Jay Crutchfield, M.D. is a surgeon who began his search for a non-clinical career over ten years ago. Valedictorian of his high school class, he went on to complete medical school in New York and completed his training in Iowa before moving to Arizona to work as a board certified surgeon. On New Year’s Day, 2010, Jay got involved with PRN and was put in touch with Michelle Mudge-Riley (President of Physicians Helping Physicians, a physician involved in coaching and mentoring other physicians) for help in finding his non-clinical career. Michelle and Jay worked through phone calls and e-mails for 4 months. Jay now has a full-time non-clinical job as Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Surgery at the A.T. Still School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. He was able to close his practice for good in May 2010.
What was your biggest challenge when contemplating a career change?
Actually “breaking through” from the clinical world to the non-clinical world. These jobs exist–but are “protected” and hard to find.
What role did PRN play in your transition?
I purchased Dr. McLaughlin’s book. It was good for my confidence. I also joined PRN. PRN helped me with advice and information on networking, resources and introduction to other doctors who were either going through transition or contemplating it. I also wanted someone to help me work through the transition from clinical to non-clinical because I had been trying on my own and it wasn’t working. Through PRN I was put in touch with Dr. Michelle Mudge-Riley, a member of PRN’s Expert Panel.
How did working with Dr. Mudge-Riley help you?
Michelle helped give me the confidence to keep looking.I found my job through a friend of a friend, i.e. “networking,” which is the most important part of finding “these” jobs. Michelle uses networking and teaches how to network and other approaches we don’t learn in medical school or practice.
How did you decide on the new career you chose?
I’ve been looking for YEARS. . . . just didn’t know it. I hated medicine probably from 2nd year of medical school . . . and kept looking for teaching positions and other non-clinical positions and also considered going back to school. You name it: it crossed my mind. I was going crazy just TRYING to find out WHAT I wanted to do. When the job came through to teach at a medical school: I JUMPED!
What is the best tip you could give other physicians considering a similar career change?
It takes time. LOTS of time. It isn’t about your resume (we’re all smart). It isn’t about your publications. It IS about YOU. Who are YOU? Can you hold a conversation? Can you talk in front of people? Can you CHANGE from being “the boss” to being another face on the payroll? This is why it’s helpful to get Michelle’s help and to use sites like PRN. Keep looking and MAKE NEW FRIENDS in the careers you’re thinking about. ASK questions and for help. Learn. Don’t make the same mistake twice. You went into medicine and got burned once; don’t get burned again in another career change.
