Position Search Timeline for Nephrology Fellows

Many of the most desirable positions in the U.S. are filled early within the last year of your fellowship. Be prepared for the position search process. 

12 Months Prior to Graduation

• Define your post-graduation career path and preferred geographic location. Make sure you have a full understanding of your spouses needs/desires with regard to geography.  The number one reason for dissatisfaction with your first choice will be the unhappiness of a spouse with the location.
• Update your CV and prepare a cover letter. Make it as professional and easy to read as possible. List your education and employment in chronological order beginning with the most recent dates first.
• Educate yourself. Review position websites to get an idea of the parameters of positions available across the country. Familiarize yourself with compensation, benefits, partnership tracks, as well as the dialysis providers. These factors can have a significant impact on your career satisfaction.
• State licensure can take up to 9 months depending on the state.  Make sure you know how long it will take to get licensed and allow plenty of time before graduation.

9 Months Prior to Graduation

• Contact practices and recruiters advertising in the geographies of your interest.
• Start networking with former fellows from your program.
• Set up telephone interviews with practices.
• Choose 2 to 3 practices to interview in person.
• Set up on-site interviews.
• Hire a health care attorney to represent you.

6 to 8 Months Prior to Graduation

• Understand the terms of employment contracts.
• Narrow your choices down to 1 or 2.
• For hospital credentialing and payer contracting purposes, plan to have accepted an offer of employment at least 6 months prior to graduation.

Upon execution of a signed contract, secure housing and ask the practice to help you begin credentialing and applying for malpractice insurance immediately. The goal is to be credentialed and insured on your first day of work.

Visa Holders

Because of the additional time requirements for the application process, visa holders should plan to initiate their searches at least 24 months prior to graduation. Make sure you understand the timing of the Conrad 30 waiver process.

Interviewing

Do not attend interviews for jobs you are not seriously considering — a candidate who interviews at more than two or three locations may not be taken seriously by practices. Attend onsite interviews only if you are ready to make a decision 30 days from the time you are offered a contract.

Be Honest

Pursue practices you are interested in and do not waste practices’ time and money if you are not interested. Consider the needs of your spouse and family. Always be truthful; nephrology is a small world. Many practices communicate with one another and may share information about fellows.

Be Reasonable

If an opportunity pays extraordinarily well, the chances are there is a good reason. Know what is important to you. Quality of life, salary, light call schedule, early or no buy-in partnership do not necessarily go together. If one characteristic of a practice is more important to you, be prepared to give on the another (i.e., lower base but lighter call).