Work location questions
Where will I work?
The MCW Department of Anesthesiology partners with Froedtert Health and Children’s Wisconsin, within eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center. Our clinical practice utilizes a physician-led anesthesia care team model, which includes CAAs, CRNAs, and Anesthesiology residents and fellows. Clinical learners include student AAs and medical students.
- Froedtert Hospital: A level-1 trauma center with 47 ORs; Anesthesiology also provides services to four cath lab suites, GI, the Eye Institute, MRI, Neuro, Cardiac and Imaging Services.
- Children’s Wisconsin: A level-1 trauma center pediatric hospital with 18 ORs. Anesthesiology also provides services to two cath lab suites, GI, Dental, MRI and Imaging Services.
- Ambulatory Surgery Centers: MCW Anesthesiology and our CAAs practice at four ASCs in the Milwaukee area, all within about a 30-minute drive of the main campus.
Compensation questions
What is the base pay range?
Our range starts at $175,000 and increases depending upon years of experience. There is an additional $10,000 tier pay for high-acuity sites.
Is there a sign-on bonus?
Yes! We offer a sign-on bonus of $25,000 (with three-year retention). We are also offering an additional $10,000 if you sign a contract with us within 90 days of the 2023 AAAA Meeting, for a total of $35,000 paid within 31 days of signing your contract!
Is there additional pay for overtime?
Yes!
What does MCW’s retirement plan entail?
MCW employees are enrolled in a 403(b) plan that includes both voluntary and mandatory contributions, so you can maximize retirement savings up to IRS limits. Plus, MCW offers an 8% empoyer match!
What CME benefits are provided?
Each CAA at 1.0 FTE receives five days of CME time off beyond vacation/sick/holiday time off; as well as $2,000 annually for professional development. AAAA membership is covered by the Anesthesiology Department.
Schedule questions
What type of schedule can I expect?
Our CAAs work Monday through Friday. No weekends, and limited night coverage, until 9 p.m. Typically, our CAAs have flexibility to choose from 4/10s: four 10-hour days per week, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; or 3/13s: three 13-hour days/week, from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
How far in advance is the schedule made?
Typically, 2-3 months.
Is it easy to trade days?
Yes!
Are you willing to hire partial FTEs?
Yes, we have opportunities for positions that are less than 1.0 FTE.
Do ORs often run late?
Late ORs are typically covered by the call residents or fellows, and the 13-hour CAAs and CRNAs. There is compensation for work performed significantly past one’s shift end.
Are cases scheduled on weekends?
No.
How are holidays covered?
CAAs are not required to work Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Children’s ORs do not honor “observed” holidays, so if you work in our Pediatric Division and one of these holidays occurs on a weekend, you may have to work on the observed day during the week.)
Will I be traveling to different facilities throughout the day?
No.
Is there OR call?
Currently, our CAAs do not participate in call.
Time off questions
What does MCW offer for time away from work?
- Vacation: New hires start with 20 days of paid time off (accrued), with increases at 5, 10 and 20 years of service.
- Sick: Employees receive seven days of paid sick time annually.
- Holidays: MCW has eight recognized paid holidays.
= 35 days total!
How are vacations awarded?
Vacation requests are lottery-based.
Are vacations given as single days or full weeks?
They can be either single days or full weeks.
What type of notice is required for time off?
Unless it is an urgent situation, time-off requests are generally requested to be submitted by the first of the month for the month in which it occurs (i.e., prior to Feb. 1 for time off on Feb. 22).
Is it possible to swap vacation time with colleagues?
Yes!