Physician Employment Due Diligence Checklist
- Physicians provide medical care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes, and in private practice. They are often hired using a physician recruitment agency that scouts hospitals across the globe looking for the best doctors. A due diligence checklist for physician employment should include license verification, a criminal background check, and a check of references, including past employers. These checks should be completed only with written permission.
- Verify a physician's license by contacting the board of medicine in the state in which her license to practice medicine was issued. Check to make sure the license is valid and active. This can be done online, by written request or by phone. Proof of the license's validity can be sent via email, fax or postal service. License verification should precede the physician's hiring, to ensure she is authorized to practice medicine.
- Perform a criminal background check to ensure the physician does not have any criminal history that may affect his ability to practice medicine. For example, a doctor with a prior drug conviction may not qualify to work in certain facilities. Background checks can also indicate how stable a physician's personal life is, which can be a factor in his ability to perform the job. You can have background checks done -- using fingerprints or personal information such as a Social Security number -- by law enforcement agencies such as the Bureau of Criminal Investigations or private companies that specialize in criminal background checks.
- Talk to previous employers and other references listed in the physician's resume. Ask about the physician's bedside manner, knowledge and ability to diagnose and treat patients. Look for unbiased opinions from health care providers rather than personal references. Find out whether the physician can work under pressure and work well with others. Contact past instructors, supervising residents or attending physicians under whom newer physicians may have worked to ascertain their ability and likelihood to perform all aspects of the job according to professional standards.
- Investigate to determine whether the physician has been accused of malpractice or found liable in a court of law. Check with the civil court systems in all areas where the doctor has practiced medicine to see whether any complaints were filed against him. Check to see how the case was resolved, or whether a settlement was reached. Contact a lawyer, court specialist or investigative service if you need help.
- Contact the state board of medicine or department of professional regulation to find out whether the physician has had any formal professional complaints filed against her by a colleague. A complaint may be filed by a doctor who feels a peer has violated the Hippocratic oath or acted in an unprofessional and unacceptable manner. Look at the number, type and results of any professional complaints filed against the physician.
