How to Vet a Physician Employer Before Signing a Contract

Key Takeaways

• Your contract isn’t the only thing that matters. The workplace culture can make or break your experience.
• Talk to current and former employees. They’ll tell you what the employer won’t.
• Look for red flags. Bad scheduling, unclear leadership, billing fraud—these can ruin your career.
• Ask the right questions. Don't wait until you're already locked in.

1. Why Do Doctors Regret Their First Job?

Ever heard a doctor say, "I should have asked more questions before signing?"

It happens all the time.

• Some realize too late that their "dream job" is a nightmare.
• Others end up drowning in patient volume without support.
• Some don’t even get the salary they expected because of shady productivity metrics.

So what’s the solution? Vet your employer before signing the contract.

2. Ask Yourself: Does This Practice Feel Right?

Would you trust a car salesman who refuses to let you test drive a car?

No?

Then why sign a contract without knowing what the practice is actually like?

You should interview the practice just as much as they interview you.

✅ Talk to the support staff. They know how things really run.
✅ Ask junior doctors how they’re treated. Are they respected? Or overworked?
✅ Find former employees. Why did they leave? Would they go back?

If they dodge your questions? That’s a red flag.

3. Workload: How Much Is Too Much?

How many patients will you see per day?

Sounds like a simple question, right? But some employers won’t give you a straight answer.

• 30+ patients/day? That’s a red flag unless you’re in urgent care.
• No cap on patient volume? You’re gonna burn out fast.
• Unclear work expectations? That means trouble down the road.

Always get the workload details in writing. If they won’t commit, walk away.

4. Who’s Really in Charge Here?

Ever worked somewhere where no one knows who makes the final decision?

It’s chaos.

So before signing, ask:

❓ Who actually makes the decisions?
❓ Are physicians involved in leadership?
❓ Do doctors have a voice in scheduling, hiring, or patient care?

If the practice is run entirely by administrators who don’t see patients, they may prioritize profit over patient care. And that’s not the kind of place you want to be.

5. Scheduling & Call: Will You Have a Life?

“Call schedule is shared equally.” Sounds fair, right?

Except what does equally actually mean?

• How many nights per month?
• Is there backup for emergencies?
• Do senior doctors dump call shifts on new hires?

Some contracts make call coverage sound better than it is. Always ask other doctors how the schedule actually plays out in real life.

6. Hidden Economic Red Flags

You ever wonder how a practice makes money?

You should.

Because if they’re in financial trouble, it’s your problem too.

Red Flags to Watch For:

🚩 High physician turnover – Why are so many doctors leaving?
🚩 Bad payer mix – Too many uninsured or Medicaid patients can mean unreliable income.
🚩 Productivity-based pay with no transparency – You might not earn as much as you think.

If a practice’s financials look shaky, so does your job security.

7. Is This Place Breaking the Law?

Yes, you read that right. Some practices commit billing fraud—and you don’t want to be there when they get caught.

Watch Out for These Warning Signs:

🚨 Upcoding – Billing for higher-level visits than what was done.
🚨 Unnecessary procedures – Pushing tests or treatments patients don’t need.
🚨 Shady Medicare billing – Fraudulent Medicare claims can ruin your career.

If a place is cutting legal corners, your medical license could be at risk. Get out before it’s too late.

8. Final Thoughts: Ask Before You Regret It

Signing a contract without vetting your employer is a mistake.

Before you sign:
✅ Talk to people who work there.
✅ Make sure patient volume is reasonable.
✅ Find out who actually makes decisions.
✅ Check for financial and legal red flags.

A bad first job isn’t just inconvenient—it can set your career back years.

Be smart. Ask questions. Choose wisely.