Clinical Component

Practice Medicine, Not Just Metrics

As you round on your patients at Henry County Medical Center, you'll immediately notice the difference in how you're able to practice. With an average daily census of just 14-18 patients (maximum 33 across all hospitalists), you can truly focus on each case with the attention it deserves. Unlike high-volume settings where 25+ patients per day is the norm, here you'll have time to think through complex presentations, review literature when needed, and develop thoughtful treatment plans.

Your patients primarily present with conditions you're comfortable managing - COPD exacerbations, heart failure, various infections - but the rural setting means you'll occasionally encounter more diverse presentations that keep your skills sharp. The patients appreciate a physician who takes time with them, and you'll find yourself building meaningful relationships even in the inpatient setting. When Mrs. Johnson returns with her third COPD exacerbation of the year, you'll already know her history, her concerns, and her home situation - continuity that leads to better care and greater professional satisfaction.

A Day in Your Practice

Your typical day unfolds at a pace that allows for thorough, thoughtful medicine:

Morning handoff (7:00 am): Receive concise updates from the night APP on any overnight developments
Interdisciplinary rounds (7:30 am): Collaborate with nursing and case management to coordinate care
Patient rounds (8:00-11:30 am): See your patients with time for comprehensive evaluation and meaningful discussion
Admissions/consults (varies): Depending on the day's schedule, you may handle morning admissions (7am-noon) or afternoon admissions (noon-7pm)
Documentation and orders (throughout day): Complete your work in the current Altera EMR (with transition to Epic planned within 1-2 years)
Family discussions (as needed): Time is built in for important conversations without feeling rushed
Collaborative care planning (ongoing): Work with your colleagues to ensure seamless care
Typical completion (3:00-4:00 pm): Most days end earlier than the scheduled 7:00 pm shift end

Work With Capable Partners, Not Just "Coverage"

The clinical support at Henry County Medical Center enhances your practice rather than just providing basic coverage:

Experienced APPs handle initial workups, assist with discharges, and provide reliable night coverage
Additional APP joining in April to further strengthen the team
Emergency Department physicians available 24/7 who can manage procedures and stabilize critical patients
On-site pulmonology with Dr. Curry/Carruth (Monday-Friday)
General surgery and orthopedics available most of the time
Established transfer relationships with Jackson and Nashville for cardiology and neurology cases
24-hour laboratory and imaging services including CT, MRI, and full diagnostic capabilities

You'll appreciate the balance between having support when you need it while maintaining clinical autonomy in your practice.

The Right Mix of Independence and Support

Unlike both extremes of the hospitalist spectrum - facilities with minimal support where you're constantly scrambling or overstructured environments where protocols override clinical judgment - Henry County Medical Center offers the sweet spot:

Clinical autonomy to make decisions based on your training and experience
Reasonable subspecialty support with pulmonology, general surgery, orthopedics, and other key specialists
Clear transfer protocols for cases requiring higher levels of care
Collaborative nursing staff who communicate effectively about patient needs
Manageable admissions flow averaging 4-15 daily (with weekends typically slower)
Light call burden with minimal overnight phone calls and rare in-person returns

Focusing on Patient Care, Not Paperwork

Your administrative burden is kept reasonable, allowing you to focus on actual patient care:

APP assistance with discharges and paperwork
Current EMR system (Altera) with transition to Epic within 1-2 years
Manageable documentation requirements without excessive metrics-based demands
Straightforward admission process with either morning or afternoon coverage responsibilities
Reasonable discharge volume allowing for proper planning and education

Teaching Opportunities That Enrich Your Practice

For physicians who enjoy teaching, the hospital offers opportunities without the administrative burdens of full academic medicine:

Regular PA student rotations where you can make a real impact on developing clinicians
Occasional resident interactions to share your expertise
Teaching valued but not required - participate at the level you prefer
Influence the next generation of healthcare providers in a community setting

The Right Patient Population for Rewarding Hospital Medicine

The patients you'll serve at Henry County Medical Center represent the heart of community hospital medicine:

Adult patients only (no pediatrics)
Rural community population who genuinely appreciate your care
Mixed acuity levels that keep your skills sharp across the medical spectrum
Continuity with returning patients that builds rewarding long-term relationships
Patients who value time spent rather than expecting rushed interactions

At Henry County Medical Center, you'll practice hospital medicine the way it was meant to be - with the time, support, and resources to provide excellent patient care without the volume pressures that drive burnout at so many facilities. This is medicine focused on the patient, not just the numbers.