Important, but Less-Often-Considered Aspects of a Physician Job Search

A veteran emergency physician shares his insights into some lesser explored aspects of choosing a great physician job. Topics covered include job shadowing, evaluating physician density, advantages smaller job markets, contract review, and revealing questions to ask during interviews.

Key Takeaways from Medscape’s 2019 Physician Compensation Report

According to Medscape’s annual Physician Compensation Report, overall physician compensation has been increasing despite the changing political and economic healthcare environment.

Physician Job Search: How to “Find the Right Fit”

Make a list of the non-negotiables in work and career— and don’t shortchange your goals in service to a paycheck. Most physicians work well over the standard 40-hour work week and still take their work home with them; it’s in our best interest to ensure we choose our work environment wisely.

Physician Compensation Explained

Fee-for-service medicine is still how most practices and health systems generate revenue. Often, production bonuses are the most significant income factor, after base salary. It’s also the most complex and confusing. These are some of the methods used to calculate a bonus…

Is that Physician Signing Bonus too Good to be True?

You’re flipping through the classifieds section at the back of your specialty’s national journal, and you catch sight of a sign-on bonus package that makes your jaw drop to the floor. Before you start dreaming about around the world vacations,  a summer home, or simply paying off your student loan debt, you’ll need to take a little time to research if that bonus is really too good to be true. 

How to Receive a Fair Salary

It’s time to look for a new job. That could mean you’ve finally earned your degree and been certified, or you’re relocating, or you just don’t see a way to grow in your current job. There are a lot of unknowns inherent to seeking a new job. Where? Why? When? You can never completely know everything there is to know about a company, no matter how thorough you research a position. Some fields are becoming so crowded that you may not have much choice, and the job chooses you. Whatever the case, compensation must be discussed – no one’s favorite task of coming on board a new company.

Physicians, Don’t Let These Excuses Stop Your Salary Negotiations 

Yes! No! Definitely! Definitely not! Maybe. Yes, it’s a definite maybe! Early, late, half-time, never?  You first. NEVER you first. When? How? Where? You changed your mind. Paper, email, text, a singing telegram? Get in their face; be demure. NEVER use these words; ALWAYS use these words. Is the market up or down? Wear blue. Wear black. Wear scrubs.

Such are the agonies, uncertainties, and the perseveration of negotiating a salary. You shouldn’t have to suffer so much – you did enough of that during your training. I’m providing some excuses you can use to avoid the discomfort of salary negotiation. Try them on before your interview. You’ll find something. If you don’t find a good fit, don’t worry. The universe never runs out of excuses.

How Can Physicians Ask For & Get a Raise?

Physicians often find themselves earning a similar income year after year, or even a bit less. Many struggle through this, but years ago a mentor shared a few tactics to improve the playing field. Some of these options may be intuitive, but without directly asking for an increase in compensation, you will be in the same position twelve months from now. 

Top Reasons to Consider Small Town Physician Jobs

Unless you grew up in a small town, practicing medicine in a rural community may not be every new doctor’s dream job.  But when the time comes for a new doctor to choose a home base, smaller towns have a […]

Physician Satisfaction in Employed Settings

The Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2015 was recently published, stating, “Last year saw some modest good news for most physicians.” More than 19,500 physicians, across 25 specialties, responded to Medscape’s compensation survey. The report addresses compensation, hours worked, changes in […]