texas2008pa Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 So, I know this sounds crazy, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of a PA with 2 part-time jobs...in 2 different specialties. I currently work full-time in Neurology. My dream and passion has always been Derm, but I could not find a Derm job after graduation, and the Neurology opportunity fell in my lap. While looking for Derm jobs a couple of years ago, I sent out resumes to probably 50 Derms in the city where I live. I did not have much luck with that, but hoped that someone would hold on to my letter and resume and that maybe it would pay off down the road. Fast forward 2 years...I received an email several days ago from a very successful Derm that was one of the ones to receive my resume. She is looking for a PA to work 1 week per month in her single provider practice. Of course, I was disappointed to see that she is only looking for part-time because I need full-time employment. However, to get my foot in the door in Derm is a dream come true. I know that once she sees how valuable a PA would be that the opportunity could become full-time, but what do I do in the mean time? My current Neurology position is not as busy as one would hope. On a good day, I see 9 or 10 patients. I am wondering if I could work 3 weeks/month there and 1week/month at the Derm. This sounds so odd, but wanted to hear what others thought about it. Any other ideas would be appreciated, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 9, 2011 Moderator Share Posted June 9, 2011 LOTS of pa's work multiple specialties at the same time. I have several friends who do em or urgent care+ ortho, urology, pain management, nephrology, trauma, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted June 9, 2011 Moderator Share Posted June 9, 2011 in past have worked IM and internal med/physiatry ER and IM Chronic Pain and Ortho IM and Urgent care/occ health mostly with a primary and a per diem but the per diems are usually basically part time (I have done this typically to help out local practices) sure can do it might be hard to get health ins and bennies through a true part time job though - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piper Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I moonlight with several PAs in urgent care. Their full-time jobs include orthopedics, hospitalist, family medicine, and ENT. I just wound up a gig working as a temporary research specialist in a basic reseach lab along with part-time urgent care. I LOVED the mix of lab research and urgent care and would continue to do it full time if I could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFarnsworth Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 It can be done. I have 3 part time jobs: One in FP/Occ med, one in Urgent Care, and one in Derm including cosmetics. I wouldn't want to do any one of them full time, but the mix is great and I work when I want to. It didn't happen for me right away (did surg for 10 years first) but it did happen. All it took was stating what I was willing to work and being firm about it. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2305 Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I have to think leaving the Y every morning as to which job to head to. FP or Urgent Care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
convulsed Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 i have two part time and im going back to school .its brutal but whatever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas2008pa Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 Thanks for the input. It's reassuring to hear that this is not a crazy idea. My next question: when telling my current SP that I want to work 3 weeks per month, do I tell him I have another job lined up or do I not need to explain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewtonsApple Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 @ convulsed, I am curious if you would like to share why you are going back to school and what fields you work in part time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasPA Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 What are you going back to school for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neurospine Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Once every 2 week I'm the PA for a high school football team. I love it, I have the uniform too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guthriesm Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Sounds like you can definitely have two specialties as long as you are willing. As for how to approach your boss, you need to be very clear, concise, and prepared. Since your current commitment is [x], can you meet your requirements with the modified (3week/month) schedule? How will this change your earning potential for the practice? You don't need to tell him you want to take the week to work at Derm- you can but that isn't the important part. All they need to know is can they accomplish what they want with you working less physical days. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittryn Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have worked: gen surg/ED gen surg/UC ED/ortho I have been able to get bennies (pro-rated, of course), with PT jobs. per diem, no. but you usually get a better hourly rate. as for telling your boss, I agree with guthriesm -- keep it simple. if you come in on the defense (explaining yourself from the get-go), it is a downhill slide. just put in the terms guthriesm suggested: clear, concise; and stick to asking whether or not you will still be of value to the service on an altered schedule. if you have benefits now with the neuro, you might be able to still get pro-rated (0.75) bennies from them. let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocialMedicine Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 sounds like it would be real hard to develop command in two specialties such as neurology and dermatology. almost hard to believe unlesss your practice is limited in both areas ... or you have already developed your neurology skill. the 1 week u cover derm will an MD or experienced provider be there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas2008pa Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 So, I spoke with both of my SPs (separately) and told them about the opportunity. I think they were quite surprised. Neither one of them seemed thrilled about the idea, but did not say no. They said they needed to think about it. My favorite SP said he would prefer that I not take the derm job, but said he didn't want to hold me back if this was something I really wanted. So, I'm waiting to see if they give me their blessing. I also mentioned it to my practice manager/COO to feel him out. He seemed very receptive as did our clinical manager. I think the clinical manager understands that this would be fulfilling for me and would keep me happier. While I like and have the utmost respect for my SPs, I have been frustrated with how I am treated as a mid-level there. I had to ask for my annual review and then it took nearly 6 weeks for them to take the time to sit down with me. I was not offered a raise and was told that I wasn't even covering my costs. They only make my RVUs available to me- I do not have access to my collections. They offer a production bonus starting at 500 RVUs/3 month average, but I have not even come close in the 15 months I've been there. It's not because I don't work hard- it's a scheduling issue. There have been days where I only have 3 patients on my schedule. I have tried to be proactive and bug my scheduler to fill me up- but it's touch and go. They must have sensed my disappointment at not getting a raise, because I was just told yesterday that I was getting an anniversary bonus. $1,000??? Really? I mean it's better than nothing, but after taxes it's pretty insignificant. Then they said they are going to try and lower the bonus structure so I can attain the first level- but made sure to let me know I wouldn't be covering my costs until I'm at 400 RVUs. So, I'm frustrated. I think I can be just as productive working 3 weeks out of the month vs. 4. They say they want to make me busier, but I just don't see this happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas2008pa Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 sounds like it would be real hard to develop command in two specialties such as neurology and dermatology. almost hard to believe unlesss your practice is limited in both areas ... or you have already developed your neurology skill. the 1 week u cover derm will an MD or experienced provider be there? I've worked in Neuro for nearly 3 years and have about a year of Derm experience as well. I don't have any doubt that I can do both well. No, there will not be an MD or other provider there. I will be seeing primarily follow ups and skin cancer screenings, doing biopsies, etc...(ie very routine derm). Of course, there will be a training period prior to the doc leaving me on my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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