on-call compensation

[betheliza]

I started a new job in April of this year. My contract is a three year contract, renewing annually. It does not mention taking call. A few weeks ago, the practice manager approached the nurse practitioner and myself about starting to take call. Neither of our contracts mention being on call whatsoever, not that we are expected to do so, nor that we are not expected to do so. We both said that we would expect additional compensation for this. What is fair compensation for taking call?

 

The practice manager told me that this would probably go into effect 'next month,' which means next week, but the person who would typically determine the pay for this type of thing, the finance director, just recently resigned. The company president thinks this would be a great first task for the new finance director, who has yet to be hired. I don't particularly wish to start taking call until I know how I will be paid for it.

 

I work for a company that owns multiple practices. It is a 'sister' company to the large local hospital. I work in the otolaryngology office with two physicians and a nurse practitioner.

 

Any suggestions?

[betheliza]

I should mention that I am paid on salary. I have a bonus in place in my contract, but it is based on RVUs. I don't for see myself meeting my RVUs because I typically am scheduled to see patients one day per week. Two days weekly, I see new patients before the surgeon sees them. (He gets the RVUs for these patients). The other two days i am doing dictations, going through lab results and answering patient phone calls. We have hospital consults frequently, as well, but again, the doctor usually gets the RVUs for these. Consequently, I am already working at least 50 hours a week, but am only paid for 40. We are talking about how to restructure the way my bonus is determined also, but this, again, is going to be ultimately determined by the new finance director.

 

There certainly are good aspects of the contract as well, 4 weeks vacation, with an additional week for CME. $1500 annual CME budget, plus picking up the tab for all fees associated with professional memberships, NCCPA certification, state licensure, hospital staff fees.

 

Still, I already feel like I'm not being paid quite adequately for the work that I'm doing.

 

Thanks for your consideration and input!

 

Beth

[rev ronin]

I'd be really straightforward: "I am not currently compensated for call. I would welcome a discussion about appropriate compensation for call, and am willing to take call once a mutually favorable contract modification has been approved." In other words, an entirely polite but firm "no".

[Brian Wallace]

I have a similar question. A doc in the my practice who does not have a PA has asked me to take call with him. I would only do phone calls for the practice. He would do ER visits. I have no idea what a reasonable compensation would be. Overnight? A weekend? A holiday?

[ventana]

weeknight - 1/4 of a days pay - it is not about revenue - it is about a quality of life issue for the doc's (and pa's that have been doing it for a while!)

 

Don't volunteer you call hours.....

 

weekend call - phone only? $500-$1000

 

if you have to go in - minimum $200 and 1.5 time after one hour....

 

Make it hurt enough for them to pay you that they don't abuse you.