A Republican state senator says he's resigning to focus on a new job.

Sen. Christopher Ottiano, a physician, is accepting a position at Neighborhood Health Plan.

Ottiano was elected in 2010 to represent District 11 in Bristol, Portsmouth and Tiverton.

State law doesn't require Ottiano to resign to take the job. But he says serving as an associate medical director will demand his time and attention.

Ottiano says he wants to be fair to his constituents and new employer.

The secretary of state's office says a special election will be called.

Ottiano is one of five Republicans in the 38-member Senate.

Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed says Ottiano's perspective was valuable, and he was "instrumental" in passing legislation to reduce overdose deaths.