In the Pacific Northwest where 70% of jobs are being offered by NCGs, 62% are open to PC boards. It is important to note that this situation cannot necessarily be laid at the feet of these groups. It is the administrators of the site hospitals who determine the board requirements of the emergency department physicians, not the groups. For instance, in New Jersey, with a heavy EmCare presence, only 3% of jobs accept primary care boards. I spoke with the primary EmCare recruiter in that region, and she confirmed that the requirements are set by the hospitals. So why track this element? It will make a strong difference as to whether job candidates will have a good chance of finding a peer group.

The 13 states of the Midwest lead the US with 27% of all available jobs, especially in Ohio. Look for strong opportunity all around Illinois, including Chicago, and EMP has a great new site with strong improvements in Springfield. You’ll also find lots to look at in Missouri, especially in the St. Louis area. In fact, if you are headed to the city of the arch, check in with CEP America for some new, hot partnership positions. Indiana and Wisconsin also have multiple openings, but not in any of their popular cities like Indianapolis, Madison or Milwaukee.

Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Kentucky all have moderate levels of opportunity, but again, not in their larger, more popular cities. Detroit is dead (and bankrupt) and whatever is showing up in the Twin Cities is being taken by their local grads. Kansas will have a few spots but are primarily NCG with 70% primary care boards accepted. The Dakotas are on the map this season with minor activity, but again, not in the larger cities. Nebraska has a few spots including Omaha via the Premier group.

Next up are the 10 states of the Southeast led by Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee with a good level of opportunity in Nashville, Tampa and Charlotte but not so much in Atlanta or Miami. However, Team Health is offering jobs in Ft. Lauderdale as well as Tampa. And of course, the Raleigh/ Durham area remains virtually jobless. The Smokey & Blue Ridge Mountains area of Tennessee and North Carolina are also pretty open this year if you have an interest there.

South Carolina offers some suburban opportunity along with one job in Charleston and one in Hilton Head, both of which will probably be gone in a flash. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana are more on the moderate side, though Birmingham will have a few spots. New Orleans is very quiet. The region is 60% open to primary care boards except in North Carolina where only 22% of jobs don’t require emergency medicine training.