What is considered a reasonable call frequency for inpatient (as an attending)

[NeedAdvicelol]

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[lobstar]

I've seen lots of places wanted around 1 weeknight per week and 1 Sat/Sun every months. I've also seen less, but some, places that have optional called all outsourced to locum/moonlighting. I think it comes down to what you'll accept for what price.

 

[Stagg737]

Title, appreciate your opinions. Been practicing for a short while post-residency, looking to switch jobs. I do have to agree with some others on here that the job market is quite bad, at least around where I am, compared to the ease by which some older attendings found their jobs. Had to look quite a bit farther than my expected radius to find anything inpatient (the outpatient openings also sucked but are more prevalent).

I did find an inpatient academic gig that expected weekend coverage (both days) around 6x a year and maybe 15-20 overnight phone coverage yearly (just one night at a time, however). Census around 10 or so, average acuity and turnover. If you add the incentive pay for all the call you do, the total comp is around 300k. Can't opt out of call. Is this reasonable or am I getting lowballed? Job is in New England, but quite a bit inland from major metro areas.

Total comp seems maybe a little low, but not unreasonable for academic. That call sounds extremely reasonable assuming it's home call.

 

[comp1]

Looks good for a rural area. It's academic so you have residents too, right? I say take it. I aim for about 4 weeks of call per attending per year, but it goes higher or lower depending on the depth of the pool.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Total comp seems maybe a little low, but not unreasonable for academic.

That’s on par for academics in the NE. The range for academic base salary here is ~$230-$275k.

 

[NeedAdvicelol]

Yea base is actually around 260k but with random stuff they sprinkle in here and there makes it closer to 300. It’s in the middle of nowhere tho so I think that’s the premium for the slightly above avg rates.

They do have residents but they’re shared with like 3 other rotating sites so there are days when you’re on your own.

 

[Stagg737]

That’s on par for academics in the NE. The range for academic base salary here is ~$230-$275k.

Right, but they said total comp was $300k. If that were salary that would be great. Total comp and that is just fine. If it weren’t academic that total comp for a rural area would be straight up bad.

 

[comp1]

But it is rural academic and the OP has residents. I think the call amount and the pay is good. It's even inpatient, which would highly sweeten the whole thing for me.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Right, but they said total comp was $300k. If that were salary that would be great. Total comp and that is just fine. If it weren’t academic that total comp for a rural area would be straight up bad.

It’s typical for the NE though. Rural and non-academic jobs don’t pay that much more out here and a lot don’t offer incentive pay for call - I’ve spent the last 3 months looking for jobs in the NE.

 

[Stagg737]

But it is rural academic and the OP has residents. I think the call amount and the pay is good. It's even inpatient, which would highly sweeten the whole thing for me.

It’s typical for the NE though. Rural and non-academic jobs don’t pay that much more out here and a lot don’t offer incentive pay for call - I’ve spent the last 3 months looking for jobs in the NE.

I’m not disagreeing. I’m just saying that if this wasn’t academic the total comp would be low especially for a rural position depending on just how rural it actually is. Call looks very reasonable though.

 

[NeedAdvicelol]

I’ve spent the last 3 months looking for jobs in the NE.

Yea... thats what i've been saying. I only heard of this one through a connection; it wasn't posted. If this was 5-10 years ago you'd have multiple similar offers in a much more desirable location, even in the NE.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Yea... thats what i've been saying. I only heard of this one through a connection; it wasn't posted. If this was 5-10 years ago you'd have multiple similar offers in a much more desirable location, even in the NE.

Even 3 years ago when I was looking for my first attending job the market out here was better. I ultimately took a job in a semi-rural city back in my home state in the Midwest doing public psychiatry and making >$140k than what is offered out here.

 

[mistafab]

I think regionally based on where you are talking and the likely low workload - you're being given a fair offer 300k total comp academic inpt. Low pay for low work - don't make you sweat too hard to have a fair starter job. Pretty kush. Call is a bit of a drag but I'd ask the actual psychs working there how bad it is really. Might be pretty chill especially with resident buffer.

 

[psychaccount101]

Would love to get some input on this inpatient attending gig (non-academic, no supervising residents or NPs, urban area):

-average census: 10
-weeknight call: once a week
-weekend call: about 8 weekends

 

[Stagg737]

Would love to get some input on this inpatient attending gig (non-academic, no supervising residents or NPs, urban area):

-average census: 10
-weeknight call: once a week, home call only
-weekend call: about 8 weekends per year
-salary: 320k plus potential for additional bonuses

Without further details seems solid. How often are you getting called for home call and how many beds are you covering? If it's maybe once a night for patient complaints seems solid. If it's every 2 hours to place admit orders that sucks.

 

[comp1]

It's fine looking at national averages, but "urban area" is a bit vague. Nashville is an urban area, so is San Francisco.