You will join a practice defined by physician longevity and genuine collegiality. The current full-time ENT physician has practiced with Sanford Bismarck for nine years, and the previous full-time physician spent 12 years with the group before transitioning to part-time status. That physician returned specifically because of the positive work environment, a telling indicator of practice culture. This is not a revolving door department struggling with retention; it is a stable team where physicians build careers.
The part-time ENT works a 2-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off schedule, providing consistent coverage and call support. One additional ENT in the community participates in the call rotation, further distributing after-hours responsibilities. A third ENT has been identified for 2027, bringing the practice toward its long-term target of approximately 3.5 FTEs.
The APP team functions as a genuine extension of the physician workforce rather than a parallel track requiring constant supervision. Two full-time nurse practitioners and one part-time NP independently manage routine cases including tubes, tonsils, and straightforward follow-ups. They triage inpatient consults during daytime hours, escalating to the physician only for urgent or emergent cases. This model keeps your clinic schedule focused on complex patients and surgical candidates while ensuring routine care continues without bottlenecks.
The NP team's independence reflects both their clinical competence and the trust the practice has developed through years of collaboration. You will work alongside colleagues who handle their scope confidently, freeing you to practice at the top of your license.
Each physician in clinic works with two medical assistants or LPNs who manage rooming, documentation support, and patient flow. This ratio ensures efficient turnover between patients and allows you to focus on clinical decision-making rather than administrative tasks.
The surgical side features a full anesthesia team of MDAs and CRNAs supporting all OR cases. Dedicated audiology services are available on-site for hearing evaluations and hearing aid fittings, and the oncology team is co-located for streamlined multidisciplinary consultations when head and neck cases require coordinated care.
The ENT department operates with a collegial, team-based approach where physicians, APPs, and support staff function as integrated partners rather than isolated silos. Administrative support is strong, and physicians are encouraged to participate in leadership opportunities, committees, and outreach development. The culture emphasizes physician autonomy within a framework of mutual support, and the longevity of current team members speaks to a work environment that physicians genuinely want to remain part of.