New grad outpt psych offer

[merp]

I live in the Southeast. I have a mental health/social services background. I was sent "the contract we offer everyone" and was told I was free to negotiate any terms I want.

 

Offered 91k or 50% of services billed

Benefits (didn't get detail on if dental/vision covered but not really something I care about)

CME allowance of 1500

15 days PTO and all federal holidays off

One week of call approximately every 2 months

M-Th 9-5 and F 9-1

Malpractice but not sure if tail coverage

not sure if they cover DEA

also a little tidbit that I can't tell if it is actually a non compete or not: former employee cannot intentionally solicit any patients of the practice within 35 miles for one year if I decide to move on. 

 

 

This practice is less than 10 mins from my house (YES) and I feel I would have a decent work-life balance. I don't need benefits (covered through husband) and what I WANT to do is counter with 115-120k and r 20 days PTO in exchange for benefits. I think the 50% cut may be good for when my patient base grows, but not great for a new grad who will undoubtedly be slow.  My husband thinks it's a cocky move to go that high and I might give them the wrong impression.  I have discovered in my brief time of interviewing that there is a huge need for psych providers and if you have any prior experience, you are worth gold. The person I interviewed with told me as much and said they were having difficulty finding the right person for the job. I don't think i'll get exactly what i'm asking, and that's ok,  but i feel i don't have much to lose by trying. 

 

[marktheshark89]

I think that is way too high to counter with. That would likely put you in the top 10% of psych PAs at 120k per year. You may have nothing to lose, but they could always rescind their offer if they feel you arent negotiating in good faith and being reasonable. I'd perhaps counter with 100k, or stay at 91k and add some type of incentive (perhaps 30% of receipts > than 2-2.5x your salary). This way if you are very productive you will benefit, if you are slower in your first year you still have a solid wage. (This is all of course if they arent willing to exhange benefits for a higher wage). If they are, I don't think 115-120 would be unreasonable.

[MT2PA]

Re: the "non compete" - sounds like less of a non compete (which usually means you can't work for a similar specialty at all) and more of a "don't poach our patients".  As in, if you stay in the area and work for someone else, don't tell your patients to follow you to your new practice.

 

It's actually a pretty good offer for a new grad esp in the SE (depending on what part of the SE).

 

Countering so high (nearly a 30% increase!) only risks them walking away with a 'thanks but no thanks'.  If that's a risk you're willing to take, then counter what ever you want.

[qmoney22]

I think you should counter at 110K at least, you have leverage. Use it. They will not rescind their offer if you counter, it is expected that every candidate counters. The worst they can say is no. But I bet they will give it to you. 

 

Double-check on tail coverage and PTO days along with CME.

 

Let me know, curious to see the result.

 

Get ittttt!

[south]

That's a no-poaching clause, I wouldn't worry about it.  It's for when a provider decides to leave the practice and sends letters to the whole panel - "here's where I'm going, I can be reached there".

 

Not super familiar with psych, but I might be tempted to counter around 110k as well, and the PTO thing.  I would definitely keep the benefits thing on the table as well, if you start countering and re-countering you can throw down some kitchen math of the cost of your benefits to the practice.  

 

If you start there, just with COLA raises you'll be where you wanted money wise in a few years, having proven yourself.