Your clinical experience at Good Shepherd begins with a thoughtfully structured outpatient practice designed to prioritize both quality care and physician satisfaction. While many pediatric settings demand exhausting patient volumes that lead to rushed visits and physician burnout, you'll maintain a manageable schedule of 15–20 patients daily (averaging just 2.25 patients per hour). This intentional pacing allows you to provide comprehensive care to each child and family—truly getting to know their needs, concerns, and goals rather than rushing through appointments. Your clinic features seven well-equipped exam rooms and dedicated medical assistant support, creating an efficient workflow that maximizes your time with patients rather than paperwork.
Unlike many pediatric positions that demand excessive call or hospital coverage, your inpatient responsibilities have been carefully calibrated to maintain your skills without dominating your practice. You'll provide just eight days of inpatient coverage monthly (two days per week), creating a vital connection between hospital and clinic services. This limited coverage model allows you to maintain hospital skills without the exhaustion of frequent call—a balance rarely achieved in pediatric practice. Your inpatient work primarily involves occasional ED consultations, where your expertise helps determine appropriate care paths for pediatric patients, including stabilization for transport to the Tri-Cities or possible airlift to Portland when necessary.
Your practice at Good Shepherd offers the full spectrum of pediatric care, from welcoming newborns to guiding adolescents through their developmental journey. Your team will perform 24-hour post-delivery exams for approximately 385 newborns annually, establishing the foundation for their healthcare journey. While the hospital doesn't maintain a NICU, you'll develop valuable skills in assessing which infants need higher levels of care. For children with mental health needs, you'll collaborate with the pediatric psychiatrist who rotates through the clinic several times monthly, participating in an integrated model where initial consultations occur in person with follow-ups via telehealth.
Your work environment at Good Shepherd stands apart from the isolated practice common in many healthcare settings. Here, you'll join a collaborative pediatric team that values communication, mutual support, and shared knowledge. The clinical team maintains a friendly, collegial atmosphere where consultation between providers is welcomed rather than viewed as an imposition. This collaborative spirit extends beyond pediatrics to the entire medical staff, creating opportunities for true interdisciplinary care that benefits your patients and enriches your professional experience.
This practice offers what many pediatricians seek throughout their careers: the opportunity to provide excellent care across the full spectrum of pediatric medicine without the overwhelming pace and pressure common in other settings. You'll maintain both outpatient and inpatient skills in a sustainable model that prevents burnout while encouraging professional growth. Unlike high-volume practices where physician satisfaction is sacrificed for productivity, Good Shepherd has created a pediatric practice that honors both the art and science of pediatric medicine—allowing you to truly make a difference in children's lives while preserving your passion for the specialty.