Radiology

More than 41% of radiologists separated from at least one practice over a recent four-year period, according to the Journal of the American College of Radiology, underscoring the specialty’s increasingly mobile nature.

Medical facilities bear the brunt of the costs associated with this transiency. Competition for a finite pool of qualified physicians is contributing to salary increases, with the average annual salary for radiologists exceeding $400,000 for the first time in 2019, up 3.6% over the previous year.

But salary growth is only a part of the burden for administrators. When a radiologist leaves, there’s the expense of recruiting and hiring a replacement; until the vacancy is filled, remaining staff must shoulder the stress of additional workload, including managing and training an interim locum tenens or a new hire. Any time a physician departs, there’s potential disruption for patients under their care.

One hard lesson learned during the pandemic is that healthcare providers must be agile­—ready to respond quickly and decisively when inevitable crises strike. When it comes to managing radiology staff in particular, some unique challenges and opportunities surfaced in the wake of COVID-19.

For a radiologist exploring new opportunities, here’s a familiar scenario: You’ve had the interview, you've been offered a position and now you're reviewing the contract. But do you know what to look for? Do you know what important points may not be explicitly included in writing? Many factors come into play when a radiologist considers signing a contract for employment. It often comes down to two things: Time and money. Here are some particular points you should consider before you sign.