Contract Negotiation

[doc4kidz]

Hi everyone. Long time lurker here. I'm a PL-3 at a small community program in the process of applying for gen peds jobs right now. I'm geographically restricted to one mid-sized metro area in the SE due to my significant other's career (just started a new job). Luckily, there are positions available. However, all the open primary care jobs are within the area's two major health systems and completely outpatient. As I trained in a smaller area I am much more accustomed to the gen peds docs at least doing newborn rounds and I am not sure that I would be happy doing strictly outpatient.

Have you all ever heard of someone negotiating for at least newborn rounding? Would it be considered rude to ask since I knew when I applied that the jobs were 100% outpatient? The health systems both have a children's hospital and some of the practices in the system do have newborn coverage responsibilities. However, those practices are not hiring. I apologize if this is a silly question but every time I hear about contract negotiations its always about salary and I didn't know if people also negotiate their clinical responsibilities.

 

[MEN2C]

That seems like a very reasonable thing to ask. Many places have the ability to be flexible about that stuff - or they can put you into touch with people that may alllow you to moonlight inpatient and nursery.

You won't know if you don't ask.


When negotiating a contract, salary is important but not the only thing - and usually not the most important thing either (given most places are flexible within a range) - time off, patients per day, malpractice coverage, 401Ks, healthcare, support from other staff etc etc are very much important.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Hi everyone. Long time lurker here. I'm a PL-3 at a small community program in the process of applying for gen peds jobs right now. I'm geographically restricted to one mid-sized metro area in the SE due to my significant other's career (just started a new job). Luckily, there are positions available. However, all the open primary care jobs are within the area's two major health systems and completely outpatient. As I trained in a smaller area I am much more accustomed to the gen peds docs at least doing newborn rounds and I am not sure that I would be happy doing strictly outpatient.

Have you all ever heard of someone negotiating for at least newborn rounding? Would it be considered rude to ask since I knew when I applied that the jobs were 100% outpatient? The health systems both have a children's hospital and some of the practices in the system do have newborn coverage responsibilities. However, those practices are not hiring. I apologize if this is a silly question but every time I hear about contract negotiations its always about salary and I didn't know if people also negotiate their clinical responsibilities.

You can always ask and they can always say no. If by chance they do say yes though, get it in writing.

 

[doc4kidz]

Thank you both for the responses. That was a good suggestion about moonlighting MEN2C. I'll be sure to look into that. I guess I just needed reassurance that it was ok to ask. This process is so different that interviewing for residency.