Written by: Carly Cox, YukonDocs, Locum/Physician Recruiter

Lately, I’ve been hearing comments from those outside of physician recruitment such as: “Wow, you got lucky this month” or “So you just post an ad and then wait, right?”

While well-intentioned, these comments highlight how misunderstood our profession often is. Recruitment is not about luck, nor is it as simple as posting a job ad and waiting. It is a demanding, multi-layered role that requires persistence, strategy, and resilience.

In many regions—especially smaller or rural ones—there may only be one recruiter tasked with managing every aspect of the process. That means juggling responsibilities such as:

  • Permanent and Locum Physician Recruitment

  • Onboarding and credentialing

  • Arranging travel and housing for locums

  • Retention initiatives and physician wellness support

  • Marketing through social media, job boards, and campaigns

  • Community engagement and integration

  • Medical student and resident coordination

  • Departmental physician scheduling

  • Human health resource and strategic planning

  • Organizational financial management

  • Immigration navigation and compliance

Each of these functions is critical to sustaining healthcare access in our communities. Yet, despite the scope of the role, it is often underestimated. Recruiters are expected to “make it happen,” often behind the scenes, without recognition of the complexity—or the isolation—this work can bring.

What makes this role both challenging and rewarding is the impact. Every successful recruitment means a community gains access to care, patients see a doctor closer to home, and health systems become stronger. But the journey to get there is rarely simple.

That’s why having a professional network matters. For me, the Canadian Society of Physician Recruitment (CaSPR) has been invaluable—providing a community of like-minded colleagues who understand the depth of this work, share strategies, and offer encouragement in what can sometimes feel like a solitary role.

Physician recruitment may not always be visible, but it is vital. And while the work can feel isolating, knowing that there are others across the country facing the same challenges helps us all continue moving forward—together.