Four steps toward worthwhile physician-candidate interviews

Structured Physician Recruitment Interviews: Key Focus Areas

Keep your physician-recruit interviews on track by focusing on the main objective: assessing the applicant's intellect, medical competence and people skills. Further, look for good chemistry between you and the potential new associate. During the actual interview, follow a four-part outline to make sure you cover all the bases. Structure the interview along these lines:

1. Break the ice. Set the meeting's tone right away by doing your best to make the candidate comfortable.

2. Explore the candidate's background. Carefully study the doctor's curriculum vitae before going to the interview. Jot down questions to ask based on the résumé. As candidates recount their own background it reveals personal opinions, self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses, values and motivations.

3. Explore the candidate's medical skills. This is not time to conduct a technical oral exam. Rather, ask questions like,; What do you do if . . . and describe a patient problem or symptoms. Listen carefully for technical know-how (diagnostic and procedure skills) and for how the recruit approaches patient care in general.

4. Discuss business issues. If you still have strong interest in the interviewee, present him/her with a written, non-binding outline proposing the employment arrangements. Keep the outline simple, but make sure it covers the offer's main components.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.