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BEFORE
YOU SIGN THE DOTTED LINE
By
Calvin Bruce
After
completing internship, residency or a grueling fellowship
program, it’s always exciting to launch a full-scale job search
and receive several outstanding job offers. Selecting the
best offer is not always an easy task, though. Sometimes young
physicians have lingering doubts after choosing the practice
where they will spend their first few years.
In
the back of their mind they hear the haunting question: "Did
I make the right choice?" Time will tell. But meanwhile,
they have made a commitment and signed a binding contract.
It’s a little late in the game to have second thoughts.
Word
to the wise: Before signing the dotted line, closely examine
all aspects of the employment opportunity and consider the
various ramifications of making a relocation move (if such
is required). Along with that, get appropriate input from
others whose personal interests, experience, and judgment
are key considerations.
The
following questions put the matter in clearer perspective.
Each deserves thoughtful reflection well in advance of acceptance
of any job offer.
Are
all terms of the offer acceptable?
To
begin with, consider the job responsibilities and other employer
expectations. What are the major duties related to daily patient
load, call duty, anticipated overtime, etc.? Additionally,
what is expected in regard to building up a clientele and
augmenting the firm’s "revenue stream"?
In
particular, some offers include the provision that the new
hire acquires board certification within a specified timeframe.
The implication is that failure to become board certified
will put one’s job in jeopardy. Is that something you can
live with as you busily focus on building a profitable practice?
For
all practical purposes, there is no such thing as a perfect
job. Most offers are appealing for certain reasons, but
have some drawbacks that can’t be easily ignored. Realistically,
you have to consider certain trade-offs that invariably accompany
any employment situation.
The
offer in question may represent a larger base salary, but
with smaller incentives or bonus potential. Or perhaps less
generous starting compensation with a faster track to partnership.
Or a longer commute to work but less on-call responsibility.
Look
at all facets of the offer objectively. Do the pro’s substantially
outweigh the con’s? From another perspective, if you were
advising a colleague concerning a similar offer, what would
you advise? Furthermore, are there any particular "red
flags" that prompt lingering hesitation to sign? Trust
your instincts. It’s better to stall for time than to make
a commitment that you will likely regret.
Has
your attorney reviewed the contract?
Only
a licensed attorney can provide in-depth legal advice regarding
the precise language and implications of an employment contract.
What Uncle Jake or sister-in-law Marge says about it really
doesn’t mean a great deal. Once you sign the document, you
are the one bound to all the terms and conditions thereof.
Increasingly,
hospitals or other medical practices attempt to draw up employment
contracts in easy-to-understand language. Even so, keep in
mind that the party that draws up the contract has their interests
primarily in mind. Your signature means that you accept what
the contract clearly states—and also subtly implies.
For
a few hundred bucks, it’s worth paying a competent attorney
to review the contract with a fine-tooth comb. Using her legal
expertise, she can identify any contract nuances or ambiguities
that might cause problems down the line, as well as suggest
appropriate contract modifications.
Getting
an attorney’s advice helps reduce anxiety prior to signing
a contract--or any subsequent regrets afterward.
Are
family members sold on the relocation?
Have
you thoroughly discussed the opportunity with family members?
This is especially important when relocation is involved.
Uprooting
a family is not easy to do, particularly when school-age children
are involved. The quality of schools in the new locale might
not match that of their current institutions.
Along
with that fact, sometimes it’s emotionally difficult for young
children to cope with relocating far from close friends and
grandparents.
Similarly,
it’s important to consider the impact of relocation on your
spouse’s career. Initially, their response might be, "Honey,
that’s a great offer. Go for it!" Later on, if your better
half has difficulty in landing an ideal job, initial enthusiasm
might sour and unspoken tensions begin to surface.
When
evaluating an offer, look at the broad picture. Consider the
ramifications for quality-of-life and a comfortable fit within
the new community. Specifically, as you and the family contemplate
making a move, it’s beneficial to talk to school officials,
religious leaders, civic association and homeowner representatives,
and other physicians who have recently moved into the area.
One
other point deserves mention. If your spouse is looking for
a professional position, perhaps the new employer has contacts
that can benefit his or her search. Making contact on the
spouse’s behalf with some local reputable recruitment firms
might pay off handsomely.
The
more comfortable everyone in the family is concerning the
move, the less likely it is that you will experience "buyer’s
remorse."
Have
you discussed the opportunity with a physician mentor?
When
considering something as important as an employment offer,
it’s helpful to solicit the advice of a professional mentor.
Is there someone in that role who can provide an objective
perspective on the issue at hand?
A
seasoned physician can steer your thinking in directions that
you might not have thought of initially. His or her input
can be extremely valuable when considering non-compensatory
factors of taking the offer. For instance:
- Reputation
of the practice and key partners.
- Malpractice
liability issues.
- Opportunity
for professional development.
- Relating
the job to long-range goals.
Ultimately,
the decision to accept or decline the employment offer rests
squarely on your shoulders. However, if you have followed
these tips and consider the broader issues addressed, you
should be all the more comfortable when signing the dotted
line. At that point you can uncork the champagne bottle!
Calvin
Bruce works as Senior Content Writer for MedCAREERS.
He
also writes for www.webmd.com
and for other healthcare publications.
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