Open or closed staff?

A competent medical contract lawyer should always review any contract prior to your signing. Physicians often rush into a contract under the press of the moment and the good behavior of all parties during the initial courtship phase. Situations can become very nasty during the termination phases of a contract, and you should have researched potential termination scenarios long before they become a reality. Every contract should have a strong non-compete clause clearly written into it. If your potential partner refuses to sign a contract with a strong non-compete clause in it, you may rest assured that this individual may have already coveted your position in the center. As a radiation oncologist, your best protection is to have some type of equity ownership and therefore a voice in the administration and direction of a freestanding center. This will give you the greatest possible security in terms of control over staffing, billing and managerial matters.