You’ve worked hard to get here. If you’re a practicing physician, you’ve built a practice and a reputation that you’re proud of. If you’re a medical officer transitioning from the military to private practice, you’ve worked hard in service of your country and want to make sure you avoid missteps as you move to a profit-focused environment.If you’re finishing training and about to start your career as an attending, you’ve survived and excelled during medical school, residency, and maybe even a fellowship. You’ve left nothing to chance getting to where you are today. Your employment agreement should be no exception.
Just as your patients need you for expert care, you need an experienced advisor that can protect your interests. Your employment contract isn’t a standardized apartment lease or mobile phone contract and it’s not just a formality. It’s a highly negotiated document that establishes the terms of your practice as a physician.
Being represented by an experienced lawyer isn’t about being pushy or contentious. It’s about being smart. It’s about having a set of legal eyes looking at things. It’s about establishing a dialogue. It’s about asking questions and finding common ground with your prospective employer. Your employer uses an attorney for its contract, and you should, too. It’s the sensible thing to do.