First IC Opportunity - Converting to EMR, need HELP/ADVICE

[agros42]

I am currently looking for work and was just recently contacted by a company in the Philadelphia area which I initially thought was a staffing agency, but it turns out they are more of "brokers" that find contracts for independent contractors and pay them in advance of the hospital paying the company for services rendered. My interview with the "client" (aka the hospital I'll be working for) is Thursday, and this is my first experience with independent contracting, so I have no idea what I'm doing and want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head.

The contract is for a minimum 13-week position basically transcribing medical info, patient data, test, scripts, etc. from paper to an EMR. I need to find my own malpractice insurance and NSO was recommended. I have always been covered by previous employers, so am not familiar with the process of finding my own coverage. Are there any basics I need to know? Anything specific I should look for when finding coverage, etc.? I was also told by a nurse friend to "be very careful" about having my own insurance, who would cover me, and to make sure I know my scope of practice parameters. This kind of scares me a little bit so any advice/info would be helpful.

Also, where do I go about setting up my own disability insurance, and - this may be a dumb question - but for a 13 week contract, do I really need to invest in this? I'm not sure that I'm going to remain in independent contracting - this is just an opportunity I'm trying to take advantage of because I desperately need work ASAP.

In my interview, are there any specific questions about independent contracting I should be asking the potential employer, or anything I should be doing to make myself stand out?

I am already looking into speaking with my accountant and looking into laws and any permits/licesnses needed for working as an independent nurse contractor, but ANY information from people with experience in this would be extremely helpful in getting me started. Thank you!

[bizi]

You should have Liability Insurance thru the NSO. You will be considered self employed, insurance coverage costs about $350 dollars for self employed nurses. You will need to have taxes set aside and paid quarterly if you intend to do this on going. Get with your small business development office usually your town will have one maybe even for minorities/ women. mIne did they helped me. so did the university but they shut that down due to lack of funds. I don't carry disability insurance, have not for 16 years but never thought about it either.

I wish you much luck in this job interview and job if you decide to take it.

bizi