How to Find a Job As a PA or NP

Are you a Physician Assistant (Physician Associate) or Nurse Practioner looking for a job? I share several different ways you can find one! Yes, maybe even in a harder-to-find area.
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1. AGGREGATION WEBSITES
PA Job Source, provided by the AAPA, has a Zillow-style map that you can use to find active jobs from employers across the country, which makes it easy to send a hiring manager your CV. The AAPA is building up this platform, and it's pretty intuitive to check out, so I would start here if you have a membership.
Many people have had success with Doc Cafe. When I looked, there were over 1,500 PA/NP jobs in emergency medicine (for example).
HRSA Healthcare Connector has many PA jobs for "communities in need" aggregated through this government agency.
3RNet.org was recommended and had a lot of rural jobs.
You can check out your state PA chapter website; they may host a job board. The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates (my state) has one.
I never had luck with Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, and the like, but there are jobs here. I'm sure you don't need me to highlight these spots.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Some people have succeeded with location-specific PA/NP Facebook groups when asking for jobs. Many of these communities have thousands of members; check the rules beforehand.
LinkedIn has hiring managers with whom you can connect and direct messages. It also has a robust job board. You have to commit yourself to making a profile.
3. DIRECT LISTINGS
Chart down every hospital or clinic that interests you within an hour's drive, go to their site, find the jobs/careers tab, and start looking out for those listings. If there isn't one, you can at least leave an email to be notified about new jobs posted.
4. PERSONAL CONNECTIONS & SCHOOL
I managed to find two of my jobs this way. One was because a PA school classmate had a job lead but had already found a position, so he sent the lead to me. Another was a physician I worked with who told me his second hospital location was hiring and urged me to apply.
Leverage your past employers, rotations, preceptors, friends, and classmates to find job openings. Sometimes, your PA school will come across jobs and refer them to your class cohort.
Thanks to u/rubberyduckythe1 for the suggestion.
5. JOB FAIRS / CONFERENCES
I know larger hospital systems will host job or "talent" fairs. The problem is these are usually one- or two-day events, so if you have already missed them for the year, it could be months until they hold one again.
The AAPA conference and local conferences are ways to network and sometimes have recruiters. Bring a resume.
6. MEDICAL RECRUITERS
There are tons of small, medium, and large companies out there whose job is finding you a job. I get text and email alerts about open positions. It's helpful to sign up even if you're not actively looking for work, as you could refer friends or stay in tune with what's out there.
Please do your due diligence when using recruiters and vet the job. They're salespeople, so don't take whatever they say as gospel. Also, a negative is that some recruiters can be pushy or alert you too frequently, which is an annoyance rather than a help.
7. UNCLE SAM
Several branches of the armed service and even the VA are hiring. The military isn't suitable for everyone, but it certainly is an avenue if you meet their requirements. Advantages include that they have robust loan repayment, benefits, and paid leave, and your military skills translate well into the civilian space.
8. TRAVELING SALESPERSON
Not for the faint of heart. Dress up, drive to the location, hand your resume off in person, and briefly talk about the places you are interested in. It beats sulking behind a computer screen about not hearing from some Indeed listing.
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I just wanted to let you know that having things in order is helpful. Making sure your credentials are up to date, you have the PANCE, and your state license are all little barriers that smooth the decision to have you on board. So, don't be discouraged if you apply to 100 jobs as a PA student with 6-months left until graduation. Reapplying when you have everything in hand goes a long way.