Questions for the Interview


by Jordan R. Stewart, DPM
Timonium Foot and Ankle Center
Established July 2006
Timonium, MD

Hopefully by now you have gotten responses from your letters and are arranging for interviews. The next step is to meet with the doctor. Some doctors may invite you to dinner, but a more useful approach is to visit the practice. This allows you to see how it runs, the types of patients and conditions seen, the type of facility you may work in, and the staff you may work with. Try to visit the practice more than once, as this will help answer questions and concerns that you may have.

Assuming that you like the practice and the doctor likes you, a formal interview should take place. This is where being prepared pays off. Before starting the interview, you may be asked to sign a Confidentiality or  Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). By signing such a document you are agreeing not to disclose any information unknown to the general public. You should be careful to maintain professional courtesy and do not violate the confidentiality agreement.

It is to important have a list of questions so you can be sure the potential job that might be offered is right for you. Below is the list of questions I came up with for my interviews. Keep in mind, some of these questions may have already been answered during your visits to the practice.

1. How will I be paid? Is there an opportunity for a bonus? Will the salary be re-evaluated annually?
2. What is the length of the contract?
3. Where will my patients be coming from?
4. What will my schedule be? Saturday hours?
5. Will I take call? How will this be split?
6. How much vacation time will I get? Will this include sick days? Will I accrue more vacation over the years? How will holidays work?
7. How will you advertise me?
8. Is there a restrictive covenant? How many miles and how many years?
9. Is there an opportunity for partnership? After how many years?  
10. Would the following be covered in my contract?
    • Malpractice
    • Health insurance
    • DEA
    • Controlled drug license
    • Hospital privileges and dues
    • CME, how much money and how much time
    • Cell phone
    • Travel expenses related to work
11. What is the gross income of the practice?
12. What is the practice overhead?
13. What is the collection rate?
14. What is the payer mix (types of insurances)?

Keep in mind that finding a job is a time sensitive issue and you do not want to waste time. Use the information from your interview and decide whether or not this practice is suitable for you. Although you may like a practice, a contract offer is not guaranteed. Do not put your all your eggs in one basket and pursue as many interviews as possible. No matter how sure you may feel about a particular job, until the contract is signed send out lots of letters!

Jordan R. Stewart, DPM
A PRESENT New Doc Editor
[email protected]

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