new job dilemma

[JenaW]

I posted here a few weeks ago about what to wear for a job interview - (I am a OBGYN PA who has been out of work for several years). Since then, I have had 3 more interviews and was emailed a contract early Sunday morning. We were out of the country all last week and I had another meeting today, as well as a new employee physical, although I have not officially accepted yet. I need some advice.

*Please don't cut/paste my post, as I will most likely come back later and delete this. *

I am at a loss. I REALLY want to go back to work, as I feel like 4-6 years in the field of medicine is getting me close to the point where I become obsolete. Although I am not certain I REALLY want THIS particular job. I always thought if/when I did return to work that it would not be an office-based practice unless I could find a supervising physician that shares my conservative Catholic views (namely that I am pro-life and pro-NFP/non-contracepting). I realize that in the field I work in, the vast majority of women do not share my beliefs. For the record, I would NEVER tell a patient what my personal beliefs are, nor would I ever think any less of her for decisions she would make that are not in line with my own. I was able to negotiate clinical duties that I am comfortable with, although in an ideal world, I would work on Labor and Delivery where none of these issues are a concern. So, even though I am "comfortable" with my job description, there is still a small part of me that does not want to deal with these things. Fast forward to the contract. Unfortunately, the salary is about $15/hr LESS than what I would make if I were working in a hospital. Now this is a federally funded clinic, so that could be part of it. However, by the time I have taxes taken out (close to 50% of my gross if not more) and pay a sitter (including paying her for the travel time of at least an hour or more that I am not paid for), I won't even be bringing home minimum wage!! They also included a 120 day written notice to quit, and a 2 yr, 10 mile radius non-compete clause (which would preclude me from my ideal job at the hospital I want to work at). Unfortunately, the two people I need to discuss these issues with were not available today. One month ago when I started this entire process, I was told the job involved 1 or 2 clinic days, plus rounding and call. I told them from the beginning that working on T/Th would be difficult for me due to sitter availability and preschool/OT for my daughters. I thought we had agreed on W/F clinic all day, with occasional rounding Thurs am and 1-2 nights of call/week. My contract says "a mutually agreeable schedule with preference given to patient needs." Today, the office manager told me they now want me to work Thurs afternoons, in addition to or most likely instead of Weds. I already have a sitter lined up for W and F. Of our 3 sitters none are available Thurs afternoons. I told her as much at our meeting today, and asked her to clarify with the OBGYN. (FWIW I have never been in the same room at the same time with the administration and the physician, so I am always hearing different things from different people). After an incredibly stressful day (on top of which I feel like I am getting the flu), I just got an email saying they really want me on Thurs afternoons, and therefore would like me to only do Thurs afternoon and all day Fri since I already said I won't do three full days in a row. I feel awful because one of our sitters is only available on Wednesdays, AND she rearranged her own class, job, and clinical schedule (she is a nursing student) so she COULD be available Wednesdays. I am 99% certain none are free Thurs, so that would mean finding someone new, which is not easy in our small town with 5 young kids! I know I should feel lucky just to have a job offer, which in today's climate is NOT a given, nor something to be taken for granted. But I am starting to feel like I just want to bag the whole thing.

Can someone talk this through with me. How much negotiating can I do before they get fed up and withdraw their offer? I simply will NOT sign a contract with a 2yr non compete clause as I think that is insane for a per diem physician assistant who can not set up her own practice anyways. (Also, this population is unlikely to follow a provider to another location. They go to that particular clinic because it is what is close to them. There are not a lot of options). I also think 120 day notice to quit is excessive. I am not thrilled with the lower salary, but I will be compensated for rounding and potentially for call, so I can live with it. Now I need to renegotiate the schedule too. HELP!!!

J