AMA Wire

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

News for Young Physicians

Avoid hospital employment contract land mines

Avoid hospital employment contract land mines

Physicians can protect themselves against significant problems down the road if they are wary of potential land mines hidden within hospital employment contracts, according to a recent article in American Medical News.

Reminding physicians that they have the most negotiating power when a hospital is trying to recruit them, the article outlines the seven most common issues with hospital employment contracts.

Vague job descriptions, restrictive covenants and payment recoupment are among the most significant contracting dangers and could lead to unwanted responsibilities, lengthy weekend or nighttime hours, and even an obligation to leave town or quit practice if the physician should no longer work for the hospital.

Physicians can find assistance with safely navigating hospital employment contracts in the AMA's Annotated Model Physician-Hospital Employment Agreement, which is free to AMA members and available at a fee to nonmembers. Not an AMA member? Join today to access this and other resources.

Run for an open seat on the AMA-YPS Governing Council

If you'd like to get more involved in organized medicine, consider running for an open seat on the AMA Young Physicians Section (YPS) Governing Council. The section is accepting nominations for the following positions:

  • Chair-elect, who will serve a three-year term—one year as chair-elect, one year as chair and one year as immediate past chair
  • Delegate, who will serve a two-year term

Terms will begin at the close of this year's Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, which will take place June 16–20. Nomination forms are due June 1. After this, nominations will be accepted only on June 15 during this year's AMA-YPS Annual Assembly Meeting.

Learn more, and check out the AMA-YPS Internal Operating Procedures for more information on Governing Council positions and duties.