Please use the following checklist to remind you of important issues to consider when searching for a job, interviewing, and writing an employment contract.

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Practice Issues

Hours / Locations

• Number of office locations?
  Will PA work in all locations?
• Regular Hours of Operation?
  Expected number of hours of work per week?
• On-call schedule: Flexible?
  By phone or in person?
  Have to go to office, ER, nursing home?
  Has compensation for these been clearly specified?
• How will holidays be covered?
• Weekends begin and end at what time?

Responsibilities

• Type of work the PA wants to do?
  Physician’s expectations of what PA will do?
• Expected number of patients to be seen each day?
• How will the physician and PA interact?
  How will supervision be provided?
  Availability of physician?
•  Relationship to others in the office?
• Other responsibilities in the practice?
  Quality assurance, in-service training
  Development of policies/procedures
  Handling of Equipment
  Supervisory Roles
• Number of hospitals where physician is privileged?
  Will PA be privileged there too?
  PA’s hospital responsibilities?
  Is hospital committee work required? Possible?
• Number of nursing homes where the physician follows patients?
  PA’s nursing home responsibilities?

Legal Issues

• Necessary paperwork filed with the state licensing board?
  Who is responsible for submitting paperwork?
• State statute / regulations reviewed with the physician?
  Rules / regulations and “gray areas” discussed?
• Nursing home regulations reviewed?
• Probationary period?
• Written contract provided?
• Physician’s malpractice policy type and coverage reviewed with PA?
  PA’s malpractice policy type and coverage discussed and acquired?
  Is tail coverage provided, if needed?
• Provision in contract for re-negotiation in event of expanded responsibilities, workload increase, reduction in services, etc.?

Business/Benefits

Insurance

• Malpractice coverage—types, limits of liability?
  Personal, AAPA endorsed occurrence policy?
  Personal claims made policy with tail coverage?
  Rider on physician’s policy?
• Health insurance provided? For dependents?
• Dental insurance provided? For dependents?
• Life insurance?
• Disability insurance?

Leave

• Annual leave?
• Paid holidays?
• Sick leave?
• Family / maternity leave?
•  Unpaid leave policy?
• Number of paid jury days?

Professional Expenses Covered

• Certification exam expense?
• Recertification exam expense?
• Annual PA conference expense?
• State Chapter CME conference expense?
• CME program expenses?
  Dollar amount available?
  Number of paid days off for CME?
• AAPA annual membership dues?
• PSPA annual membership dues?
• Professional activity in local, state, and national PA organizations permitted?
• Coverage of malpractice insurance?
• State license/ certification fees?
• Credentialing fees?

Compensation

• Hourly wages or base salary?
  How often reviewed?
• Partnership available?
• Bonus plan available?
• Profit sharing available?
• Pension provided?
• Additional compensation for on-call?
• Reimbursement of expenses?
  Travel to hospital, nursing homes, between offices or distant offices?
  Professional equipment?
  Moving expenses to start new job?