Join the U.S. Dermatology Partners Team Today!

This year has been tough for many of us. Dermatology offices, that work closely with people every day, have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and those looking for jobs are finding it to be challenging. But we have good news for you! If you’re a dermatologist looking for a job right now, we would love for you to join the U.S. Dermatology Partners team. We have nearly 100 office locations in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado, and our teams are always looking for knowledgeable, like-minded physicians to come on board. You can find out more about specific openings in your area on our U.S. Dermatology Partners recruiting job board. Even if you don’t choose to join our team, we want you to feel prepared for your job search in the era of COVID-19, so we’re offering some tips to help you with the interviewing process with our office and other dermatology practices that are currently hiring.

Tip 1 – Stay Flexible

An important part of any job search is to visit the office you’re considering so you can get the full experience of our state-of-the-art practices, caring support staff, and prime office locations. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has made this a little more difficult. Even with our practices being open to more patients, we’re all doing our utmost to minimize exposure and risk, and in some cases, there may be travel restrictions in place that prevent an in-office meeting. For this reason, your in-person visit might be replaced or supplemented by a visit with us via Zoom or FaceTime. We can use these video chat tools to show you around the office and introduce you to your colleagues. It’s not ideal, but with a little flexibility, it’s a great interview option. We’ve found video interviews to be especially beneficial for clinicians who are relocating. There’s no need for unnecessary travel in the early stages of the interview process. Other dermatology practices are taking advantage of these resources for interviewing as well, so be prepared to move forward with an interview that is not necessarily the standard, in-person meeting.

Tip 2 – Make the Most of Video Interviews

Although most practicing physicians are likely familiar with video conferencing platforms due to the recent increase in telehealth, many residents or fellows in training may not be.  With so many interviews being conducted over video chat, you need to be ready to make the most of this interview format. When you’re getting ready for your video interview, keep the following in mind:

• Pick your space – You’ll most likely be completing the interview from home, so you’ll want to find a place that is private and looks professional. If you have a home office, this is a great option. If you don’t have an office, choose a room with a door that can be closed to minimize interruptions.
• Clean up – De-clutter a little and/or find a good camera angle that doesn’t take in too much of your surroundings.
• Lighting – Make sure you have adequate lighting, so you can clearly be seen on the video without excessive shadows concealing your features. For best results, place a light source in front of you.  
• Test everything – If you already use Zoom or FaceTime every day, get started a few minutes before your interview time, so you can test your internet connection, camera, microphone, and speakers. If you’re not familiar with Zoom or FaceTime, you might want to consider doing a test run with a friend or loved one, so you know what to expect on the day of your interview.
• Camera angles – Placing your camera at eye level is usually best for video conferencing. If you need to use your smartphone or tablet rather than a desktop or laptop computer, make sure you can stabilize these devices at the right level, so they’re not moving around during your interview.
• Dress for success – We know you’re at home but making the effort to dress professionally tells us that you’re serious about the job and are prepared for the interview.
• Focus – Unless you’re using your smartphone for the interview, shut it off. If you are using the phone, hide notifications and other possible distractions during the video call. If you’re using your computer, close down tabs you’re not using to avoid unnecessary distractions.
• Prepare – Before you sit down for the interview, make sure you have everything you need. Get a glass of water. Have a pen and paper at hand to write with. Have a list of questions ready for your interviewer and a copy of your CV available for reference. You can also send your CV in advance, so your interviewer has a copy as well.
• Relax – Now that you’ve stressed about how to position your camera and lighting, take a good deep breath and relax a little. Even though you’re on camera rather than meeting in person, you should still practice all of your good interpersonal etiquette skills. Make eye contact, nod, and otherwise let your interviewer know you are listening and engaging with them.

Tip 3 – Don’t Shy Away from COVID-19 Talk

Right now, COVID-19 is on our minds. We are constantly making adjustments to the way we work with our patients based on the latest recommendations, and it has definitely impacted how we’re interviewing new candidates. Don’t hesitate to talk about it with your interviewer. Remember, the way we’re handling COVID-19 will impact how you do your job. Some questions you might want to go over with your interviewer include:

• How did the practice adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• What precautions and health safety practices were put in place?
• How did patient care change? Telehealth, email visits, phone consultations?
• What Telehealth platforms are used?
• How was patient communication handled, specifically how were patients notified about scheduling changes and/or how to use the virtual treatment technologies?
• How are patients being notified about office reopening and/or scheduling non-emergency treatments now that restrictions have lifted?
• What is the plan moving forward to continue offering exceptional care while maintaining safety for everyone?

Ready to Join the U.S. Dermatology Partners Team?

If you lost your job or were furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand you may feel hesitant to make a big change right now. A lot is happening in the world around us, but all of our U.S. Dermatology Partners locations are built around pairing hardworking and committed dermatology professionals with the patients who need their help. When you join our team, you get access to our home office team of support professionals including our knowledgeable in-office support staff and clinical operations team members who let you focus on patients, our referral network, and more. When you’re ready, we’d love to hear from you. Get started with an online application today.