Resignation and tail coverage advice

[HKPA]

Hi, I need some advice on how much notice to give my employer (first job out of PA school).  They sold me a bunch of b.s. when I interviewed and have treated me like dirt since day one.  This job is torture - like working for an abusive alcoholic parent, never knowing if you're going to be hugged or beaten like a dog when you walk in the door.  I felt guilty at first because they paid my moving expenses, licensing, etc., but after six months of being knocked around, I can't take any more.  I've been interviewing and think I have found the perfect job.  My question is this:  I have not actually signed a contract, so how much notice do I need to give them?  Also, can they force me to pay for tail coverage if I never signed a contract and the signed offer letter says that they will pay for my malpractice insurance?  Any advice you've got would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[Guest Paula]

Do not give notice until you have a signed contract from a new employer and a for sure start date. Too often PAs have given notice for a job they thought they had only to find themselves unemployed. You do not have a current contract so I suppose at least a 2 to 4 week notice is customary. Does your signed letter of employment have anything in it That Would Make You Pay Back The Moving Expenses Or License fees? Be prepared when you give notice that you will either be treated terribly or told to pack up your things and leave the clinic. Your situation sounds bad.....what kind of practice? How are you protecting yourself from this happening again. I think the forum has other similar postings as yours...you can search it. Good luck to you.

[Gordon, PA-C]

If there's no signed contract you can do whatever you want -- just walk out tomorrow and they cant touch you and dont worry about tail coverage..

 

Here's why you should try to go out on good terms instead of pissing people off at your old facility:

 

If you ever plan on getting hospital privileges in the future, there's a damn good chance that the credentialing person is going to contact somebody at your old job.  If they give a bad report, that will be enough to block your hospital privileges.

 

Even if the hospital doesnt contact your old position, you are going to need references/recomendations that are current.  If you've only been there for 6 months you could probably still use your references from PA school but most hospital credentialing committes have rules that the person referring you has to have observed your clinical skills recently (within last year), AND they cant be somebody from your current partner group.  .