Some Practical Advice on Reviewing a Contract

     You are at that stage in your job search where you have found the position you’re interested in, you have made the trip to the community, met with the key decision makers, spent the afternoon with the realtor and you now have an offer in hand. Unless you minored in contract law while you were completing your medical training or have a spouse who practices law, you are now facing a rather daunting task of wading through the twenty plus pages of an agreement. The goal is to make certain all the things promised to you have made it into the document.

     So, what is a highly educated individual inclined to do? The first thought is usually to have the contract reviewed by an attorney. At some point, that course of action may make sense. However, I would like to offer up a bit of practical advice that should help you save some time and a few dollars.

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     First, if you are just beginning the process and have set up a time to interview, ask them for a copy of their agreement. Most places will be willing to send a copy without any numbers in it. This is often referred to as a boilerplate version. By having the document in advance you will be able to read through it and prepare some questions. Once on the interview, you will have a chance to ask those questions to the appropriate person. Questions regarding the contract are almost always easier to cover in person.

     Another resource that may not come immediately to mind is that friendly recruiter who initially introduced you to the job. Hopefully they have stayed engaged in the process and have been helping out along the way. Over the course of a year, that recruiter will help coordinate anywhere from 50 to 100 interviews. If they have been in the business of recruiting for more than a few years they will have read through hundreds of different physician contracts. Through necessity and sheer volume, they have likely become very proficient and knowledgeable in this area. By asking your recruiter to help you review and understand the contract, you will be saving both time and money.

     This process will help you narrow down the major areas of concern. In some cases you may find a lawyer will not be needed and in other cases you will be able to take specific concerns to your attorney for their advice. By having them review specific concerns, instead of the entire contract, you will be reducing the amount of time they spend on your behalf. This will save you money.

     Analyzing an offer can seem daunting from the start. Utilizing the expertise of those individuals who work in health care staffing on a day-to-day basis can save you time, unnecessary worry, and also a few dollars.
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Chris Cross is a Senior Search Consultant at Fidelis Partners. 
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