PA Employment in Oregon

[caitcpac]

Hi all,

 

I've just moved to Oregon (Salem area) and know no one. I'm a new graduate, already certified and ready to apply for a license as soon as I have a supervising physician. I've applied for, called about and cold-called over 20 prospective job openings, private-practices and large groups within a 40 mile radius. The only phone call I've received back was the Salem Clinic returning my call very nicely to say they are not hiring PAs. I even joined OSPA to see if there were any helpful resources there.

 

I'm getting the impression that Oregon might like NPs quite a bit better than PAs.

 

I'm becoming very frustrated and wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what to do next. I'm not picky at all about what area I find work in at this point... I'm just very excited to start! I'd appreciate any good information!

[marilynpac]

You may have to go to indeed.com and put in your area. They have a will train, it says for NPs but a lot of times it includes PAs(new grads). You might have to drive further than 40mi., go at least 60. Good luck.

[EMEDPA]

oregon is definitely pro-np>pa.

1. the ohsu pa program website has a good oregon job board

2.check out national health service corps jobs in oregon

3. think about working in WA state. it's a bit of a commute but a much friendlier work environment

[primadonna22274]

Have you tried West Salem Clinic? if you can speak some Spanish they may be able to use you.

I grew up in Salem and my first PA job was at Salem Clinic 10 yrs ago. Good place to start out/learn but no great loss--you would have been significantly underpaid.

Look around a little at the surrounding smaller towns--Stayton, Silverton, Dallas, Monmouth.

Which school did you graduate from? And how on God's green earth did you end up in Salem?! LOL...I ran far away and while I miss Oregon I don't miss Salem (much). My mom & dad are still there and I have barely spent 1/2 day there in the past 4 years.

The BEST PA job I've had was with the FP group at Physicians Medical Center in McMinnville. They may be staffed to capacity but you might check. My dear first supervising physician (who also started out at Salem Clinic) is in private practice in McMinnville also. A year ago she tried to get me to move home (seriously thought about it) and was looking for a PA. I'm not sure if she still is but she might be willing to look at your CV.

You should also check the PA Joblist at OHSU and OSPA. www.oregonpa.org

There are 2 jobs in Salem posted there currently.

Good luck

Lisa

[Iain1028]

I find it hard to believe, when we were almost finishing up at Pacific, the school would send almost daily e-mails to us telling us of many many Oregon jobs.

 

Maybe Pacific University would be cool and give you a list. Seemed like a lot of jobs up there for new grads back in 2008.

[meaux]

I have seen a lot of positions posted in Vancouver, WA, Longview, and Chehalis. www.ihiremidlevelpractitioners.com is a decent site, imho.

 

As well, why do you have to have a SP prior to applying for licensure? Is that an OR thing? Just apply for it, so youre not waiting the extra time it takes when youre employed. I have a WA and CO license ready to go, now I'll I have to do is submit the MD/PA worklist paperwork once hired.

[caitcpac]

Thank you so much everybody, so much quick advice! It sounds like I'm on the right track so far. I've seen all the postings and practices you have all mentioned so far. I just haven't gotten any phone calls or emails returned, and no leads on applications (even after I've called for follow up... :-| )

 

I'll start studying the map and find practices in all the small towns around, I'm not at all opposed to that.

 

@primadonna--We ended up in Salem because it's my husband's turn to go to school/work where he wants, and he wants the Oregon wine industry. I went to PA school in Arizona where there were maybe over 100 jobs, I want to kick myself, but there was nothing for my husband in Arizona.

 

@meaux--About licensing, I'm not sure if that's an OR thing or not, but the application asks for your supervising doc and their license number, a scope of practice description from them and a questionnaire from them if they've never had a PA before. I've got the rest of the documentation ready and I don't have the extra cash for the fee, so I've got everything done I can do for now :-|

 

My other question--Is it appropriate to go "door-to-door" to practices and HR offices with CVs?

[marilynpac]

If push comes to shove go door to door...get to know some nurses they usually have the inside info too, they may direct you or ask a doc if he/she is looking for a PA or knows a doc that is...just saying

[primadonna22274]

Try Salem Family Physicians. My dear friend worked there about a dozen years and left a big hole...he's now at Kaiser. You might try Kaiser also but I think they prefer experience.

While we're on the subject though, if your husband wants to get into the wine scene, the Yamhill Valley is a GREAT place to start (McMinnville, Newberg, Dundee, Amity....)

My baby sister is planning to be a winemaker also. She just began her MS in Horticulture at Washington State and this past spring replanted a small vineyard in Hillsboro. The owners are seriously missing her help if your husband is looking for something to do to break in....pm me for details if you like

Good luck!

Lisa

[caitcpac]

Thank you SO MUCH everyone for all the information and advice! After a talk with the husband we've decided to expand the search to Washington and relocate if I'm successful there. It's so comforting to hear from people who know what they're talking about when we know no one here, so thank you all again!

[coffeediva]

You should check out the Tri-Cities in WA. TONS of wineries and very PA friendly.

[jdatc]

The jobs are out there. I still get daily emails from the Pacific program. I'd give them a jingle. I tried the same thing here in Utah, where I just moved after graduating, and the local program here wasn't very receptive to the idea. *sigh* Ah well. Good luck!