An $850,000 contract opportunity—with a California life worth moving for.

This is a physician-owned anesthesiology group with a longstanding relationship with a major regional hospital system.

The physicians work hard, but those who want to work hard are rewarded. The group is looking for anesthesiologists who enjoy doing their own cases, take excellent care of patients and want to work alongside supportive physicians, surgeons, nurses and hospital staff.

Fairness is one of the group’s most important principles. A physician joining the practice enters the same compensation model and has access to the same earning opportunities as established physicians.

The group works to provide equitable access to cases and call. No physician is building their income by profiting from another physician’s work. Leadership is also creating greater flexibility for physicians who want to work more and those who may eventually prefer a reduced schedule.

The regional hospital system is growing, with leadership focused on increasing surgical and procedural volume.

At the same time, several longtime physicians are approaching retirement. The group is recruiting proactively to maintain a strong, stable practice capable of meeting growing patient and hospital needs well into the future.

Physicians who enjoy doing their own cases, want to work hard and take pride in delivering excellent patient care tend to thrive in this environment.

Clinical ability and professionalism are essential, but personality also matters. The group wants physicians who communicate well, treat people respectfully and build positive relationships with surgeons, nurses, staff and fellow anesthesiologists.

Both experienced anesthesiologists and strong new graduates are encouraged to explore the opportunity.

Someone looking for a completely predictable 7-to-5 schedule every day may not find this to be the right opportunity.

This is a busy practice with call responsibilities, heavier days and lighter days. The schedule can occasionally be demanding and unpredictable. For someone who accepts that variability and wants the opportunity to work hard and earn well, it can be an extremely rewarding career.

A physician working the regular schedule shares call on a rotating basis, with weekend call approximately every four weeks. A call may be a 24-hour call or first call from home.

After being on call, the physician is typically placed lower on the following day’s schedule, which often means finishing earlier. Some days may extend late into the night, while other days are considerably lighter. The goal is to distribute calls and cases as fairly as possible.

Physicians work across multiple hospital environments and encounter a broad clinical mix.

Some days involve bread-and-butter surgical cases. Other days may include higher-risk obstetrics, trauma, medically complex patients or serious emergency cases.

Many physicians enjoy this variety because it keeps the work interesting and allows them to use the full range of their clinical skills.

Every physician deserves fairness, honest communication, clinical support and an equitable opportunity to work.

Leadership keeps physicians informed, asks for their opinions and remains available when someone has a concern. Physicians are also expected to maintain high standards of professionalism, collegiality and clinical excellence.

While the group’s governing body handles major decisions, physicians are encouraged to provide input on matters affecting their work. Recent scheduling changes were made after physicians requested greater flexibility to accept additional shifts.

The first week focuses on orientation. During the first month, the new physician generally begins with more routine operating-room assignments while becoming familiar with the facilities, staff and processes.

As the physician becomes comfortable, the group gradually introduces OR and obstetric call responsibilities. The goal is to progress toward a full call schedule during the first two or three months without asking someone to accept responsibilities before they feel ready.

The Central Valley offers a much lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California while retaining the advantages of living in California.

Physicians can find excellent schools, growing neighborhoods, new construction, restaurants, shopping and abundant recreational opportunities. It can be an excellent place to own a home, raise a family, travel and build a rewarding life outside medicine.

The summers are hot, but much of the year is pleasant. Physicians visiting from outside the area are often surprised by the quality of life available here.

The group expects to continue growing as the regional hospital system expands.

Physicians may also have opportunities to become involved in future teaching or academic initiatives while continuing to practice private-practice anesthesia.

Five or ten years after joining, the goal is for physicians to say they found the clinical work rewarding, enjoyed the people they worked with and built the career and lifestyle they wanted.