How 3RNET Network Coordinators Can Help You Navigate the Safety Net Job Search

Insights from Pennsylvania’s Coordinator, Caitlin Wilkinson

After three years serving as the residency coordinator for Penn State University in Harrisburg’s Internal Medicine Program, Caitlin Wilkinson now works for the Pennsylvania Primary Care Association. Today, part of her work includes being Pennsylvania’s 3RNET Network Coordinator, where she now helps connect health professionals to meaningful careers in safety net facilities across the state.

Her transition into recruitment was smoother than expected, thanks in part to her residency program experience. “I have zero medical training,” she said. “So getting to know some of the lingo was the steepest learning curve when I started…now I feel like I can at least understand what they are talking about.”

That understanding has become one of her strongest assets as a 3RNET Network Coordinator. Knowing how residency programs function from the inside out has helped her better support candidates searching for jobs in underserved areas. “I have a little bit of a leg up,” she said. “Understanding some of the dynamics of the major players and who the best person to reach out to is in those programs.”

As someone who’s been behind the scenes, Wilkinson knows how to navigate relationships with key residency staff—including program directors, who hold significant influence over resident engagement, and chief residents, who help shape the culture and interests of their cohorts. But she’s also quick to emphasize the unsung heroes: the program coordinators.

“They’re the people that are making things happen,” she said. “While directors make the high-level decisions, program coordinators are the boots on the ground—much like 3RNET Network Coordinators.”

That boots-on-the-ground mentality is exactly what 3RNET Network Coordinators across the country bring to the table for job seekers. Whether you’re a new graduate or transitioning into rural or underserved care, Network Coordinators are here to help you navigate the landscape, offer personalized guidance, and connect you with opportunities that fit your values and lifestyle.

One of Wilkinson’s top tips for residents and job seekers? Don’t underestimate the power of face-to-face networking. She’s built valuable connections just by striking up conversations at conferences—connections that later opened doors to entire groups of residents.

3RNET Network Coordinators like Wilkinson can help residents and health professionals navigate their job search by providing unbiased education and resources. Caitlyn mentioned these topics as some she shares with residents:

• What it’s like working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
• The role of social determinants of health in patient care
• Loan repayment options for safety net providers
• Why it’s never too early to start your job search

Wilkinson also stresses the importance of highlighting the lifestyle benefits of working in rural or underserved communities. “I think being able to sell the community is important,” she said. “And the quality of life they would have if they moved there.”

3RNET Network Coordinators can play a critical role in that process—helping job seekers understand not just the job itself, but the community it’s in. Often, the most powerful connections are those made with physicians already working in those settings. “Anytime you connect with people from the health center who can sell the health center even better than you can is a win for sure,” Wilkinson addded.

If you're looking for a job in a rural or underserved area, your 3RNET Network Coordinator isn’t just a point of contact—they’re your guide, advocate, and connection to meaningful work.