Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant- Inpatient Hepatology

Local GI market

147 gastroenterologists

within 30 miles. That is 24.1 per 100,000 adults aged 45-74, 77% more than the US average (13.6).

29% of them finished medical school 30 or more years ago (US: 36%).

Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians file; Census ACS 2019-2023.

Procedure mix nearby

73% colonoscopy

Medicare fee-for-service procedures billed within 30 miles in 2024: 18,597 colonoscopies, 6,520 EGDs, 329 ERCPs, 162 EUS.

ERCP volume is thin and EUS is thin for the population, compared with the US (adjusted for Medicare Advantage share). 98% done in a hospital or surgery center; 56% by gastroenterologists.

66.6% of adults 45-75 in this county are up to date on colorectal screening, about the same as the state (65.6%).

52% of Medicare patients here are in Medicare Advantage (state: 58%). Medicare procedure counts above cover only the other 48%.

Source: CMS Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by provider and service, 2024 (fee-for-service only; services for fewer than 11 patients hidden). CMS MA penetration; CDC PLACES 2025 (2022 survey).

Cost of living

Prices in North Carolina are 5.7% below the US average.

North Carolina state income tax on $450k: about $18k (4%), single filer, before deductions. Local taxes not included. ($450k is a reference salary; this ad states none.)

Source: BEA regional price parities, 2024. State level; big metros cost more. Tax: Tax Foundation 2026 state brackets.

Hospitals and surgery centers

10 hospitals, 27 surgery centers

within 30 miles. 9 of the hospitals run an emergency department; 7 of 9 rated hold 4 or 5 CMS stars.

Nearest: Duke University Hospital (6 mi, 5 stars); Durham Va Medical Center (6 mi, 4 stars); North Carolina Specialty Hospital (6 mi).

12 of the surgery centers reported 17,808 Medicare outpatient colonoscopies in a year. More endoscopy centers usually means more ASC ownership and partnership options.

Source: CMS Care Compare, Hospital General Information and ASC Quality Reporting (ASC-12 colonoscopy cases, Medicare fee-for-service). Located by ZIP code.

State rules for your contract

Noncompete: Courts decide

No physician-specific statute. Courts decide case by case whether the time, distance and scope are reasonable.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: member (faster multi-state licensing).

State law summary, not legal advice. Have a contract lawyer read your agreement. IMLC states; all states.

Visas (H-1B / J-1)

No H-1B filings for GI physicians from this employer in the data we hold. That does not mean it will not sponsor.

All GI H-1B filings in North Carolina: 6, median $470k.

This county has no current primary care shortage designation. State J-1 waiver contacts (3RNET).

Source: US Dept. of Labor LCA disclosure data (certified H-1B, FY2024-FY2026); HRSA HPSA data. All GI H-1B employers