Physicians are frequently asked to sign employment agreements prior to joining a practice.  Keith Clouse, a Dallas employment lawyer who regularly advises doctors regarding employment agreements, suggests that a physician contact employment law counsel when faced with a new employment agreement.  An attorney can identify a contract’s potentially detrimental terms and suggest ways to revise the agreement. The attorney may assist the physician by providing behind the scenes’ advice or by negotiating with the prospective employer on the doctor’s behalf. 

Among the terms a doctor should consider when negotiating an employment contract:

• Term (the duration of the contract)
• Compensation (both salary and bonus pay)
• Reimbursement for out of pocket expenses (such as continuing medical education or certifications)
• Medical malpractice insurance
• Partnership opportunity
• Benefits (health insurance, sick leave, disability pay, vacation days, etc.)
• On-call obligations
• Separation (the procedures and consequences when a party ends the relationship prior to the term’s expiration)
• Non-compete agreement (whether the doctor will be prohibited from competing against the employer upon separation)
• Access to patient records upon separation
• Dispute resolution (through arbitration or litigation)

If you would like to speak to an employment law attorney regarding an employment contract, contact the employment lawyers at Clouse Dunn LLP at info@cdklawyers.com.