Medical Jobs in the US Virgin Islands? (low income, credit)

[Slaol]

Greetings!

This is my first post on this board (though I have been a "stalker" of this board for some time). I am currently completing my residency training in Family Medicine in Minnesota & am interested in pursuing a long-term medical career in the USVI. My wife and I spent our first two years of marriage in St. Maarten, where I attended medical school. Though we had virtually no money, we absolutely loved the island life - the people, climate, the slower pace... yes, we even look back and laugh about the [almost daily] power and water outages that forced us to spend more time outside at the beach. We had an old red minivan with a broken back window that we'd load up with bulk food items at Cost-U-Less once a month that reliably got us where we needed to go (and that we could literally park anywhere because nobody would ever want to steal it)... but I digress... needless to say, we have very fond memories of our time there.

My current residency program is based in one of the large "safety-net" hospitals in Minnesota that serves many of the uninsured, immigrant, and homeless populations of the twin cities. I find working with the "underserved" very rewarding and I think that I would want to continue working in such an environment in the future.

All this to say, I was looking through the website for the NHSC medical loan repayment program and saw that there are three medical facilities on St. Croix that are classified as "low-income/high need" areas & would qualify me for some modest loan repayment incentives from the US Government if I were to land a job there.

Does anyone on this board have any advice or experience they would like to share with regards to the health care situation in the USVI? Are doctors in high demand? Are the people of St. Croix accepting of doctors from outside the islands? Would this be a good place to raise a family long-term? (No kids yet, but we are thinking of homeschooling at this point, and I have seen that there are a few groups on the island that do this).

I know this is a lot of questions for a first post - thank you so much, in advance, for any advice or pointers you might have!

[SunsetBeachFL]

For St. Croix, doctors, specifically specialists would be welcome. We currently travel from St. Croix to St. Thomas for board certified specialists. I will assume you've done some cursory research regarding the 3 facilities that would permit you to qualify for your loan repayment incentives.

Although we are not necessarily low income, we are self-insured so selecting the right specialist is important for our budget since we really cannot afford to make a mistake and get a second opinion. Most of our GP needs are met here and came from referrals (same with dentistry). So word of mouth is very important - the old "coconut telegraph" does play a part in our decisions.

Home schooling is a terrific option and there are several private schools.

I do hope you will be able to get some time off to visit the island for an extended period of time before you make the decision. Although, having some experience in St. Maarten was a good introduction as you probably picked up a lot of the nuances that will translate to living and working in St. Croix.

I'm only aware of 2 facilities that offer medical services to low income families. I'm sure I missed one of the three, but unless you mean the penal system, I can only think of two.

The hospital here struggles to maintain accreditation in various areas and I believe it was last year, maybe the year before when the hospital lost the ability to provide psychiatric services and I'm not sure it has changed.

Best of luck to you!

[Slaol]

Thank you very much for the reply and for the insight into the health situation on St. Croix. After residency, I would be certified in Family Medicine and could do non-surgical OB. It sounds like there is a higher need for specialists vs. primary care, which might make finding a job difficult for FM.

I suppose we could put off our island dream for 2-3 years while I get more experience (and pay off my loans). That would make it easier to live on the island with whatever job I could get (if they are available).

[Maineac]

If you think SXM was corrupt, you ain't seen nothin' yet. They just dumped a slew of nurses at Luis on STX from employ, along with one physician. The three top administrators at the RLS Hospital on STT (named after a governor who skipped out after ripping off nearly $1,000,000 from the government - he paid $50K back and the attorney general at the time let him go) are due for trial in October for stealing millions. The newspapers you should focus on are www.stthomassource.com and Virgin Islands Daily News | virginislandsdailynews.com | A Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper, Virgin Islands Guide, Virgin Islands InfoVirgin Islands Daily News as well as Tradewindsnews.com Do the pulldown under "news" on the stthomassource website and watch the police reports. I don't believe they've arrested anyone for the carnival gunfight that went on over a week ago. I loved the place in general, but it ain't for everyone and certainly not a good idea for uprooting a stateside family unprepared for kwh rates approaching $0.60/kwh (most NEED air conditioning), and a very, very high cost of living.

[JTMD]

Just located this site ...
I am interested to practice medicine in St Thomas.

I am board certified family Meficine and completed my 3 Rd time recertified.
I am also Fellowship trained in Getiatrics for additional 2 yrs
Boarded in quality assurance and utilization review...
I am
In Solo practice in practice and administrative role total 33 yrs
I have been past chief of medicine VA medical center, Chief of Geristrics VA
Chairman of the department of Family Medicine Hospital NJ
Head of utilization review RWJMC
My CV is much more extensive after working in private sector government university setting .
Medical director of the NJ state prison system
Now medical director of large hospice program and Solo Practice .
Any positions in administrative role or clinical role in ST Thomas

[Maineac]

Red Hook Family Practice.

[Sunscape]

Originally Posted by JTMD

Just located this site ...
I am interested to practice medicine in St Thomas.

I am board certified family Meficine and completed my 3 Rd time recertified.
I am also Fellowship trained in Getiatrics for additional 2 yrs
Boarded in quality assurance and utilization review...
I am
In Solo practice in practice and administrative role total 33 yrs
I have been past chief of medicine VA medical center, Chief of Geristrics VA
Chairman of the department of Family Medicine Hospital NJ
Head of utilization review RWJMC
My CV is much more extensive after working in private sector government university setting .
Medical director of the NJ state prison system
Now medical director of large hospice program and Solo Practice .
Any positions in administrative role or clinical role in ST Thomas

I hope you get something moré responses as I believe the re is a great need for Health proffesionals in all the islands.

[Mvicari]

Is anyone aware of Nurse Practitioners practicing in any one of the USVI? Most states in mainland have NPs but each state has different bilaws for practice. Any information would be helpful. Thank you

[IslandCityGirl]

Originally Posted by Mvicari

Is anyone aware of Nurse Practitioners practicing in any one of the USVI? Most states in mainland have NPs but each state has different bilaws for practice. Any information would be helpful. Thank you

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know what an NP is, when comparing that title to an RN, but nurses are always in high demand in the VI. Start here...

Home (St Thomas hospital)

JFLH - HOME (St Croix Hospital)

[taroberts]

Originally Posted by IslandCityGirl

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know what an NP is

Basically a Nurse that can write prescriptions. They usually are found in private practice attached to an MD. They can be selected for ins purpose as your primary care physician.

I used to use one back in Baltimore. I dont know of any of these existing in the VI though.