Becoming a Private Practitioner

Ask yourself:

• What do I want and need from my job?
• Do I prefer to work solo, in a small group, or in a large group?
• Do I want to practice at a single site, or am I willing to travel to satellite clinics?
• Do I only want to practice hematology, or both hematology and oncology?
• Do I want to participate in research?
• How much internal medicine do I wish to do?
• How much night/weekend call am I willing to take?
• Do I want or need to be in a particular area of the country?
• Will my personal responsibilities or my spouse’s professional needs set limits to my search?

Learning what is out there:

• Job announcement letters sent to your department and program director
• Announcements (print and online) in journals (e.g., Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology)
• Employment bulletins and the ASH Job Bank
• Informal sources (e.g., former fellows)
• Contact major groups in your region to see if they are planning to enlarge their practice group

Narrow your search by finding out about :

• The group’s mission, values, political and social climate, and reputation
• Research activity and participation in cooperative groups
• Parameters and expectations of the position

The job application:

• First impressions are important. Follow the application instructions and make sure your application is concise and free of factual, grammatical, and spelling errors.
• Prepare a cover letter
  • Brief self-introduction
  • Specify the position for which you are applying
  • Brief description of your clinical and teaching experience
  • Any special circumstances you believe the committee should know about up front (e.g., your spouse is also looking for a private practice opportunity)
• Update your curriculum vitae
• Obtain letters of recommendations
• The interview
  • Organize the logistics of the trip (e.g., plane tickets and hotel accommodations)
  • Learn as much as possible about the institution and the surrounding area
  • Meet with as many members of the private practice as possible
  • Conclude your visit and follow-up
    • Ask when a decision will be reached
    • As soon as you return home, write a formal letter addressed to the chair of the committee, thanking everyone for their hospitality, and reiterating your interest in the position

Negotiate your position:

• Obtain the details of the appointment (e.g., job title, length of the initial contract, terms under which the contract will be renewed)
• Salary
• Potential and details of partnership, ownership of practice
• Other forms of compensation (e.g., health coverage, life insurance, moving expenses, housing subsidy)
• Protect yourself by formalizing all of the accepted details of the negotiations in a written contract. Strongly consider reviewing the contract with an experienced advisor or attorney before accepting an offer.