Pain job interview

[PMR2008]

I have an interview with a 2 physician (1 PM&R and 1 Anesthesia) pain practice tomorrow. I wanted to get the opinion of the members of this forum on important questions I should ask during the interview. Thanks.

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[DOctorJay]

I'm interested in responses as well as I am starting the process soon too. Good luck PMR2008!

 

[specepic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaiSHcHM0PA 😳

referral base?

overhead

payor mix

business plan/where is the practice headed

competition

opioids!?

autonomy (are they going to tell you how/what to do)

what do they make, how much will partnership cost, what is your pay/incetnive based on?

Keep in mind that b/t CMS cuts and ACO trends, the market is getting tougher for independent shops. depends on the market you are looking at/city/town/rural/etc.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

1st interview - get the lay of the land and see if these are people you can see yourself working with. Do you like the location? Are they well staffed? (Over/understaffed?) Are they happy? Are they too busy?

What kinds of patients do they see? Will you have to see things you don't want to treat? Can you see yourself working there with them and being happy?

Why do they want/need another person? What's the benefit to them?

On the 1st interview, do not bring up economics. Don't ask how much they make, or what you can make. Do not ask about %, partnership, etc. If they bring it up, fine. Don't you break that ice. That is all for follow-up interviews if all parties are interested in pursuing employment with you. If you bring it up, it makes you look greedy.

 

[specepic]

1st interview - get the lay of the land and see if these are people you can see yourself working with. Do you like the location? Are they well staffed? (Over/understaffed?) Are they happy? Are they too busy?

What kinds of patients do they see? Will you have to see things you don't want to treat? Can you see yourself working there with them and being happy?

Why do they want/need another person? What's the benefit to them?

On the 1st interview, do not bring up economics. Don't ask how much they make, or what you can make. Do not ask about %, partnership, etc. If they bring it up, fine. Don't you break that ice. That is all for follow-up interviews if all parties are interested in pursuing employment with you. If you bring it up, it makes you look greedy.

True, several things I have listed there are follow up questions after you mutually clear initial hurdles.

To ask, "how much will I make" as question #1 would be dumb and I assume no one who is smart enough to get where you got would do that anyway.

On the other hand, new grads are often afraid to ask the tough questions and get abused. Start with softballs and if it seems like you want to work there, then ask the toughies before you sign.

 

[eljefe]

As a recent job seeker/fellowship grad--
I disagree about not bringing up compensation from the get go unless you are desperate for one particular position. When I say get go, I mean your first phone interview. Ask vague questions like "how is the compensation package set up for the first couple years?" (This also lets them bring up partnership without you specifically asking about it). They should have an answer for you... If they are vague or don't want to tell you--it's probably because you are not going to like what you hear. Obviously you are not going to negotiate compensation right off the bat, but if they really low ball you right from the beginning you think it is going to get any better once you meet them?

More practice specific questions like partnership, overhead allocation, etc. can wait for when you are headed for a contract.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

To ask, "how much will I make" as question #1 would be dumb and I assume no one who is smart enough to get where you got would do that anyway.

You would be suprised. I have phone-interviewed quite a number of people and I would say at least 1/3rd have asked me salary and bonus questions right up front. None of them got any further than a phone interview.

 

[specepic]

You would be suprised. I have phone-interviewed quite a number of people and I would say at least 1/3rd have asked me salary and bonus questions right up front. None of them got any further than a phone interview.

I think you are right that if the employer brings it up right away fine, but o/w figure out other factors and not a polite topic for first phone call. Easy way to turn off the employer before they get to know the applicant.

 

[Gauss]

for a first phone interview I would agree you shouldn't ask right in the beginning, but at the very end when both of you are wrapping it up and you get to "any other questions?" that would be an appropriate time. You have to find this out prior to travelling somewhere for an interview, otherwise it could be a waste of everyone's time. I once waited until the end of an interview day for compensation and it was so piss poor there was no way I could justify it.

 

[Jcm800]

I have an interview with a 2 physician (1 PM&R and 1 Anesthesia) pain practice tomorrow. I wanted to get the opinion of the members of this forum on important questions I should ask during the interview. Thanks.

what they drive...

 

[PMR2008]

S600.

The interview went well. I did not bring up compensation and he did not bring it up as well. Just asked about why he wants to add another partner, future expansion plans, my future role in the practice, philosophy on opioids, typical hours, support staff, EMR, payor mix, types of procedures performed, referral sources, call, inpatient consults etc.

I think it went well cause he just invited me to come have dinner with his family. Will see how it goes. Thanks for all the advice.