Questions to ask in a physician job interview

An interview is a two-way street, so the employer should provide an opportunity for you to ask questions at or near the end of the interview. Be prepared with intelligent, relevant questions. The following list contains sample questions to give you a head start while interviewing.

Sample Questions to Ask

• What are the physician expectations in this practice setting?

  • Practice hours

  • Call schedule

  • Patient load

• Rounding schedule

• How are patients scheduled and how much time is allowed per patient?

• How much autonomy is allowed?

• Will there be mid-level supervision responsibilities?

• How are referrals handled?

• Be prepared to ask and answer “How and where would I fit into this organization?”

• Which of the following resources are available?

  • Library

  • Secretarial support

  • Transcription support

• What type of nursing support is available (medical assistant, LVN, RN)

• What is the financial viability of the group?

• What is the risk experience of the group, and what kind of support is given a physician in a risk situation?

• What kind of quality assurance plan is in place?

  • Proctoring

  • Peer review and feedback

• What type of community support is exhibited towards this practice?

• If married, what type of spousal support is available in the group?

• How have you determined the need for a physician?

• What is the volume of the practice, and what is the patient mix?

• How long have the physicians been in the group?

• How many physicians have left the group in the last five years? Why did they leave?

• Where did the other physicians in the group train, and are they board certified?

• What is the current referral pattern? From whom and where do they come?

• What is the competition in the community?

• Is there cross coverage? From whom? Will I be meeting them?

• What future do you see for the practice in three, five, 10 years from now?

• What are you looking for in an ideal candidate, both professionally and personally?

• How long have you been recruiting for the position?

• Where is the hospital located in relation to the office?

• How many beds and what major services and facilities does the hospital offer?

• What specialties are represented on medical staff?

• What are the average earnings of the group by specialty?

• What is the group’s overhead? What is the department overhead?

• What is your collection ratio?

• How is income divided between net income and expenses among the total group? How is it divided among the partners?

• Will productivity be part of my income? If so, when will these payments begin, what will they be based on, and when will they be received?

• Will I have nonpatient responsibilities? If so, what will they be and how much time will I have to devote to them?

• What is the route to partnership?

• When would you like to have the new physician start?