Models of Collaborative Practice: Pearls from Abby Jacobson

Understand that an employment contract is different than the supervisory or collaborative agreement required by many state practice regulations. The employment contract covers important items such as compensation, duties, and benefits whereas most supervisory or collaborative agreements required by the state outline how you and the physician will interact to provide patient care.
Make sure your contract includes a provision to have access to patient records even if no longer employed there in the event a malpractice case is brought against you. Although eventually a judge will court order it, avoid the expense and delay and have it in your contract.
Look at what aspects of your employment contract would be impacted if the practice is sold or closes, and develop language to address those potential changes.
Although you may be the eternal optimist, employment contracts need to be reviewed with a pessimistic eye – always asking “what if…” and imaging the worse case ever scenario.
A good PA/NP employment contract develops a crucial framework for your working relationship. It needs to cover important aspects such as hours, duties, location, support staff, and benefits. Paying attention to just the compensation aspect of your contract can be a critical error that can negatively impact your future.