The Key Elements Of A Clinician Contract

Clinician contracts are often complex documents that go through rigorous reviews and constant updates by hospital legal and compliance teams, as well as the clinician or physician group. Our team at TimeSmart.AI has seen hundreds of clinician contracts with many variations and there is no “one size fits all” approach to these documents. In this blog, we will break down some of the essential elements of a Clinician Contract

Key Elements of a Clinician Contract

There are several important components and elements of a clinician contract that are often included in a comprehensive physician contract, such as:

1. Job Duties and Responsibilities: Under this section, the exact duties and obligations that the physician is required to carry out during the term of the contract are listed.

2. Compensation: The physician’s salary or other kinds of agreed-upon payments are described. It is always advisable to use physician compensation management software for better payment management.

3. Contract Duration: This section outlines the time frame during which the agreement will be in force (the start and end date of the contract).

4. Termination Clauses: In this part, the circumstances under which the contract may be terminated – such as for convenience or without cause – are described.

5. Malpractice Insurance: The malpractice insurance coverage that will be offered to the clinician is outlined.

6. Non-compete Clause: This section describes any limitations on the physician’s ability to carry on his or her practice in the same region or with the same patient base after the contract expires.

7. Confidentiality: This component outlines any limitations present within the clinician’s capacity to reveal private information about the company or its clients.

8. Independent Contractor Status: Typically, this section describes the physician’s legal status with the company, including whether the clinician is an employee or independent contractor.

9. Scheduling: The clinician’s schedule is mapped out in this section, along with the hours they are expected to work, their call schedule, their on-call duties, and any vacation or time-off regulations.

10. Credentialing and Licensure: The standards that clinician must meet in order to retain their professional licenses and credentials is outlined. Usually, there is also mention of any associated expenses that the healthcare organization will bear.

11. Professional Development and Continuing Education: This area often explains any requirements the clinician may have to partake in professional development or continuing medical education. Any expenses related to these activities that may be paid for by the organization should also be clearly defined.

12. Evaluations of Performance: The procedure for evaluating the clinician’s performance and any related rewards or sanctions.

13. Patient Care and Billing: This section is one of the key elements of a clinician contract and describes the clinician’s obligations regarding patient care, including any particular protocols or rules that must be followed, as well as how billing and collections will be managed.

14. Assignment and Delegation: The clinician’s power to assign and, if necessary, delegate work to other healthcare professionals.

15. Laws and Regulations: The clinician’s obligations with regard to compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and CLIA as well as other laws, rules, and accreditation requirements.

And these elements only scratch the surface – it’s the details within each section of the contract that are critical. It is important to note that the terms and conditions may vary depending on the clinician’s specialty, the type of organization they are working with, and the laws and regulations of the state in which they are practicing. You may find our physician contract compliance checklist and physician contract policy management template helpful – these are free downloads available on our website.

Although there is no single standard clinician contract template that will work for every organization, ensuring that the critical elements of a clinician contract are captured will help hospitals and healthcare organizations avoid potential legal and compliance risks. It will also enable them to quickly onboard new physicians, negotiate and renew clinician contracts in an efficient manner, and be better prepared for contract audits. For more helpful information, follow us on X and LinkedIn.