Preparing to graduate from residency is an exciting time, but keeping track of all you need to do to ensure you meet residency requirements can become overwhelming. To help you navigate your to-dos follow the steps below.
Set yourself up to soar after residency with member-exclusive resources and education designed around career and practice needs in six of the areas that matter most right now. Want to track your progress? Members can download a checklist version all of these steps and resources.
Use the AAFP’s Career Benchmark Dashboard to compare compensation, benefits, and more for family physicians across locations and practice types.
Speak with faculty mentors and recent residency graduates to determine good job fits and pitfalls to avoid in your job search.
Think about your desired work-life balance in relation to your practice setting options and personal life, including your ideal work week and breakdown of percentages of FTE spent in patient care, administrative duties, teaching, research, etc.
Consider seeking out career coaching.
Update your curriculum vitae (CV), personal statement, and cover letter; identify and confirm your references; and ask a faculty member or recent residency graduate to review the documents.
Know the AAFP’s five signs of a good physician employer.
Identify potential employers and research relevant information about them.
Post your CV and set up job alerts on the AAFP’s CareerLink website, and take advantage of career placement services offered to AAFP members.
Identify resources to find and apply for positions, including your personal and professional networks, health system recruiters, job listing websites, and direct connections with employers.
Prepare questions to ask potential employers before your in-person interview.
Rehearse answers to anticipated questions from potential employers and interviewers.
Identify a lawyer who has experience reviewing physician contracts and who aligns with your values and personal style.
Before opening contract discussions, make a list of points to cover and categorize them as must haves, nice to haves, items to use in negotiation but willing to give away, etc.
Learn common contract terminology, benefits to look for, and provisions to avoid (e.g., restrictive covenants and lack of payment for supervision in collaborative practice arrangements).
Watch free negotiation training videos or take a class on negotiation skills to prepare to conduct your own job negotiations.
After you’ve received a contract, verify a point of contact with the employer.
Review your contract carefully, identify any vague language, and ask specific questions to clarify contract details.
Apply for and take the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) or American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) board certification exam. Complete requirements needed before registering for board.
Use the AAFP Family Medicine Board Review Self-Study package for everything you need to prepare.
Access free board review questions to complement your study plan.
Apply for appropriate state licensure and registration, and state-required exams, if needed.
Apply for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and state-specific Department of Public Safety (DPS) licenses.
Identify state(s) in which you would like to practice and research their licensing requirements and how long the licensure process takes.
Ensure state laws allow you to practice to your desired spectrum of care.
Get extra training in areas you will be focusing on more in practice.
Learn business fundamentals and care team management skills to help build your confidence.
Enhance your pregnancy care knowledge with a course made for new physicians.
