Lead time for radiologist job search? (Anchorage, Eagle: unemployed, living in, restaurants)

[gingercat]

Presently living in NYC, we are considering Alaska for our next move, most likely Anchorage. My husband is a radiologist; he's pretty specialized here, but realizes he will probably not find a position fully dedicated to that specialty if we come to Alaska. (We've been kind of obsessed with the idea since visiting for a wildlife photography trip a few years ago.)

Physician jobs are hard to gauge with Googling, as most don't ever get posted publicly.

Anyone in this field have any insights into how far in advance he needs to start putting out feelers? We are targeting 2 years out, and need to be discreet. Last time he "just talked" to another hospital--well outside of NYC--his boss found out before he had a chance to bring it up himself!

Thoughts?

Also, since I've hopefully got someone looking, a more mundane question - any suggestions on where to consider outside Anchorage? We are definitely fed up with living in the city, but want reasonable proximity to standard retail provisions and a few decent restaurants. We know Anchorage offers these things...any other towns/cities to think about?

Thanks!

[coaldust]

Gingercat,

NYC to Anchorage. Wow. It will be a positive change for sure. My wife is in the diagnostic imaging biz in Anchorage, so I have a little insite. First, I don't know any unemployed Radiologists. I never see them on the street corners or hanging out at the coffee shops or at the Brother Francis Shelter. I hear that the reimbursement rates are good in AK, so it's a lucrative gig and besides, the health care biz is the fastest growing industry in Ak.

I think a 6 month lead will be plenty of time to line something up. The Obamacare thing is shaking things up and the Docs I know are being more strategic as they adapt to the new rules and such. Generally, I don't see much movement taking place with one exception; Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage seems to go through Radiologists on a regular basis. That's my 2 cents.

Outside of Anchorage? You are looking at Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek or the Matsu Valley Communities. Come for a visit and look things over.

[TL551]

I don't work in a hospital setting anymore, but in the public health arena. I have friends that do work in hospitals though, most of them are mid-level practitioners. They have said that it didn't take long at all for them to be recruited by the hospitals. Your hubby should not have a problem! There is a lot of specialized fields here, and radiology is one of them. There are 3 major hospitals, however, none of them are level 1 trauma centers. Good luck in your endeavors!