Military Reserves and Group Flexibility (EMCare, Teamhealth,etc)....

[TysonCook]

Hello,
Just a quick question. I don't have any military obligation, but have mult "offers" for military obligation etc.

Does anyone know anyone, or personally, of how major groups like EMcare and Teamhealt (or fill in the blank), groups deal with MD's that are obligated to military contracts?

of note, this is NOT A DO IT/DON'T thread, just seeing if anyone has experience.

Thanks!
T

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[Tiger26]

Actually wondered this myself since I will have a military obligation (National Guard)

 

[DogFaceMedic]

Depends on the Group -- as always.

Larger groups and corporations tend to be far more flexible and they can gain some tax advantages and publicity supporting the reserves.

Smaller groups tend to have more difficulty being flexible because all of the other docs have to make up for your absence. A friend of mine (former 101st) in a small group had to give up his Army Reserve airborne gig, because his group was only 15 guys and too much of a scheduling strain. But another larger democratic group (80 docs) actively supports its reserve members, in part because so many were former military.

Nothing is for certain, so it is best to talk directly to people who have done this in EM.

Aside from loan repayment, a great incentive is the Army is going back to its classic dress blue uniform.

 

[docB]

We have a rule about not requesting "multiple, isolated weekend days" off which I'm told was because guys used to try to say they could work Saturdays for 6 months at a time because their kids were in sports. One weekend a month and 2 weeks a year would be no problem at all especially for something like the guard.

Now the deployments would be more of an issue. Not that you'd lose your job. We'd never toss anyone for a guard committment. But our schedules are done 3 months in advance so if you got sent with 30 days notice (or less) it would be tough. In the past we've figured it out and worked with the guys.

 

[docB]

As a side note if you are looking at a job and you ask about getting your weekend every month and they groan and say "You mean you can't work every weekend?" be alarmed. That type of response has the old bait and switch written all over it.

 

[deleted109597]

Not that you'd lose your job. We'd never toss anyone for a guard committment.

That's good, because it's technically, you know, illegal.
That doesn't mean that people won't grumble because of the perceived "Well Dr. So and So always gets a weekend off" etc etc. Those are generally the people you don't want to work with in the first place. Guard is easy, because the commitment is 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks per year, and maximum is 90 days "boots on the ground" every 12-24 months, depending on state. Of course, boots on the ground also means 2 weeks on either end, so you're looking at 4 months of not being with your group. It can create strain, they might have to hire a locums for that period, etc.

I'm still debating myself whether I should join now that I have a real residency. I didn't when I was a prelim, on the off chance that they would GMO me and not let me reapply.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

A point of clarification about how the Army reserve/guard medical units work:

Most physicians do not have to show up for weekends. They frequently do all of their time on annual training or on a flexible schedule that fits their schedule, such as taking a shift once or twice a month at a military hospital.

MDs/DOs are specialists so are not expected to participate in monthly unit training in the same way as other jobs. Command positions, however, require greater committment.

I believe the USAF is as flexible or more so. I think the same is true for the Coasties, but unsure about USN. But, again, talk to people and go in with full understanding.

As for group support, nothing helps better than a fancy certificate from the Sec Def thanking the Group's patriotism for supporting their Citizen-soldier partner. A former supervisor of mine has his hanging on his wall and shows it to everyone who comes in. I've even seen lawyers sacrifice income to support their reservists.

Most people are supportive, but there are jerks who don't care what the law says. I've met both types.

 

[TysonCook]

Thanks for the advice so far. Going to be graduating next year from residency and would like to be upfront w/my employers as to obligations etc. Haven't committed to anything yet, but kinda thinking if it

 

[southerndoc]

My group accomodates it.

 

[docB]

That's good, because it's technically, you know, illegal.

Then what are you worried about?