Physician Employment in New Jersey: Trends, Opportunities & Why Choose Advocare

New Jersey’s healthcare landscape is a prime destination for physicians employment. With one of the most robust and diverse healthcare systems in the country, the state offers a rich mix of hospitals, academic medical centers, private practices, and physician-led groups—providing a wide range of employment options tailored to every stage of a medical career.


Whether you're drawn to the fast-paced environment of a major metro hospital, the continuity of care found in suburban group practices, or the close-knit feel of a rural health clinic, New Jersey’s geographic and demographic diversity makes it easy to find the right professional fit. The state's dense and varied population also ensures a consistent demand for healthcare services across specialties.


For job-seeking physicians, understanding employment trends is key to navigating today’s evolving healthcare market. These insights help identify growth specialties, emerging care models, and areas with physician shortages—empowering candidates to align their career path with high-impact opportunities.


With physician-led practices gaining traction, New Jersey also presents exciting prospects for those seeking a blend of clinical autonomy and collaborative care. These models are reshaping how care is delivered, emphasizing innovation, flexibility, and better patient outcomes.


By tapping into New Jersey’s dynamic healthcare environment, physicians can find not just a job—but a place to grow, lead, and make a lasting difference in the communities they serve.

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Table of Contents

I. Overview of the Healthcare Landscape

II. The State of Physician Employment in New Jersey

III. Top Specialties in Demand Across NJ

  • Pediatrics
  • Internal medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Behavioral health

IV. What Physicians Look for in Employment

V. Why New Jersey Is an Attractive State for Physicians

VI. Why Physicians Choose Advocare Doctors

VII. How to Join Advocare Doctors

VIII. Recap of Physician Employment in New Jersey & How to Join Advocare Doctors

The State of Physician Employment in New Jersey

New Jersey is facing both challenges and opportunities in physician employment. According to the New Jersey Hospital Association, the state has seen persistent shortages in primary care, behavioral health, and pediatric care—issues that are projected to worsen due to physician retirements and population growth. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortfall of thousands of physicians across the U.S. by 2034, with New Jersey among the states most affected especially related to primary care.


Urban areas like Newark, Jersey City, and Camden continue to draw healthcare workers due to their dense populations and the presence of large hospital systems and academic medical centers. However, the greatest gaps in physician availability are often in suburban and rural communities, where fewer resources and longer distances to care facilities create barriers for patients.


Key drivers behind these workforce dynamics include an aging population that requires more frequent and complex care, shifts in healthcare policy such as Medicaid expansion, and a rise in chronic illnesses that demand ongoing management. In response, many healthcare organizations are expanding recruitment efforts, investing in training programs, and exploring telehealth and team-based care models to meet patient needs across the state.

Top Specialties in Demand in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the demand for physicians spans a variety of specialties, each offering unique employment opportunities across different healthcare settings. Understanding the landscape of these specialties can help medical professionals make informed decisions about their career paths. A few of the more in-demand specialties, include pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and behavioral health.

  • Pediatrics

    A pediatrician is responsible for providing medical care to infants, children, and adolescents. Their duties include diagnosing and treating illnesses, monitoring growth and development, administering vaccinations, offering guidance on nutrition and preventive care, and supporting parents in managing their child's health from birth through young adulthood.

  • Family Medicine

    A family medicine physician provides comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, performing routine check-ups, managing preventive care and screenings, coordinating specialist referrals, and promoting overall wellness for individuals and families.

  • Internal Medicine

    Internists are highly sought after in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Hospitalist roles, which focus on inpatient care, are common, as are outpatient positions in primary care offices or multispecialty practices. Opportunities also exist in chronic disease management programs and accountable care organizations (ACOs), where internists play a key role in value-based care initiatives.

  • Behavioral Health

    A behavioral health physician, often a psychiatrist, is responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and mood disorders. Their duties include conducting psychiatric evaluations, prescribing and monitoring medications, developing treatment plans, and working collaboratively with therapists and primary care providers to support patients’ overall mental and emotional well-being.










Why New Jersey Is an Ideal State for Physicians

  • Location: Close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia makes New Jersey an attractive place to live and work, offering physicians access to major medical conferences, research hubs, and referral networks while enjoying more affordable suburban or coastal living.
  • Diversity: The state features a mosaic of communities, from densely populated urban centers to rural townships, each with unique healthcare needs. This diversity offers physicians a broad range of practice settings and the chance to serve varied patient populations.
  • Reputation: New Jersey is home to some of the nation’s top hospitals and academic institutions, including Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Hackensack Meridian Health. These institutions offer not only excellent training and employment opportunities but also leadership in cutting-edge medical research and clinical care.
  • Policy Support: State-level healthcare policies encourage access to care, support telemedicine adoption, and promote value-based care models. Programs aimed at loan forgiveness and incentives for working in underserved areas further enhance New Jersey’s appeal to physicians.


With its strategic location, cultural richness, and robust healthcare infrastructure, New Jersey provides a strong foundation for both early-career and experienced physicians seeking professional growth, stability, and a meaningful impact on community health.

What Physicians Should Look for in Employment Opportunities

Physicians today seek more than just a paycheck. The best employment opportunities offer:


  • A healthy work-life balance
  • Autonomy in clinical decision-making
  • Collaborative work environments
  • Administrative and EHR support
  • Competitive compensation and benefits


Physicians also value opportunities for leadership, growth, and having a voice in organizational decisions.


For physicians working within a private practice, working within a physician-led organization like Advocare Doctors delivers all of this—and more.


Advocare empowers physicians by combining the independence of private practice with the strength and support of a larger, physician-governed medical group. As one of the region’s most respected physician-owned organizations, Advocare allows its providers to focus on patient care while benefiting from shared business resources, compliance support, and a network of like-minded professionals.


Key benefits of joining Advocare include:


  • Physician-Owned and Governed Structure: Advocare's model empowers physicians with clinical autonomy while providing the benefits of being part of a larger, respected medical group. This structure ensures that clinical decisions are made by those directly involved in patient care. advocaredoctors.com
  • Comprehensive Support Services: Physicians at Advocare have access to a wide range of services, including care management, billing, compliance, marketing support, and more. This infrastructure allows doctors to focus on patient care without the administrative burdens of running a practice independently. advocaredoctors.com+1advocaredoctors.com+1
  • Opportunities for Growth and Leadership: Advocare offers pathways for physicians to take on leadership roles within the organization, fostering professional development and involvement in decision-making processes.
  • Robust Referral Network: Being part of a large, multi-specialty group provides physicians with an extensive network of peers for referrals and collaborative care, enhancing patient outcomes and professional satisfaction.
  • Advanced Technology and EHR Support: Advocare invests in modern electronic health record systems and IT support, streamlining workflows and improving patient care coordination.
  • Positive Physician Experiences: Physicians within Advocare have expressed high levels of satisfaction, citing the ability to practice medicine with autonomy, achieve financial independence, and have a meaningful voice within the organization. advocaredoctors.com


In today’s evolving healthcare environment, joining a physician-led group like Advocare means being part of a community that prioritizes physician well-being, patient outcomes, and sustainable growth.

Why Choose Advocare Doctors

Choosing employment with Advocare offers physicians a unique blend of autonomy, support, and growth opportunities within a physician-owned and governed organization. With over 800 providers across more than 250 locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, Advocare stands out as one of the region's largest independent multi-specialty medical groups.


For physicians seeking a supportive environment that values independence, collaboration, and excellence in patient care, Advocare presents a compelling opportunity.

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How to Join Advocare

New Jersey continues to stand out as an ideal state for physicians, offering diverse practice environments, access to top-tier healthcare institutions, and policies that support professional growth and patient care. In this dynamic landscape, Advocare holds a unique position as one of the region’s leading physician-owned and physician-led organizations. Its commitment to clinical autonomy, collaborative culture, and comprehensive support systems makes it an attractive choice for healthcare professionals seeking meaningful and sustainable careers.


If you're a physician seeking a rewarding career in a collaborative and physician-led environment, Advocare offers exceptional opportunities to join one of the region’s most respected medical groups. We welcome providers across a wide range of specialties, including pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and other primary care fields. The hiring process at Advocare is designed to be personalized and supportive—beginning with an initial conversation to understand your professional goals, followed by tailored introductions to practices that match your vision and values. Whether you're looking to join an existing Advocare practice or explore the potential to establish your own, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more about current physician job openings or how to start your journey with Advocare, please visit our Careers Page or reach out directly to our team at careers@advocaredoctors.com.


Ready to make your next move? Explore opportunities at Advocare today.

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