- If possible, recommend having a nursing staff solely dedicated to you. If this is not possible, demand a nurse who is not shared amongst many doctors, especially if you are a part-time worker. On days in which you are not present, the more responsibilities your nurse has, the more difficult it becomes for your nurse to complete tasks that have been delegated to him/her during your days off.
- After a certain length of time has gone by after insurance claims and/or patient billings have been made, some practices will not pay for any collections received. Try to keep this length of time as minimum as possible.
- Often, physicians leave the practice. Should you decide to leave the practice, you will need some time to wrap things up without seeing new patients. Make sure that your contract allows for this time period to happen.
- Demand flexibility in your choice of dermatopathologist and Mohs surgeon.
- Having remote access to EMR is imperative, especially if your shifts are part-time.
- Malpractice insurance is extremely crucial. Even if the practice is paying for all the expenses related to your malpractice insurance, make sure you regularly check details that have been made. Often changes are made unbeknownst to you. Make it a point to your employers that you wish to see any changes in writing.
- Compatibility between you and the people and environment you will work in is important. The physicians, the staff, and management all need to meet cohesively in order to ensure a best fit. Does this particular location feel like a comfortable environment to you? Visit the workplace for at least a full day to have a better understanding of the working atmosphere.
- Checking references is important. In addition to interviewing physicians currently working there, you should also call former physicians and ask them about their previous experience with the practice. Their feedback is valuable.
- Have a security back up plan. If things don’t work out at the practice, what is your “Plan B”? If you decide after a few months that the job is not for you, can you walk away without major obligations? Always have an exit plan before entering.
- Pay attention to who authority figures are. Who is in charge of the physicians? Is it a senior doctor or perhaps a lay president? How are disagreements handled when they arise? Is there standard protocol for arbitration?
- How do physicians treat the other staff members? Do doctors handle the employees in a professional manner, or are lawsuits not uncommon? Are they treated with respect and professionalism? Are staff members given clear job descriptions, or are they expected to figure out job completion methods on their own?
Dermatology Career and Education Resources
