Signing a contract with an employer is a big step, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Physician contracts often run for several years, and getting out of one can be near to impossible. (At the very least you’ll run up a costly legal bill.) So how can you have greater confidence when signing an employment contract? Enter job shadowing. It’s the career equivalent of test driving a car before making the purchase. Here are seven insights job shadowing can provide about a potential workplace.
Insight #1: Job shadowing gives you insights about the staff.
Chances are you’ve only met a handful of people in the interview process, such as the practice owner and office manager. What about the nurses and medical assistants who you would interact with on every patient visit? And what about your colleagues – other dermatology providers? Use the job shadowing experience to interview them. How long have they worked at the practice? What do they like most about their job?
You can also use your interactions to gauge body language, friendliness and receptivity to feedback or change. Sometimes what isn’t explicitly said is most telling.
Insight #2: Job shadowing gives you insights into team interactions.
Use this opportunity to analyze the emotional health of the work environment. How do dermatology providers treat their staff? Is this a well-functioning work team? Do you hear gossip and malicious talk? Think about whether the team dynamics would be an added stressor.
Insight #3: Job shadowing gives you insights about the specific location.
You may have interviewed at a corporate office or main clinic, or through an outside recruiter, so be sure to ask to shadow at the exact location where you would practice.
Insight #4: Job shadowing gives you insights about what your everyday work life would be.
While you may have been told about the clinic’s patient population, see if that matches with the patients you see while shadowing. Think about whether you would like to see these type of patients (e.g., teens for acne, elderly for skin cancer) every day. Ask yourself, “Can I see myself treating patients like these day in and day out?”
The same can be said for the needs those patients would have of you. Ask yourself, “Would I want to perform these types of procedures and treatments day in and day out?”
Insight #5: Job shadowing gives you insights into the work demands.
Check on fudging the truth in the interview process. Sometimes employers in their eagerness to hire aren’t truly honest about an everyday work life.Use job shadowing to put what you’ve been told to the test. See how many patients a clinician is given in a day.You can also see how many other tasks a clinician has to perform, such as prescription refills and calls to insurance carriers.
In considering work demands, ask yourself whether the clinic operates at a sustainable pace, and at a pace that will work for you. Consider how the demands of this role will impact your personal life and family.
Insight #6: Job shadowing gives you insights about the clinic’s patient philosophy.
See first-hand if what you’ve been told in interview process is true.Does the provider you are shadowing – and the clinic, by extension – offer compassionate care? How honest is the dermatologist when outlining the prognosis of a challenging condition?
Insight #7: Job shadowing gives you insights about the patient experiences.
Considering the patient experience is incredibly important for the long-term success of the practice. Are patients frustrated with the high wait time or lack of compassionate care? Are patients grateful and appreciative of the caring staff? Do staff have strong relationships with their patients or is the care provided in an impersonal manner?
Some final recommendations: Ask for full-day shadowing, if possible. That will give you a more complete picture of a clinic work day. Ultimately, keep these questions in mind: Do I see myself here? Would I want to be colleagues with these staff members?
Job shadowing takes time and effort, but it very well may provide the insight you need. It may reveal that the job isn’t what it was advertised to be or perhaps not the right fit for you. However, it may provide the insight you need to sign your contract with confidence. Don’t have signer’s remorse. Make job shadowing a must-do before signing any employment contract.