January 2012

Adding a New Physician to Your Practice

Adding a new physician can bring value to your practice--if the recruitment process is well thought out and conducted carefully. If you fail to do your homework prior to interviewing candidates, the chances of finding a successful fit are reduced considerably. If your practice has plans to expand and add another physician, here are some issues you should consider.

What Type of Person Do You Want To Work With?

What attributes do you want in a new physician? Decide ahead what experience, attitude, personality and business sense you want in a candidate. List the professional requirements that are most desirable for your practice in order of their importance.

What Type of Compensation Makes Sense?

How will the new physician be paid? Will it be a straight salary or a salary plus bonus incentive? Will you offer the possibility of a buy-in to your practice after a specific number of years of employment?

In addition, decide on the patient volume you expect the new hire to bring into the practice and build upon over time. Have expectations about the amount of help you’ll provide to that end. Outline the distribution of responsibilities, including the division of call duty that you expect of a new hire. Know ahead of time if you are willing to offer the new hire some voice in general practice decisions. Carefully document all of these matters.

Will the Candidate Fit into Your Community?

Some people love the excitement and recreational opportunities offered by urban life. Others crave the solitude of rural life. Young, single physicians may have very different priorities than physicians with children when it comes to choosing where to relocate. You should be aware of issues that relate to potential candidates applying for the position and how easily they may fit into your community.

Your chances of finding a physician who is a good match for your practice will be greater if you take the time to clearly describe your expectations, the resources to be provided, the compensation package and work conditions before you begin the actual search.

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