WORKING WITH LIAISONS / AGENTS
What is a Physician Liaison?
The job of a Physician Liaison is similar to that
of a recruiter. The major difference is that
rather than developing a short list of paid client
employers and then searching for an appropriate
candidate to fit those clients' needs, the Physician
Liaison begins with the candidate's needs. The Liaison then identifies appropriate
clients from a large pool of practice opportunities.
Benefiting from your Liaison
Always be professional. Like a recruiter, your
liaison has a responsibility to the employer.
Therefore, you want to treat the Liaison with the
same integrity, professionalism, and respect that you
would a prospective employer. Be confident and
charming. The more effectively you sell yourself to
your Liaison, the better your Liaison can sell you
to prospective employers.
Be honest and forthcoming. When your Liaison is
clear about your needs and career goals, he or she
is best able to identify the kinds of opportunities
that will meet those goals. The same is true in
meeting your familial and social needs. Because the
Liaison will always present you to employers in your
best light, you can be comfortable discussing
personal concerns about the position or the
community. Let the Liaison know what your interest
level is with regard to each opportunity, especially
if there is one in which you have no interest at
all.
Communicate regularly. After any contact with a
prospective employer, always call your Liaison
immediately. A Physician Liaison will have important
feedback and advice for you throughout the entire
employment process, so be sure to keep them in the
loop. Ensure that your Liaison can always reach you
with important information about opportunities and
negotiations. If you feel that a position isn't
right for you, but you think it would be a good fit
for a colleague, be sure to tell the Liaison. This
kind of networking will also help you to develop
your career.
Contract negotiations
Your Physician Liaison will act as your contract
negotiator. Don't discuss money or compensation with
the employer. Financial negotiations are often the
most tension filled and stressful aspect of the
hiring process. Having a Physician Liaison negotiate
for you will allow you to focus your energy on
evaluating the practice, working conditions, environment, and
community. You will also be able
to establish relationships with your new colleagues
without any "baggage" lingering from the negotiation
process.
What is a physician's Agent?
A Physician's Agent is not a recruiter. A
Physician's Agent works as the physician's advocate
in locating and negotiating career opportunities,
similar to the agents of professional athletes and
actors. Physician's Agents have extensive knowledge
of the physician employment market, and are experts
in employment contract negotiation.
Agents versus Liaisons
Physician's Agents differ from Physician Liaisons
in several ways. Physician's Agents work for the
physician, not the employer. Because they do not
collect recruiting fees from an employer,
Physician's Agents are able to gain placement for
their clients in highly competitive areas where
employers do not feel a need to use recruiting
services. They can also obtain placements in
prestigious positions with various government and
nonprofit agencies constrained from using
recruiters. In addition to this broader access to
the physician employment market, Physician's agents
bring to bear their strategic negotiation expertise
to ensure their client the most attractive
compensation package available. |
