new grad NP contract negotiation

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

The offer is for a single physician primary care clinic, with one other PA working there. The MD wants me to work part-time and initially wanted that to be in the form of half days, M-F 1-530pm. When I went back for a second "interview" they introduced me to the office staff as the new provider and then sent me home with a packet of paperwork to fill out.

I never formally accepted the position. I tried to discuss the schedule with the manager as I will need to maintain another job for health insurance purposes (I have already met my max out of pocket for the year on my current insurance and can't afford COBRA working part time). and they said they would work on it and to bring the papers back on Monday.

Just trying to get some feedback as to what is standard in the contract. The hourly rate is pretty reasonable but some of the other benefits and clauses I'm unsure of.

1. The job is part-time but it says I'd be working "from 20 hours up to 40 hours, but not to exceed 40 hours" - that clearly needs to be addressed, but is it normal to have such a broad range built in, I'm used to travel contracts which are strict with their hours

2. 90 day notice for resignation

3. 2 weeks vacation

4. Up to 7 sick days

5. $1000 and 5 days for CME EVERY OTHER year

6. After 90 days employer will pay 50% of health insurance premiums

7. All employment outside the practice must be approved by the employer

8. No professional services to be provided outside of the clinic (included paid or unpaid). All professional time and efforts should be devoted to the employer

9. 3 year non-compete within a 10 mile radius of the clinic, or any patient of the clinic regardless of the location.

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

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This sounds super sketchy to me. At least they'll pay you hourly.

Basically, you could be working full time M-F (since they say up to 40hrs), with part time benefits and a measly two weeks vacation.

If you take it and hate it because they are awful, #2 is a joke.

I just reread my post and realized how negative it was. However, that's how I read your post (am I wrong?) and I'm going to leave mine as-is!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
This sounds super sketchy to me. At least they'll pay you hourly.

Basically, you could be working full time M-F (since they say up to 40hrs), with part time benefits and a measly two weeks vacation.

If you take it and hate it because they are awful, #2 is a joke.

I just reread my post and realized how negative it was. However, that's how I read your post (am I wrong?) and I'm going to leave mine as-is!

Nothing wrong with your post, I wouldn't be asking for advice if I wasn't also thinking things were a little sketch!

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Wow...their contract rules are pretty strict for someone they want just part-time. 90 day notice for a part-time employee??? It's not unheard of for full-time positions, but I've never seen it in a part-time contract. Number 8 is also ridiculous.

Honestly, it sounds like this is a contract intended for a full-time employee and they only altered the number of hours you work. The part about it being 20-40 hours is also crazy. Is it part time or not?

This place is either really lazy with their contracts or they're just terrible. Both scare me.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Haha also #9! I get they don't want you poaching patients, but if you leave, the patient is a consumer with free will and can follow you wherever. Basically just don't put up a sign in the clinic when you're quitting that says "I'm leaving, please follow me to this location", and you're good.

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Does #8 mean you can't get a second job as an NP?

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Oh heck no. This is an awful contract. The 90 resignation clause should be reduced to 60 at the very least. 2 weeks vacation....meh....ask for 3 weeks after 1 year and have it written into the contract. Scratch #7. It's none of their business. #8 is unrealistic and an insult to you. #9 I would ask to remove completely. Do not agree to such a long non-compete clause. That's professional suicide. If you leave you'd probably have to leave the state to get another job. Three years? They're joking. Not worth it unless they're paying you really good money, and by that I mean >$100 an hour.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Thanks all... I'm leaning towards not taking the job. I got good vibes during my initial interview with the doctor, but after my second meeting and these contract terms I'm starting to get a bad gut feeling

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None of the terms of this contract are good. 7 and 8 are ridiculous and insulting. And how can they enforce 9. Patients can do what they want. It's all just so awful. Try to renegotiate, and, if they don't accept, you don't accept.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
Does #8 mean you can't get a second job as an NP?

I interpret it as I can't give medical advice to friends and family, etc. They already have no outside employment unless approved by them.

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That is a nope..... they are only offering you 20 hours a week of work..... they don't get to say you don't work elsewhere. by saying they have to approve it they would be essentially freeze you out of other financial opportunities.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.
That is a nope..... they are only offering you 20 hours a week of work..... they don't get to say you don't work elsewhere. by saying they have to approve it they would be essentially freeze you out of other financial opportunities.

Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner!!!!!!

I really think they were lazy, took one of their full-time contracts, and just adjusted the hours. Even then though, saying 20-40 hours on your contract is so ridiculous it hurts from laughing. They basically want 20 hours of your week on retainer without compensating you for it.

The more I've thought about this arrangement, the more I've realized it's the worst contract ever. Unless the hourly rate they're paying is high ($100+/hr), I would run away unless they realize their stupidity and make some major editing. At least at that hourly rate you're gonna have oodles of free-time and still pull in over 100k a year. Who cares if you couldn't work elsewhere, haha. Your work-life balance would be insanely awesome.

Please keep us posted on what you decide.

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