Clinical Director gig

[quinsy]

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hey folks...

I just started my first 'real' job after fellowship in academia. I've only been here for about a month and a half.

I hear that the clinical director of the ED job is up for grabs, and I became interested. I am the kind of nerd who loves admin stuff, and I would like to buy off some of my clinical hours. I would give the job 100% although I'm aware this is a job many people would hate to have because of the frustrations.

I have a few questions about this, though.
- I'm a short timer at this job and just getting started in EM in general, are people (namely my chair) gonna laugh at me if I put my name in the ring? It seems crazy to be saying "hey, I just got here... mind if I start helping to run the place?"
- How do I go about expressing interest if I do want to do it? Apparently they want people to e-mail expressing interest, but I'm having trouble thinking of how to phrase it. "hey, I know this may seem unexpected, because I just got started, but I'm interested in the clinical director job" sounds a little un-assertive.

anyone who has feedback on the choice of taking a clinical director job at a big academic place, it would be interesting to hear that too. I know it's probably a 'grass is always greener' scenario, but right now even sitting in interminable meetings arguing with unionized nurses sounds appealing compared to working this much clinical time.

 

[southerndoc]

I was only an ER doc for a year and a half out of residency when I was offered an assistant director position. I was actually offered a directorship at another hospital within my group, but turned it down because it was far away. Your fellowship can be considered a year or two of practice since you were working clinically as a fellow.

The experience has been invaluable. I really love it, but it does have its drawbacks. Being constantly on call for backup or someone being sick does put a strain on your social and family life. Being awakened at 3 am about a sentinel event isn't fun either. Neither is spending numerous hours/month in meetings and talking with patients who are complaining about her service.

You're also responsible for things that happen in your group. If your customer satisfaction scores aren't up to par or you aren't meeting whatever metrics your health system deems important, then it may be you that loses his job.

Having said that, I really do enjoy it. I've always liked business things as well as administrative issues.

 

[WilcoWorld]

Having never done the job I can't speak too intelligently on it, but having seen my colleagues do the job I can say with confidence that it's not for me. When I'm on my 1 call day a month now I'm on edge all day, so the idea of being constantly on call is very unappealing to me.

As for your question about applying as a newbie - I was offered a Clinical Director job after <2 years at my current job, and during my most recent job search one place asked if I'd be interested in being a Clinical Director during the phone interview. So it's clearly not unheard of for new guys and gals to take such positions. Obviously better CD jobs are going to to be harder to come by.

 

[Arcan57]

Having never done the job I can't speak too intelligently on it, but having seen my colleagues do the job I can say with confidence that it's not for me. When I'm on my 1 call day a month now I'm on edge all day, so the idea of being constantly on call is very unappealing to me.

As for your question about applying as a newbie - I was offered a Clinical Director job after <2 years at my current job, and during my most recent job search one place asked if I'd be interested in being a Clinical Director during the phone interview. So it's clearly not unheard of for new guys and gals to take such positions. Obviously better CD jobs are going to to be harder to come by.

I was made assistant director 7 mo out of residency, although no one has offered (and I wouldn't accept) becoming director yet. Depending on the shop and how much the CEO and COO are focusing on the ED, it may be showing up to committee meetings and responding to patient complaints. In places were PG scores are holy writ or with demanding medical staff, it can be a hellish gauntlet that chews up and spits out high-functioning ED docs. My current AD job is about 15hrs/wk of administrative duties, much of them inconveniently scheduled meetings. For this I'm getting paid slightly more per month than I would working an extra clinical shift.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I see no reason to ask if it is something you have geunine interest in. Worst case, they say no.. I think someone that has an EM fellowship behind them would be viewed as a bit more polished. Have you had any other adminstrative duties in the past? Chief resident, hospital commitees, ACEP/SAEM commitees? If so, those would be good things to point out....