Reading a job offer
The salary is the first number you see and rarely the most important part of the contract. Read every section, ask questions and get the answers in writing.
Compensation
- Base salary and how long it is guaranteed.
- Productivity incentives: work RVU targets, the dollar value per RVU, and when they start.
- Signing bonus, relocation and loan repayment, and whether you have to pay them back if you leave early.
- Benchmarks: compare against national salary surveys (for example MGMA or AAMC data) for your specialty, setting and region.
The work
- Clinic sessions per week, new patient slots, expected volume.
- Call: how often, what it covers, and whether inpatient weeks are included.
- Support staff: nurses, advanced practice providers, schedulers, prior authorization help.
- For academic jobs: percentage of protected time, for how long, start-up funds and research support.
The fine print
- Malpractice. Is it claims-made or occurrence coverage? With claims-made coverage, someone has to buy tail coverage when you leave. Find out who pays.
- Noncompete. How many miles, for how long, and does it apply if they end the contract?
- Termination. Notice periods for each side, and termination without cause.
- Partnership. For private practices: when, what the buy-in is, and what partners actually earn and own.
- Time and money for learning. Vacation, CME days and CME funds.
- Loans. If you have federal student loans, ask whether the employer qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Hire a health care attorney. A contract review costs far less than one bad clause. Ask senior fellows and recent graduates whom they used.
This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.