EM Attendings

[MS05']

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Hi everyone! I have a quick question about EM attendings and their "typical" lives as I'm a 3rd year considering EM for residency.

I know some of these questions have been asked and answered over and over again, so I'll keep them short and sweet!

1) I heard the avg attending pay scale is around 200-230k, does this sound right?
2) I've notice that it is very residency dependent, but EM residents can do anything from 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts (as a PGY-1)...but what about attendings? Would something like 16-18 8 hour shifts sound appropriate?
3) What are the attendings lifestyles like? I mean with everyother day off, do most fall into administrative work, or academics, or EMS teaching?
4) Amd last, but not least...can anyone comment on the job market?

Thanks in advance!
MS05'

 

[sweetfynesse]

i'm not an attending, but i do have ears and i can read, as well, so i'll answer some of your questions....

1. you can make as little or as much as you want depending where you work...in a city like new york, the academic attending average $150-175,000 bc the demand to be there is higher...basically, you dont have to pay someone to move to nyc. its perhaps similar in chicago too. now, if you want to move to the middle of nowhere like beaumont, tx, the pay is significantly less. i have a friend who just graduated from residency this year who was offered $350,000 to work in beamont his first year out, and that would increase to $415,000 during his second year out there--he would basically work 10-12 8 hour shifts with no admin work. so, basically, rural (less urban) settings allow you to make a lot more money...but if you're lucky you can find a place 30-40 miles from the city life, and pull in $200-250,000 easily.

2. i know attendings that work 10 10 hour shifts a month, 12 10 hour shifts a month, 1 24 hour shift a week, 12 8 hour shifts a month, 7 days on and 7 days off, 14 days on and 14 days off, work 3 months, off 3 months...basically, the shifts are variable...again depending where you work and who you work for, or are contracted to...i also know attendings who work a week in florida-a week in georgia-and a few days in washington because they're single and free....

3. most em docs are not in academics, ie they're only 120ish em programs out there, so most actually fall into community settings...and they do whatever they want with their time off, whether it be owning another business, taking care of family, travelling, skydiving, just because they have "free time" doesnt mean it has be used in the hospital setting...aw.e the joy of em...

4. again depends on the city, town, or farm you want to work in...there are areas that are crying for emergency trained physicians, and will pay for it. you wont be hard pressed to find a job. plus, em is a small community and everyone knows everybody and sometimes its all about the right phone call to the right person...like anything else

 

[Apollyon]

My absolutely minimal contribution:

If you are EM trained and can't find a job, you haven't checked your mail, email, phone messages, or talked with anyone else since the middle of your first year of residency. Believe me.