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Archive for June, 2016

First paycheck from the new job!

June 11th, 2016 at 11:46 pm

I posted this to the forum also but since I've shared more about the new job here, I figured I should mention it.

My first check was direct deposited Thursday night but I just realized it about an hour ago. I got paid for my 8 hours of orientation and the two 4-hour shifts I've worked so far, so 16 hours total.

They neglected to pay me for the 14 hours of computer training I did. I was kind of expecting that to happen and I really should have reminded the practice manager about that in advance. I just emailed her so I assume they'll add it to my next check in 2 weeks.

So now the new job is really official!

I'm sure you're wondering what the plan is for the additional income. Right now, my plan is to pay off DW's van. We owe about $1,700. This check was for just under $1,400 so that covers most of it and I'll pay the rest from the next check. That will drop our monthly expenses by $400, which is ironically convenient because our expenses are going up by about $450. Our auto insurance went up when DD got her car a few weeks ago. Our health insurance is going up. And a recurring medical bill is going up. Oh well. Easy come, easy go.

Report on the new job and a family emergency to deal with

June 5th, 2016 at 02:19 am

I realized I never posted anything after my first day at the new job.

To give a quick review, I'm a family practice doctor. I've been in private practice for 23 years, 16 at my current job. For various reasons, I decided it was time to start exploring other options and Urgent Care centers are popping up like weeds and in desperate need of doctors to staff them all. I interviewed with a couple and signed on to work per diem with one chain of centers connected to a big local hospital group. They currently have 5 centers, a 6th one not far from my house will open next month, and 1 or 2 more should open by the end of the year. So they are expanding rapidly and that just means more and more shifts to fill.

I did my first shift a week ago Thursday evening 5-9pm. It actually went pretty well I think. It got a bit hectic in the last hour or so and I was still muddling my way through the computer system but I managed (with the help of my one-on-one IT support person who was with me the whole time).

My next shift wasn't scheduled until 6/16 but I decided I needed to work before that to keep up on the learning curve so I picked up an open shift last night, also 5-9pm. That went much more smoothly than last week. I felt a lot more comfortable and confident in what I was doing. My IT guy was with me again and I made sure to work with him to clarify some specific workflow routines on the computer and I took good notes of the processes so that on future shifts when he isn't there anymore, I'll be able to know what I'm doing.

Right now, the 6/16 shift is the next one I've got booked. I was going to possibly pick up more but we got some bad news this morning as a very close relative was just diagnosed with colon cancer. He's in the hospital now getting worked up and will likely have surgery in the next few days. My wife and mother plan to fly down to Florida to be with him. My daughter and I will stay home. I don't want to commit to any more shifts until I have a better idea of what's going on with him. If not for that, I'm all set to jump into the new position on a regular basis.

The question now becomes what to do with my existing job. I'm still working full time there. My partner and I have already talked about me possibly reducing my office hours so that I can split my time more with the Urgent Care. Part of me really hates to leave the practice as I like what I do for the most part, but personally, professionally, and financially for sure, the new job has a lot of advantages. I don't think I'm going to make any decision for at least a couple of months but I've got a lot to think about. So for now, it's just a side gig and some nice extra money.