9 Questions Every Physician Assistant Should Ask Their Employer
You may have some questions before you start your career as a physician assistant. What is the compensation? What are my job responsibilities? And do I need individual PA malpractice insurance? At CM&F we want to provide you with more than affordable physician assistant malpractice insurance. We want to be a resource for you as you advance your career. The following list of questions are important to review with your new employer, or even with your existing employer as you change positions. Use the below guide to help you get the answers you need as you navigate new career opportunities – and whether or not you need to invest in your own malpractice insurance for physician assistants.
What are the job responsibilities of a physician assistant at your company?
Physician assistant responsibilities can span a variety of areas depending on the specialty you enter, the size of your place of employment, or even local laws and regulations enforced by the state medical board. It is always a good idea to clarify what your daily responsibilities are, what your employer’s expectations are, and what you are legally allowed or not allowed to do within PA scope of practice.
Are there any continuing education opportunities to further my career as a physician assistant?
The physician assistant profession undergoes changes all the time. As the laws change, and the medical boards expand the roles of physician assistants, advancing your education, keeping current with medical best practices or getting specialty certificates for specific fields of medicine are just a few of the myriad ways physician assistants can expand their career.
As you further study the physician assistant profession, it is especially vital to have your own professional physician assistant insurance policy. Even if your employer is encouraging or paying for you to get continuing education, their malpractice insurance policy will not cover you outside of the office and your regular working hours.
CM&F’s malpractice insurance for physician assistants is comprehensive and flexible, designed to fluctuate with the changing relevant laws, so you know you are always covered within scope of practice as outlined within your policy.
Are there any physician assistant professional associations that I should consider joining?
Each state has local physician assistant associations or chapters of a larger national organization. One of the more prestigious associations is the American Association of physician assistants which is made up of over 100,000 members. We support working with national or local physician assistant programs that help further the risk education of physician assistants by keeping their personal livelihood protected from future medical malpractice claims.
Find out from your employer if membership comes with your employment, or if they provide any additional benefits to you for being a member of a physician assistant association.
As an employee, do I have malpractice or professional liability insurance for my physician assistant position?
We insure healthcare groups & clinics, so we know firsthand that your employer’s policy will not have you as their main interest when it comes to malpractice legal cases or settlements – despite their best intentions.
If your employer does offer professional PA malpractice insurance, what is their coverage plan? Ask for it in writing so you can review it and present it in the future should a malpractice claim arise.
Does the PA malpractice insurance policy start right away?
Make sure there are no gaps in coverage as you transition employment, positions, or insurance companies. Reach out to CM&F’s client services team for advice and assistance as you evaluate your PA professional liability insurance options.
Should I have my own physician assistant malpractice insurance plan?
Having your own personal physician assistant liability insurance policy will ensure that your interests are the priority and that your livelihood is protected. CM&F’s individual physician assistant malpractice insurance options are attached to you, covering you wherever you go and wherever you work.
What is the starting salary of my position? How does that compare to the average?
Salary negotiations are often a tough subject for interviewees, newly hired or newly promoted employees. Make sure to do research on the starting, average and maximum salary rates for your position, in your medical field, in your state. With the salary being offered, also be sure to measure the additional benefits like PTO, continuing education or access to personal physician assistant malpractice insurance.
What does physician assistant malpractice insurance cost?
Physician assistant malpractice insurance cost varies depending on position, type of coverage, and location. At CM&F, PA malpractice insurance is affordable and comprehensive with plans as low as $81.00 a month. Our competitors cannot match our all-encompassing coverage plans at our prices. Learn more about physician assistant liability insurance pricing for your specific specialty and in your state.
What do I need to do to succeed as a physician assistant?
Know the expectations of your employer. If you know the expectations and meet or exceed them on a daily basis, as well as show drive and motivation to grow, your career will advance in no time. CM&F is adamant about protecting the livelihood of physician assistants for this very reason. A professional liability insurance policy for physician assistants with CM&F reduces personal financial risk, damages to your reputation, as well as license or medical board repercussions.
The CM&F Advantage
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CM&F was founded over a century ago. Through up and down markets, CM&F’s dedication to physician assistants has never wavered. CM&F remains committed to making it easy and cost effective to secure vital professional coverage with:
- A++ Rated Insurance & Most Comprehensive Physician Assistant Liability Insurance Products
- Outstanding Customer Service with a Direct Contact Line
- Superior Claims Management
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