The PA Is In | Tracy Bingaman | Physician Assistant/Physician Associate/PA-C/PA-S/PA Student

Proven Strategies to Earn More While Working Less

What if cutting your hours didn’t mean cutting your income? In this episode, Tracy unpacks exactly how to negotiate your compensation when you make the leap to part-time work—and spoiler alert: you can earn more while working less.

Most clinicians default to accepting prorated salaries without question, but that doesn’t have to be your story. There are smarter, more strategic ways to structure your pay—and this episode shows you how to ask for them with confidence.

💼 Inside this episode:

• The biggest mistake providers make when going part-time
  

• 4 specific negotiation strategies to maximize pay
  

• Phrases to use in your negotiation meeting
  

• Susie’s story: how she dropped 20+ hours/week and increased her income
  

• Why how you get paid matters just as much as how much
  

Whether you’re considering part-time or already there and ready to earn more, this episode is packed with tools to help you advocate for what you’re worth.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 📥 Download the 5-Step Guide to a Smooth Part-Time Pivot
  

• 📅 Book a 1:1 Coaching Call to build your personalized transition plan
  

🛤 Join Pathway to Part-Time – the group coaching program designed to help you shift with clarity and confidence

Keywords:

negotiate part-time pay, work less earn more, PA salary negotiation, how to negotiate as a PA, cutting clinical hours, part-time physician associate, negotiating hourly rate, RVU-based compensation, productivity pay models, clinician bonus structure, premium shift differentials, PA part-time pay, increase income part-time, clinician career coaching, provider compensation strategies, how to avoid prorated salary

A Mindset Exercise to Help You Make the Right Decision with Confidence

You’re staring down a big decision—going part-time. And with it? A mountain of fear and doubt. What if you regret it? What if it messes with your finances or your identity as a healthcare provider? What if you can’t go back?

These fears are totally normal—but they don’t get to drive your decisions.

In this episode, Tracy walks you through a powerful mindset exercise to help you untangle fear from fact, evaluate your “what ifs,” and make a confident, informed decision about going part-time.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• Why fear is normal—but not in charge
  

• A 4-step “Fear vs. Reality” exercise to gain clarity
  

• How to plan for worst-case and best-case scenarios
  

• What confidence really looks like (hint: it’s not certainty)
  

• One simple step to move forward with purpose
  

🎯 If you’re wrestling with fear and indecision, this episode will help you feel grounded, prepared, and in control.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 📥 Download the 5-Step Guide to a Smooth Part-Time Pivot
  

• 📅 Book a 1:1 Coaching Call to build your personalized transition plan
  

🛤 Join Pathway to Part-Time – the group coaching program designed to help you shift with clarity and confidence

Keywords: going part-time as a PA, part-time transition healthcare, fear of regret career change, mindset for change, fear vs reality exercise, overcoming doubt, confidence in decision making, part-time schedule pros and cons, PA burnout recovery, physician associate part-time work, part-time lifestyle, work-life balance for clinicians, coaching for PAs, healthcare career pivot, planning a part-time transition

Thinking about going part-time?

Pause right there.

Before you submit your request or fantasize about slow mornings and midweek hikes, there are 4 critical conversations you need to have first—because adjusting your schedule isn’t just about hours. It’s about your identity, finances, career trajectory, and relationships.

In this episode, I’m giving you the blueprint to transition with clarity, confidence, and support by walking you through the exact conversations you must have—with yourself, your partner, your financial advisor, and your employer—before making the leap.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to redefine your identity when you’re not working full-time

✅ How to get your partner on board without starting WWIII

✅ The money questions you must answer to avoid future regret

✅ How to present a compelling business case to your employer—and what to say when they push back

💡 Whether you're craving flexibility, protecting your peace, or working toward sustainability in medicine, these conversations are non-negotiable.

📌 Resources mentioned:

• Free Guide: 5-Step Part-Time Pivot

• Book a 1:1 Strategy Call

• Join the Part-Time Pathway Program
  

  
  

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I’m continuing our Back to Basics money series with PA and financial guru, Sarah Miller. Today, Sarah and I discuss all types of savings goals. Whether you’re saving for a short-term goal, medium-term goal, or long-term goal, we cover it all. 

Sarah defines what constitutes these different types of goals and gives examples for each. She also discusses where we should be keeping the money for each type of savings goal. Tune in to learn how to optimize your savings!

Sarah is a personal finance nerd who learned about finances and investing from an early age from her father and grandfather, who both spent their careers in the corporate finance world. As an adult, Sarah immersed herself in the personal finance and FIRE spheres, learning from top experts. Sarah is my personal go-to for all financial questions, and she’s here to share her knowledge with all of you!

SPONSORS

Pathway to Part-Time Coaching: https://tracybingaman.myflodesk.com/part-time/checkout

Drink LMNT: http://elementallabs.refr.cc/default/u/tracybingaman

CONNECT WITH SARAH

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-miller-pa-va/

RESOURCES

Previous episodes in Back to Basics Money Series: 

283: Back to Basics: Meet Sarah

287: Back to Basics: What Actually IS Investing?

290: Back to Basics: Traditional versus Roth - What’s the Difference?

293: Back to Basics: The Best Investments for Long-Term Success

296: Back to Basics: How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?

COACHING

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠ 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠  

LINKS

EPISODE BLOG POST https://www.tracybingaman.com/blog

⁠TRACY ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

⁠TRACY ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

How to Financially Prepare for a Smooth & Stress-Free Transition to Part-Time Work

Dreaming of part-time work but worried about the financial impact? In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 essential financial checkpoints you must review before cutting back your hours. From managing debt and budgeting smartly to evaluating your emergency fund and retirement contributions, you’ll get a step-by-step checklist to ensure your pivot to part-time is sustainable—not stressful. 

Tracy shares personal stories, practical strategies, and negotiation tips to help you make a confident and empowered transition. Plus, discover how to test your budget, protect your benefits, and plan for peace of mind. Don’t miss the free guide and exclusive invite to the Part-Time Pathway coaching program to help you make the leap with clarity.

📌 Resources mentioned:

• Free Guide: 5-Step Part-Time Pivot

• Book a 1:1 Strategy Call

• Join the Part-Time Pathway Program

part-time PA transition, financial checklist for clinicians, PA burnout recovery, reduce clinical hours, budgeting for part-time work, debt payoff strategy, emergency fund planning, part-time income prep, retirement contributions part-time, healthcare benefits negotiation, hidden costs of part-time work, side gigs for clinicians, work-life balance for PAs, sustainable clinical careers, physician associate financial planning, CME reimbursement, part-time pivot coaching, flexible PA jobs

 Think going part-time means slashing your salary? Think again. In this episode, I’m busting the biggest myth about part-time clinical work—that you have to earn less. 

I’ll walk you through creative ways to get paid that aren’t salary, from hourly rates and RVU-based pay to bonuses and side gigs. You’ll learn how to structure your compensation to increase income, maximize flexibility, and negotiate like a pro. 

If you’re ready to work fewer hours without sacrificing your financial goals, this episode is a must-listen. Plus, I’ve got free resources to help you make the leap and expert support for your part-time pivot. Let’s build a role that fits your life.

part-time PA jobs, salary negotiation, RVU pay, productivity-based pay, hourly clinical roles, part-time provider income, shift differentials, clinician side gigs, PA compensation tips, work-life balance, provider coaching, physician associate podcast, clinician burnout recovery, PA work schedule flexibility, healthcare income tips, part-time clinician strategies, negotiating part-time contracts, PA work-life balance, creative compensation models, flexible healthcare jobs, PA career coaching

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Free Guide: 5-Step Part-Time Pivot

• Gig List: 47 Side Hustles for Clinicians

• Book a 1:1 Strategy Call

• Join the Pathway to Part-Time Program

Deep in the depths of healthcare burnout, I did something completely off the wall and purchased a season pass to our local ski mountain. That choice? It saved me!

Learn the importance of a hobby and movement in your journey to heal your healthcare burnout!

📅 Want to make sure you don’t fall into these mistakes? Book a Part-Time Pivot Call—let’s map out your plan together. Link in the show notes!

⁠JOIN THE PATHWAY TO PART-TIME COACHING COHORT⁠⁠https://tracybingaman.myflodesk.com/part-time⁠ 

⁠BOOK YOUR PART-TIME PIVOT COACHING CALL⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/part-time-provider⁠ 

FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/tracy_untamed/

Keywords: Skiing saved my life, skiing for mental health, burnout recovery, hobbies for burnout, ski therapy, PA burnout, work-life balance, winter sports mental health, skiing comeback, finding joy again, self-care hobbies, ski season pass, women’s ski clinics, PA career advice, outdoor therapy, skiing community, ski moms, skiing and identity, overcoming burnout, physician assistant lifestyle, skiing mental clarity, stress relief through skiing, personal growth through sports, Eve Rodsky Unicorn Space, winter wellness activities, how hobbies save lives, reclaiming passion, self-discovery through skiing.

Going part-time sounds amazing—until you realize how many mistakes can trip you up. If you don’t approach this transition strategically, you could end up with a lower income, frustrated employer, and the same workload you had before.

In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest mistakes clinicians make when going part-time—and, most importantly, how to avoid them. Whether you’re worried about finances, employer pushback, or setting boundaries, this episode will help you make the transition smoothly and successfully.

📅 Want to make sure you don’t fall into these mistakes? Book a Part-Time Pivot Call—let’s map out your plan together. Link in the show notes!

JOIN THE PATHWAY TO PART-TIME COACHING COHORThttps://tracybingaman.myflodesk.com/part-time 

BOOK YOUR PART-TIME PIVOT COACHING CALLhttps://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/part-time-provider 

Did you know you can specialize when you work in primary care? As a surgical PA, I’ve worked in various surgical subspecialities, but the concept of primary care subspecialities was brand new to me. My guest today, Alex Childs, shares his story of specializing in pharmacogenetics as a primary care PA.  

Alex is a PA with a Doctor of Medical Science degree working in family medicine in Utah. Alex’s doctorate research focused on implementing genetic testing in primary care. In practice, he has done this with hereditary cancer risk testing and pharmacogenetic testing. 

In today’s episode, Alex shares what he loves about working in primary care and gives actionable tips on how to thrive as a primary care provider. Alex also explained what the heck pharmacogenetics is and how he uses it to provide high quality care and early interventions with his patients. He also describes how he began working as an medical science liaison (MSL) in industry while still working as a family medicine PA. 

I think my favorite part of our discussion was talking about how every medical provider can get their joy back when it comes to practicing medicine. Press play to learn how to find your passion for medicine again if you’ve been feeling burned out. 

SPONSORS

AAPA Job Source: aapa.org/pajobsource

Freed AI [DISCOUNT CODE: PA50] https://www.getfreed.ai

REFERENCES

1. Fred HL, Scheid MS. Physician burnout: causes, consequences, and (?) cures. Tex Heart Inst J. 2018;45(4):198-202. doi:10.14503/THIJ-18-6842

2. Samuel D. Who Are Medical Science Liaisons? THE MSL. March 27, 2020. Accessed February 3, 2025. https://themsljournal.com/article/who-are-medical-science-liaisons/

3. Carrau D, Janis JE. Physician burnout: solutions for individuals and organizations. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021;9(2):e3418. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003418

CONNECT WITH ALEX

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-childs-565b4884

COACHING

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠ 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠  

LINKS

⁠TRACY ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

⁠TRACY ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

Keywords: Pharmacogenetic testing, Hereditary cancer risk testing, PA career growth, Primary care subspecialties, Doctor of Medical Science PA, Physician assistant career paths, PA industry jobs, PA professional development, Genetic testing in medicine, How to thrive as a primary care PA.

Secondary keywords: Pharmacogenetic testing, Hereditary cancer risk testing, PA career growth, Primary care subspecialties, Doctor of Medical Science PA, Physician assistant career paths, PA industry jobs, PA professional development, Genetic testing in medicine, How to thrive as a primary care PA

Long-tail keywords: Can physician associates specialize in primary care?, How to implement genetic testing in primary care, Pharmacogenetics for primary care providers, What is a medical science liaison (MSL) in healthcare?, Career options for physician associates outside clinical practice, How PAs can work in both industry and clinical practice, Overcoming burnout as a primary care provider

Feeling overworked but scared to ask for fewer clinical days? I’ve been there.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I went from a 5-day plus workweek to a 4-day workweek to 3 days—without losing financial stability or career growth. I’ll walk you through how I structured my proposal, overcame objections, and made it easy for my employer to say YES.

📅 Want help making this happen for yourself? Book a Part-Time Pivot Call, and let’s build your strategy together. Link in the show notes!

JOIN THE PATHWAY TO PART-TIME COACHING COHORThttps://tracybingaman.myflodesk.com/part-time 

BOOK YOUR PART-TIME PIVOT COACHING CALLhttps://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/part-time-provider