There are many physiatry jobs available.  It’s often hard to determine which practice opportunities are best for you based on the information typically posted on websites.  Here is a representative sampling of some practice opportunities nationally to include Farr Healthcare’s insights about them.  Hopefully this information will be helpful to you.

1.CT – HARTFORD
INTERVENTIONAL

This physical medicine and rehabilitation practice opportunity is with one of CT’s largest orthopedic/physiatry groups with the founding partner a physiatrist.  The overall compensation is in the 99^th percentile across the country according to the Medical Group Management Association.  The location is just 1 ½ hours to Boston and NYC.

2.  FL – VENICE, Also available in AZ – Phoenix area and TX – Victoria
INPATIENT/OUTPATIENT

You are the consultant for the patients as internists provide the primary care.  Affiliate with one of the nation’s largest rehab systems.  There are great opportunities for program development and a welcoming medical staff to promote your services.

3.GA – ATLANTA
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB FACILITY or WOUND CARE/HYPERBARICS or MEDICAL DIRECTOR OR STAFF, REHAB UNIT or OUTPATIENT WITH CONSULTS

This PM&R practice opportunity provides you with a dynamic, energetic, very motivated team to include residents.   The compensation is a very competitive salary with comprehensive benefits.  Enjoy the excitement ofthis rapidly growing program.

4.IN – LAFAYETTE, MISHAWAKA or CARMEL
INPATIENT

This unique job offers the choice to work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.  The Medical Director stipend is competitive at $120,000 – $150,000.  Enjoy affiliation as an employee.  Another practice opportunity in Lafayette offers call 2 weeks/year, choice of employee or independent contractor and the choice of being the primary doctor or consultant

5.ME – PORTLAND, Also available in NY – Buffalo and FL – Daytona Beach
SKILLED NURSING FACILITY WORK, 6 HOURS/DAY, 4 DAYS/WEEK

This schedule is terrific plus no call.  It offers a huge benefits package.  Enjoy autonomy with this position.  It’s ideal if you seek a flexible schedule suitable for parents or for a more balanced lifestyle without compromise of income or benefits.

6.MI – DETROIT AREA
INPATIENT/OUTPATIENT – FULL- OR PART-TIME

$400 million commited to enhance this inpatient rehabilitation program.   This rehab program was ranked # 4 in the state by Newsweek.  There is hospitalist consultant coverage for all inpatient rehab medical management.  This physiatry practice truly emphasizes quality and time well-spent with patients.

7.NM  – ALBUQUERQUE, similar openings nationwide to include Dallas, TX
INPATIENT/OUTPATIENT – MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB OR STAFF

You can choose to be the consultant or the primary doctor as there is good internal medicine coverage.  No call!  Enjoy a tremendous sign-on bonus of up to $40K and relocation.  There is a billing expert on-site.

8.NY – BROOKLYN AND NORTHERN NJ
INTERVENTIONAL

This physical medicine and rehabilitation position is with a private practice that has physiatrists with great credentials; the senior physiatrist is Board Certified in PM&R, Pain, Sports and EMG’s!  There are no drug patients.  Enjoy good collegial relations and a cohesive office staff.

9.OR – PORTLAND
OUTPATIENT – FULL- OR PART-TIME

This is a stable, financially-strong private practice with a good referral base.  The staff have been with the practice for 20+ years.  Enjoy a good mix of physiatric variability to include outpatient strokes and TBI.

10.  SC – NEAR COLUMBIA
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB

This is a brand-new rehab hospital so you can make your mark on it.  You will enjoy the autonomy and income advantages of being an independent contractor with the help of this company to do the marketing for you and help with setting up your practice.

Overall, each practice opportunity offers its own set of advantages, whether it’s a diverse scope of practice, high compensation, flexible scheduling, or opportunities for professional growth.  Consider your own preferences, career goals and personal circumstances when evaluating with opportunity might be the best fit for you.

It may be strange to write about bad physiatry job prospects as the current PM&R job market favors physiatry job applicants.  There is definitely a shortage of physiatrists.  However, not all physiatry job markets offer equal opportunities.

Strong Competition in Metropolitan Areas

Metropolitan areas present a different set of hurdles for physiatrists. Most physiatry job candidates favor big cities.  Therefore, there is more competition for jobs in big cities.   With the large number of physiatrists in metro areas, it leads to more competition for patients.  There are several negative factors in big cities.  The high cost of living in cities affects how much a physiatrist will ultimately earn.  Some of the metro areas are in states with high income taxes which also cuts into the physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor’s ultimate income.  Some metro areas have closed health referral networks.  Unless you’re in the major health referral network in the area, your source of referrals is limited.

Varying Job Market in Rural Areas

For the few of you with an interest in rural areas, one challenge may be finding a PM&R practice opportunity in a small town.  The patient population in rural areas may not be sufficient to sustain a thriving practice.  Many practice opportunities in rural areas offer very competitive compensation particularly among big health care systems.  On the other hand, it may be difficult to find a competitive wage in a rural area because the demographics are such that income is less and hence salaries are less.   Limited resources, including the availability of referral physicians, nursing staff and ancillary services can also significantly hinder the job environment for physiatrists.

Reimbursement Issues

Beyond geographic considerations, reimbursement issues can impact job prospects nationwide. Reimbursement for spinal procedures in some areas has decreased over time and insurances may not recognize the procedures.  Job opportunities may dwindle as healthcare organizations prioritize specialties with higher reimbursement rates, leaving physiatrists grappling with financial uncertainties and limited career options.

Three Ways to Navigate the Physiatry Job Market Challenges

Despite the less than ideal outlook in certain job markets, aspiring physiatrists need not despair. Strategic planning and proactive measures can help mitigate the challenges associated with less favorable job prospects in physiatry.

1. Diversification of Skills: Rather than focusing on a particular aspect of physiatry, it may be advisable to be able to provide a broad range of services. If reimbursements decrease in a particular field of physiatry, then you can divert to other services.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: Flexibility in practice settings can open doors to unforeseen job prospects. Adapting to evolving healthcare trends are essential for navigating the ever-changing landscape of physiatry employment.
3. Networking and Advocacy: Building professional connections within the healthcare community and advocating for the value of physiatry are vital steps in overcoming job market obstacles. Active involvement in medical organizations, participation in advocacy initiatives, and collaboration with allied healthcare professionals can raise awareness about the critical role of physiatrists in patient care, potentially generating new job opportunities and partnerships.

“Thank you for all your help. If I ever require a new position I will reach out to you.”  Recent comment from a physiatrist to Farr Healthcare, Inc.

A physiatrist who is recruiting a new doctor with our help asked me recently what are the typical benefits offered to physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors these days. I often hear that these benefits are fairly common:  Paid Time Off, CME, malpractice and health insurance.  Here is the PM&R outlook regarding typical benefits.  Information will later be provided about PM&R salary as I also often get asked about the average PM&R salary by physiatrists in different areas of the country.

PAID TIME OFF

The amount of Paid Time Off a PM&R doctor receives can vary based on factors such as the medical specialty, practice setting, and experience level.  On average, doctors can expect to receive between 2 to 6 weeks of paid time off per year. https://www.chellelaw.com/how-much-vacation-time-do-doctors-get/#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20vacation%20time,generally%20receiving%20more%20vacation%20days.

On average, PTO for physicians is 25 to 35 days annually.  It is typical for physicians with more years of service to receive more PTO than new physicians just joining the hospital or group.  Some physicians receive an additional 5–10 PTO days accrual for CME. https://physiciansthrive.com/contract-review/paid-time-off/

CME

Annual allowances for CME typically range between $3,500 and $5,000, with paid time off between five and ten days. https://sullivancotter.com/attracting-and-retaining-physicians-through-benefits/

Most employers give between 3-5 days off for CME participation.  https://www.chellelaw.com/what-is-cme/

Most respondents reported receiving 1–6 days (N = 301 [60%]) and $1000–$5000 (n = 263 [53%]) per year to use in CME activities.  https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-021-02595-x

HEALTH INSURANCE

There may be variations in the health insurance offered to a physiatrist, e.g.,  cover the new doctor only, cover the whole family, pay a percentage of it.

Additional benefits may include a 401k plan, travel expenses when there are multiple offices, relocation when a new doctor has to move. etc.

401 K START TIME

A major health employer’s 401(k) Plan starts on the first day following two months of service. 

Most employers allow a new doctor to begin participating in a 401(k) plan with their first paycheck. However, some employers impose a waiting period before the new doctor qualifies for the match. Just under under a quarter (22%) of 401(k) plans require a year of service before they will match employee 401(k) contributions, and a one- to three-month wait is also common (26%), according to a Plan Sponsor Council of America survey of nearly 600 401(k) and profit-sharing plans.  https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/how-to-maximize-your-401-k-match

Quote from a practice that Farr Healthcare, Inc. recently helped recruit a physiatrist:

“You have been fabulous with us which makes you unforgettable in my book. ”  Steve Jones, CFO, CitiMed, a former client

After 30+ years in physiatry recruitment, I find there are many reasons why a physician might want to become a physiatrist.  It’s funny but lately there have been many more medical students at physiatry meetings than there ever was in the past.  I tell them that they’ve picked a good specialty!

First, a physiatrist’s lifestyle might provide a good work/life balance.  This is because a PM&R physician can choose to provide general outpatient work or interventional work which typically is a 9 AM – 5 PM schedule.  The same can now be said for some inpatient work because now some facilities have internists who provide the primary care while the physiatrist is the consultant.

Second, compensation for a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician can be competitive among physician specialties.  Although physiatry is listed in the lower third in the 2023 MedScape physician specialties survey, physiatry compensation is greater for some mostly inpatient or interventional PM&R subspecialities.  For example, according to a survey by PhysicianThrive, pain physiatrists earn on average $376,218.  Actually, I hear much larger compensation figures for this physical medicine and rehabilitation subspecialty.

Third, the availability of physiatry jobs is immense.  I can speak from professional PM&R physician recruitment experience that most all physiatry subspecialties are in great demand.   There are a lot of jobs available to provide inpatient, interventional, TBI, SCI and pediatric rehab services.

The fourth advantage of being a physiatrist is that you have a broad range of services to provide within the specialty.  A physiatrist can continue to provide inpatient work after residency or subspecialize in spine, TBI, SCI, pediatric, cancer, etc.  This also offers the ability for a physiatrist to change the services provided during their career.

Lastly, the fifth reason to become a physiatrist is the ability to be part of a team and to be a team leader.  Physiatrists work with therapists in physical, occupational and recreational therapy, medical assistants, nurses, case managers, etc.  It is a collaborative effort which is one of the keys to physiatry and is very rewarding and satisfying to physiatrists.

Farr Healthcare, Inc. was happy to present at the Job Fair at the 2024 Association of Academic Physiatrists’s 2024 Meeting.  It was wonderful to see and talk with many physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and PM&R residency coordinators.  We look forward to future meetings.   

According to a recent article, the top 5 states to be a doctor are SD, ID, IA ND and WI. The article considered a number of factors when determining the best place for a doctor to practice to include compensation, quality of care in the state, burnout rate, cost of living, physician density, rate of malpractice suits, quality of life (crime, economy, health care, education, transportation) and incentives to practice (loan forgiveness, loan payback program, lower malpractice insurance, signing bonuses, production incentives).

As it turns out, Farr Healthcare, Inc. rarely gets requests from physiatrists for physiatry practice opportunities in these areas!

Here are the reasons each of these states was ranked so high:

South Dakota – Highest paid physician salaries in the U.S. and ranking high in quality of life (#20), affordabililty (#14), and low malpractice suits (#47)

Idaho – High salaries, low physician density, loan forgiveness

Iowa – In the top 10 states for healthcare quality and low rates of malpractice lawsuits, low physician density, high quality of life (#14) and lowest cost of living in the U.S.

North Dakota – High salaries (#4), qualty of life (#15), low burnout rate (#46) and in top ten states for healthcare quality

Wisconsin – High salaries (#9), incredibly low malpractice insurance rates, quality of life (#11), burnout rate (#30), in the top ten for quality of healthcare

Perhaps you want to reconsider these states in your physical medicine and rehabilitation practice search.  Coincidentally, Farr Healthcare, Inc. has PM&R jobs in all of these states:

SD- SIOUX FALLS
STAFF INPATIENT WITH SOME OUTPATIENT

•Newer hospital so plenty of professional opportunities
• Outpatient service sector wide open for development
• Independent contractor or employee

ID – POCATELLO
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB

• Tremendous support from the management company
• A hospitalist is the patient’s primary doctor
• Local airport, river activities, home of semi-professional baseball

IA – SIOUX CITY
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB

• 86,000 city population, 175,000 area population
• Work with a large, not-for-profit health care system
• Best in Class compliance team

ND – FARGO
GENERAL OUTPATIENT

• Patient demand as 3 month waiting list
• No travel or call
• Great collegial environment; the Medical Director is energetic and patient-focused
• Per a local doctor, it’s a great place with good schools, a good airport, hunting, skiing, college sports and theatre, a low crime rate, and more

WI – WAUSAU
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, REHAB AND STAFF

• New rehab hospital opening 2/24 in central WI
• Be part of growing network of over 60 hospitals
• High-end compensation
• Great opportunities for program development
• Welcoming medical staff to promote your services
• Work/life balance as the medical care provided by the local primary care doctors
• Perfect balance of city and country – festivals,farmer’s markets, live music, marathons, theater, art museums, specialty shops
• Four seasons of fun, both indoor and outdoor, to include skiing, kayaking, a baseball team and a soccer complex

For more Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Jobs, don’t forget to visit https://farrhealthcare.com/openings/physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation-jobs/

Although there’s a great physiatry practice opportunity for everyone among the practice opportunities listed on our website, here are the current Top Ten list of our PM&R practice opportunities.

AZ.  Midway between Phoenix and Flagstaff so close to both types of lifestyles.  Associate Medical Director, PM&R. No weekday call; call 1:4 weekends.  Competitive income guarantee plus stipend plus sign-on bonus. This program has been operational for years so it’s well-oiled and easy to work with.  In the top 10% of UDS hospital patient outcomes nationally.

CA.  San Francisco area.  Focus is on occupational medicine/worker’s comp.  No call, flexible hours and days, no nights or weekends.  This group has decades of experience.  Competitive compensation and benefits. Full-complement to include IM, FL, Ortho, PT, psychologists, PA’s, NP’s and chiropractors.

CO.  Colorado Springs, Denver and more. Inpatient physiatry in Colorado Springs with the assistance of a NP.  SNF/NH work in Denver, Greeley and Fort Collins. No evening call from 7 PM – 7 AM.  1:6 weekends but only again during the day and only by phone.

CT.  Hartford suburbs. Interventional physical medicine and rehabilitation.  Beautiful area, top-notch school system, and NYC & Boston are 1 1/2 hours away.  Skiing, hiking and more. One of CT’s largest and most respected orthopedic specialty/physiatry groups.  The President and founding partner of the group is a physiatrist.  Offers a path to full and equal partnership.  Overall compensation is in the 99th percentile across the country.  Enjoy terrific procedural volumes.  Strong support staff of PA’s, PT’s, etc.

FL.  Orlando. Ready-made general outpatient PM&R practice with patients waiting for you.  The doctors at this practice never leave!  Very competitive compensation.  Partnership track available

KS.  Near Kansas City.  Medical Director of a beautiful new rehab hospital. Work with an experienced leader in rehab.  Can be the patient’s primary doctor or the consultant.

MD.  Salisbury.  Live on the beach!  Friendly work environment with understanding for flexible schedules for vacations, child care needs, etc.  A lot of team support.  Low COL and crime, good schools.

ME.  Portland.  SNF. Generous compensation estimate of $300,000 with uncapped earning potential.  6 hours/day.  Huge benefits package.  Beautiful location with high quality of life and low cost of living.  Ideal for those who seek a flexible schedule suitable for parents or for a more balanced lifestyle without compromise of income or benefits.

MN.  Duluth. General outpatient.  Huge sign-on bonus and compensation.  Professional collegiality with 6 physiatrists.  Excellent working relationships with a full continuum of Neuromusculoskeletal specialists.  Outside Magazine named Duluth, “Best Town Ever!”

WI. Wausau. New rehab hospital opening 2/24 in central WI.  Be part of growing network of over 60 hospitals.  High-end compensation.  Great opportunities for program development.  Welcoming medical staff to promote your services.  Work/life balance as the medical care provided by the local primary care doctors.  Perfect balance of city and country – festivals,farmer’s markets, live music, marathons, theater, art museums, specialty shops.  Four seasons of fun, both indoor and outdoor, to include skiing, kayaking, a baseball team and a soccer complex

For more Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Jobs, don’t forget to visit here

It was great to see those of you who I’ve seen before at the AAPMR meeting.  It was also wonderful to meet the medical students and those of you who I met for the first time at this year’s meeting.  It’s much better than emails, texts and phone calls!  We attended the Job Fair and the Exhibit Hall.  I look forward to future conversations.

I enjoyed seeing everyone at the 2023 AAPMR physiatry meeting in New Orleans.  We attended the Job Fair and the Exhibit Hall.   Each year, Farr Healthcare provides a thank you $500 cash gift to one lucky doctor who who visited our booths.  This year’s recipient was Esther Jung, M.D.  Congratulations to Dr. Jung!