Eight things to do before you quit your job

High demand and high rates of burnout are driving family physicians into the job market. If you’ve decided to make a move, careful preparation will help to ensure a smooth transition. Here are eight things to do before you submit your resignation:

1. Review all documents you have signed related to your current employment. This includes your employment agreement as well as any shareholder or operating agreements.

2. Review your employer’s policies related to termination of employment. Identify any important differences between these policies and your employment agreement that need to be resolved.

3. Develop a plan for notifying patients. You’ll need to work with your employer to determine what will be said and through what channels it will be communicated, taking into account any state requirements.

4. Comply with any advance notice provisions. Some employment agreements require surprisingly long notice periods.

5. Review your retirement plan. Be sure your departure date won’t result in any unnecessary forfeitures.

6. Cover your tail. Determine whether you or your employer are responsible for procuring malpractice tail coverage. This should be covered in your employment agreement. If you are responsible, you might be able to negotiate with your new practice to pay for it.

7. Understand who owns patient charts. These are almost always the property of the employer, but patients may be able to request that their charts be forwarded to the departing physician.

8. Review noncompete covenants. Be sure you understand the time period and geographic restriction.

Read the full FPM article: “A Must-Do List for the Departing Physician.”