr. Heather Signorelli’s Medical Billing Company RevMD - Dr. Signorelli’s podcast for physicians The EntreMD Method  Book by Dr. Una: A Proven Roadmap for Doctors Who Want to Live Life and Practice Medicine on Their Terms The Game Podcast by Alex Hormosie   📣🥳️✨🎉 LinkedIn for Physicians Course - Special for the month of June 2023 -10% off with the code LinkedIn10. Would you rather clean out your garage or attic than “put yourself out there” and network? No worries! My LinkedIn course is geared to make networking doable and fun. I will show you how to connect with people who can be helpful for your career, what to put in your messages, and how to apply strategically for the job you really want. You can learn more about this course and get a sneak peek inside right HERE.

Have you ever wondered if you have an inner leader in you? My guest today, Dr. Mayan Bomsztyk, never intended to follow a leadership path in her career, assuming instead that she would practice full-time primary care. Fast forward to today and she’s the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Veterans Affairs in the Sierra Pacific Region. Dr. Bomsztyk is here to share how following your instincts along your career journey can steer you in the right direction, help you pursue what is meaningful to you, and lead you to greater professional fulfillment.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode132    In this episode we’re talking about: What inspired Mayan to pursue leadership roles Why collaboration, vision, resilience, and communication are key skills for leaders The interactions that led Dr. Bomsztyk to realize her leadership potential How your personality type influences your leadership approach Why leadership roles exercise different parts of your brain What advice Mayan would give her younger self about her career journey How taking on different roles can help you discover your own inner leader   Links for this episode: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown LinkedIn for Physicians Course - This fun course shows you how to create a stand-out profile on LinkedIn and use the powerful features to advance your career goals. The short video lessons guide you step-by-step on how to grow your connections, network successfully, and search for and apply to jobs. Included are cheat sheets for each lesson, examples of physician profiles, and a bonus PDF on how to rock your informational interviews.    You can use the discount code LinkedIN10 to get 10% off this course now until June 30th! Find the course right HERE!  

When you think about utilization review roles for health insurance companies, is your first thought, “I don’t want to be the one denying someone’s care”? This is a common sentiment for physicians who may have been on the opposite end of this role. My guest today, pedidatrcian Dr. Stacie Laff, had similar concerns before she transitioned into a utilization review role after 25 years of clinical practice. Dr. Laff will be sharing with us about how she feels she is helping patients in her role as medical director, what else she loves about this job, and some details on qualifications and compensation. We’ll also learn how she is still able to continue working as a pediatrician in combination with this job.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode131    In this episode we’re talking about: What led Dr. Laff to burn out in private practice Why selling her practice didn’t relieve Stacie’s stress  The common fears Dr. Laff encountered early in her career transition How Stacie helps patients get what they need in her current role What it’s really like to conduct peer-to-peer calls How Dr. Laff’s work-life balance improved dramatically in her new role Qualifications needed and typical compensation for utilization review jobs   Links for this episode: Free Download: Chart Review List & Tips - Chart review is a great way to use your medical knowledge, earn side income, and develop new skills. This guide includes more than 50 chart review companies and a sample email template for reaching out to recruiters. Episode 57 Working in Health Insurance - What’s it like?