Doctor Employment Lawyer Blog

Private practice can be extremely rewarding for doctors, but the practice of medicine is not a one-size-fits all profession and physicians have many choices today. Between hospital employment, flex positions, and locums tenens, new doctors can craft a medical career unlike those of the past.

For doctors who want to avoid the "business of medicine," hospital staff positions or temporary locum tenens positions may be a better option. You have the ability to negotiate a long term or short term physician employment contract, depending on your career and personal goals. Knowing your options is the first step to determining where you want to go with your career.

Regardless of which option works best for you, they each bring with them unique issues. In private practice you may be expected to build your own patient base and focu on practice development. In a hospital setting, you may be dealing with more bureaucracy. And most locum tenens positions require that you do a little of everything.

Earlier this month, the Illinois legislature passed a workers' compensation reform bill that slashed reimbursements to doctors who treat injured workers by 30%. Clearly, insurance companies will save big from the new law, but doctors are once again asked to do the same amount of work for less pay. In turn, practice revenues will be affected and, of course, so will doctor employment agreements.

I have repeatedly mentioned the trend towards tying physician employment compensation to receivables in this blog. A medical practice with

As a physician negotiating an employment contract, you need to be aware of the make-up of your potential employer's patients. Even if your compensation is not directly tied to receivables, collections determine the viability of a practice and the security of your employment. Due diligence is not just a practice for business owners. To establish a long term, successful career as a physician, you have to examine your employer's practice to the same degree you would examine your own.