Key terms in physician employment agreements?

In North Carolina, written employment agreements between medical groups and the physicians that they employ are standard. A reputable group will almost always present a proposed agreement to a prospective employee without being prompted. Sometimes, the proposed agreement is in the form of an "offer letter" that, once signed, will become the contract between the parties. Before signing any proposed agreement, a prospective employee should ensure that it accurately reflects what the parties have agreed to. It should include all of the agreed-upon terms and should be written clearly enough that an outside third party could interpret what the parties intended without seeking further explanation. Additionally, a prospective employee should pay close attention to contract clauses intended to have long-term effects, including but not limited to "restrictive covenants" such as non-disclosure, non-competition, or exclusivity provisions. Last, a prospective employee might consider having an attorney review a proposed employment agreement before signing. Good luck!

Hello. It's great that you're being proactive and want to make sure you're getting a fair deal. Long-term commitments like these require careful consideration. Here’s a few things to consider. First off, consider the compensation. Take a close look at not just your base salary but also any bonuses, incentives, and benefits they're offering. Compare these numbers to what other physicians in your area are getting to see if it's a fair deal. Regarding benefits, factor those into your evaluation. Think about things like healthcare coverage, retirement plans, malpractice insurance, vacation time, and CME allowances. Consider how these perks align with your personal needs and preferences. Also, while money matters, consider the contract length, termination provisions, any restrictions (like non-compete clauses), your expected workload, and opportunities for professional development. It's essential to fully grasp these aspects to see how they align with your goals. Overall, the objective is to think about what matters most to you and whether the contractual terms align with your interests. In the end, your employment agreement should be a win-win for both you and the hospital. Keep in mind that this response is meant to provide general guidance only and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Every individual matter is unique. As such, consulting with an attorney to review your employment agreement and address your specific needs is highly recommended. I wish you the best of luck as you venture into this new employment opportunity.

I would need to see your Employment Agreement to be able to answer this. I suggest you enter a work order in ContractsCounsel, and you can request me or have multiple attorneys bid on it.

Physician employment agreements are not required by Law but that does not mean they are not required by the Employer. Employers have these agreements in place to set the terms of the employment regarding salary, length of employment and any other relevant terms that they want the employee to agree to. But, that also means you as the employee could negotiate provisions into the agreement that you want if the employer is willing to put them in. You legally don't have to sign one, but your future employer can still require a signed agreement. Before you sign anything you should make sure you understand the terms and provisions of the agreement.

I am an employment attorney who regularly deals with employment agreements, including those involving physicians. Let me know which provisions concern you. My fee structure depends on the level of my involvement. We can discuss more in an initial phone call to go over your submission.