Published March 1, 2025

This series highlights unique and diverse career opportunities for healthcare professionals looking to transition away from traditional roles. Each post provides an overview of the job, qualifications required, and potential salary ranges, though these may vary by location and employer and information available on the actual job post. If this job isn’t a good fit for your credentials and background, then please click here to view all Job Spotlights.

If you’re a physician looking to step away from full-time clinical practice but still want to have a meaningful impact on healthcare quality, a Surveyor role with The Joint Commission (JCAHO) could be an ideal fit. This position allows both full-time and part-time opportunities, offering flexibility for those seeking a better work-life balance. There are also multiple positions open; this one is for a hospital position, but I also saw openings for OB/GYN, ambulatory care, and pathology.

What Does a Physician Surveyor Do?

Physician Surveyors conduct on-site hospital accreditation surveys to evaluate healthcare organizations’ compliance with Joint Commission standards. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Assessing hospital policies and procedures to ensure patient safety and quality care standards are met.

• Reviewing medical records and interviewing staff to gauge adherence to accreditation requirements.

• Providing education and feedback to healthcare organizations on best practices and areas for improvement.

Who’s a Good Fit for This Role?

This role is best suited for experienced physicians who have:

• Current board certification in a relevant specialty.

• At least five years of recent clinical experience in a hospital setting.

• Experience in quality improvement, hospital administration, or peer review processes (a plus but not always required).

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as surveyors work closely with hospital leadership and frontline staff.

• Ability to travel 100% for work.

Compensation & Negotiation Considerations

The job listing states a salary range where the minimum and maximum are identical, which suggests a set salary rather than a negotiable range. I assume that’s for full-time, as the listing does not specify part-time pay. However, it’s always worth discussing:

• Potential for bonuses or incentives based on travel frequency or additional responsibilities.

• Flexible work schedules that fit individual needs.

• Per diem or reimbursement policies for travel and accommodations.

• With a job that includes travel, always confirm that you get to keep any airline miles or hotel points that you acquire.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, and Retirement are included for both part- and full-time roles.

Why Consider This Role?

• Flexible work options: Part-time and full-time availability. The post specifies that you can work 2, 3, or 4 weeks a month.

• Less clinical stress: No direct patient care, but still contributes to improving healthcare quality. However, because of the option to work part-time, you still have the time to see patients when not traveling if you are not ready to leave patient care completely.

• Travel opportunities: Ideal for those who enjoy visiting different healthcare settings and engaging with diverse medical teams.

• A new challenge: Perfect for physicians looking to pivot into healthcare administration, policy, or quality assurance.

How I Found This Job

Last week’s post got me thinking about what other roles JCAHO hires for. I originally looked to see if they had positions for nurses, but that search led me to this physician role.

If you’re interested in similar positions, try checking organizations that regulate or accredit healthcare facilities—you might be surprised at what you find! Some other accrediting bodies that hire healthcare professionals include:

• CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) – Specializes in accrediting rehab and behavioral health facilities

• URAC (Utilization Review Accreditation Commission) – Accredits organizations in areas like telehealth and case management.

• AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care) – Accredits ambulatory care organizations, including surgery centers and urgent care facilities.

• CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) – While not an accreditor in the same way, CMS has surveyor roles for regulatory compliance.

If you’re exploring non-clinical roles, these organizations can be great places to search for similar opportunities.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a physician looking for a non-clinical career path that still leverages your expertise, this JCAHO Physician Surveyor role offers a compelling alternative. With the ability to choose part-time or full-time work, it’s a great way to stay active in healthcare without the demands of direct patient care.

There are several physician surveyor positions currently open within JCAHO, so if this one is closed, please check their careers page for similar openings.

Did you apply? Let me know in the comments!

Edit 8/24/25- This job post is no longer active. If you are interested in this type of role though, be sure to check out JCAHO’s career site!

Disclaimer: This blog post is independently written and not affiliated with or endorsed by JCAHO. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official job posting and consider signing up for their Talent Network.

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