Assistant Pay

[OPTNOVA]

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Hello I had a few questions about how much an optometrist's assistant and other office help usually make? I just started work at a place and I think they are only offering like 7 an hour (zero benefits besides glasses and eye exams) when my job involves every aspect of the business from making appointments, to selling glasses and contacts, to pre-screening for the doctors, to doing some basic lab work, and a lot of filing of charts because this place is still entirely on paper.

Does anyone know how a normal office would work? How many employees should a single doctor's practice have? What are the salaries of those employees? I not only want to know if I'm getting shafted, which I think I am based on what all I'm already doing, but I also would like to know what I will need to pay my staff.

Thanks, any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[OPTNOVA]

Follow up questions:
How much does the lab tech make?
Our guy isn't a licensed optician, but says he can legally and physically do everything a regular one could.
How much should a traditional secretary that answers phones and deals with paperwork make?
How much should the person doing the pre-opt exam make?
And how much should the glasses salespeople make? Where I work they apparently get a commission for the glasses they sale.

Thanks

 

[KHE]

Hello I had a few questions about how much an optometrist's assistant and other office help usually make? I just started work at a place and I think they are only offering like 7 an hour (zero benefits besides glasses and eye exams) when my job involves every aspect of the business from making appointments, to selling glasses and contacts, to pre-screening for the doctors, to doing some basic lab work, and a lot of filing of charts because this place is still entirely on paper.

Does anyone know how a normal office would work? How many employees should a single doctor's practice have? What are the salaries of those employees? I not only want to know if I'm getting shafted, which I think I am based on what all I'm already doing, but I also would like to know what I will need to pay my staff.

Thanks, any input would be greatly appreciated.

The answer is "it depends."

Salaries for people in downtown New York City will be more than in rural Wyoming. You also did not mention whether you had any experience or not in the duties you are expected to perform.

You have said that you just started working at a place and you think they are "only offering like 7 an hour." That statement suggests to me that you're not sure what you're going to be paid. Is it $7.00 or is it not $7.00? When they offered it, did you take it? I hope you have not started working without knowing what you're going to get paid.

In our office, we start people out low for the first 90 days. If at the end of that 90 days, they are adequately trained and able to function in most of their duties with minimal supervision and assistance, then we increase their salary fairly substantially. (It's a lot more than $7.00 per hour.)

So it's hard to say if you are getting shafted or not, there are far too many variables.

 

[KHE]

Follow up questions:
How much does the lab tech make?
Our guy isn't a licensed optician, but says he can legally and physically do everything a regular one could.
How much should a traditional secretary that answers phones and deals with paperwork make?
How much should the person doing the pre-opt exam make?
And how much should the glasses salespeople make? Where I work they apparently get a commission for the glasses they sale.

Thanks

The answers to all of your questions are "it depends."

 

[JMU07]

Hello I had a few questions about how much an optometrist's assistant and other office help usually make? I just started work at a place and I think they are only offering like 7 an hour (zero benefits besides glasses and eye exams) when my job involves every aspect of the business from making appointments, to selling glasses and contacts, to pre-screening for the doctors, to doing some basic lab work, and a lot of filing of charts because this place is still entirely on paper.

Does anyone know how a normal office would work? How many employees should a single doctor's practice have? What are the salaries of those employees? I not only want to know if I'm getting shafted, which I think I am based on what all I'm already doing, but I also would like to know what I will need to pay my staff.

Thanks, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like my job. I do pretty much exactly what you do.. we're entirely paper too and it SUCKS. I mean, we book appointments on the computer but that's it. Anyways, when I started last year I was making 7.50 and now I'm at 9.00 an hour. That's basically what all of us make, including the receptionist. Our licensed optician doesn't make that much. (I don't want to say how much, but it's less than 35,000.)

I was wondering the same thing as you, if that's normal. I live in Virginia and feel like people make a lot more than that usually... I have a friend who lives a couple hours away and he makes 10.00 an hour as a receptionist/pre-tester. Guess it depends on what your boss is willing to pay his/her staff?

 

[OPTNOVA]

KHE- Yes I actually started work at a place without knowing how much I will be making! The minimum they can pay me is 6.50 an hour, which they said that they would beat. I have spoken to several of the other employees casually and indirectly about pay and they are making around 7.50, which completely sucks. Now, I am older and I do have a college degree over most of the employees. I was also told that I would be re-evaluated after a 90 day intro period. The reason I have not solidified a number is because the owner has been on vacation. I realize this may seem stupid to you, but I really liked the people I'm working with and I can afford to work at a low rate for a year until I get into optometry school.

JMU07- From what I have found the going rate is 8-12.50 per hour according to this website:
http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/car1bop6.html

And opticians make 20k-40k per year according to a link on the same website.

I am in a medium sized city in Florida with an average cost of living. And I think 9-10 dollars an hour would be more reasonable.



Thank you both.

 

[EyeQ]

Your salary sounds about right. In CA you get pay a little bit more though. I started at $8 then ended at $9. I was there mainly for the experience so I didn't care what the pay was.

 

[KHE]

KHE- Yes I actually started work at a place without knowing how much I will be making! The minimum they can pay me is 6.50 an hour, which they said that they would beat. I have spoken to several of the other employees casually and indirectly about pay and they are making around 7.50, which completely sucks.

I would be very careful about this. In my office, the policy manual specifically states that discussing salaries with other staff members is a fireable offense. The salaries that we pay to our employees are between us and the employee and no one else. A number of variables go into determining what someone is paid and it is not limited to experience, responsibilities, or length of time at the job. If you came to me and said "I want $9.00 because I heard so and so gets that and I feel I'm worth it" I would fire you on the spot. Please don't take offense to that. The last thing I want is disgruntled staff bickering with each other and muttering under their breath about "so and so makes this or that." If you feel you are being underpaid, go to your employer with a list of projects or things you have taken on that make the office more money, and therefore make you more valuable to the office. Simply saying "I do X, Y, and Z" isn't enough.

Now, I am older and I do have a college degree over most of the employees. I was also told that I would be re-evaluated after a 90 day intro period. The reason I have not solidified a number is because the owner has been on vacation. I realize this may seem stupid to you, but I really liked the people I'm working with and I can afford to work at a low rate for a year until I get into optometry school.

For a position like this, having a college degree means little. The fact that the owner is on vacation should have little bearing on whether you have finalized a number or not. I'm surprised that you started a job without knowing what it is you are going to be paid, or the terms and conditions of the job. Personally, I would never do such a thing, no matter how much I "loved the people I was working with."

I am in a medium sized city in Florida with an average cost of living. And I think 9-10 dollars an hour would be more reasonable.

Thank you both.

What makes you think 9-10 would be more reasonable? Why not 7-8? Why not 14-15?

 

[JMU07]

KHE- Yes I actually started work at a place without knowing how much I will be making! The minimum they can pay me is 6.50 an hour, which they said that they would beat. I have spoken to several of the other employees casually and indirectly about pay and they are making around 7.50, which completely sucks. Now, I am older and I do have a college degree over most of the employees. I was also told that I would be re-evaluated after a 90 day intro period. The reason I have not solidified a number is because the owner has been on vacation. I realize this may seem stupid to you, but I really liked the people I'm working with and I can afford to work at a low rate for a year until I get into optometry school.

JMU07- From what I have found the going rate is 8-12.50 per hour according to this website:
http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/car1bop6.html

And opticians make 20k-40k per year according to a link on the same website.

I am in a medium sized city in Florida with an average cost of living. And I think 9-10 dollars an hour would be more reasonable.



Thank you both.

Hmm, that's interesting to me that opticians normally make that much. I figured it would be higher.. I don't know. I don't care about how much I'm making either, I'm there for the experience as well.. I originally contacted them to shadow and volunteer but they ended up giving me a job, so I didn't complain. 🙂

 

[OPTNOVA]

What makes you think 9-10 would be more reasonable? Why not 7-8? Why not 14-15?

I really don't know why your so fired up about this? While I do understand that it is not polite or correct to ask a fellow employee what they are making, I believe in certain circumstances it can be done. Such as asking someone you have befriended what they normally start people at.

As per the link I found the going rate for an optical assistant is anywhere from 8.00-12.50 per hour, which I assume depends on experience and location. So given the fact that I am in a medium sized city in Florida I don't think it would be too much to ask for 9 dollars an hour. The reason I didn't say 7-8 is because location and my abilities. And while a college degree does not matter much in for this job it has given me a level of confidence, emotional maturity, and people skills that others may lack. I certainly would not ask for 14-15 per hour because that is way beyond the going rate.

I feel that your reply while mildly informative was too harsh given the premise of the question and if it happens again I will ask that you be removed as an advisor!

 

[Ben Chudner]

I really don't know why your so fired up about this? While I do understand that it is not polite or correct to ask a fellow employee what they are making, I believe in certain circumstances it can be done. Such as asking someone you have befriended what they normally start people at.

I disagree. There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for employees to discuss pay. You may think it's harmless to ask someone you have befriended what they normally start people at, but what happens if that person thinks it's $9 an hour? Or if they say $6 an hour? In my office, just like the offices of every OD I know, discussing pay is a fireable offense.

 

[Ben Chudner]

I feel that your reply while mildly informative was too harsh given the premise of the question and if it happens again I will ask that you be removed as an advisor!

Another fan Ken? 🙄

 

[KHE]

I really don't know why your so fired up about this? While I do understand that it is not polite or correct to ask a fellow employee what they are making, I believe in certain circumstances it can be done. Such as asking someone you have befriended what they normally start people at.

I'm not fired up at all. I'm trying to point out to you that there are a whole host of factors that go into what someone is paid and they are not limited to location, experience, and duties performed. You yourelf said you were asking because you want to know what you will have to pay your staff in the future. And I also disagree with your statement that it is ok to ask people what they make in certain circumstances because as Dr. Chudner pointed out, how do you know that the person you are asking has the correct information? They could give you an answer that is far too high or far too low. Again....thinking about your future where YOU will be the one paying the staff....do you want your staff members discussing their salaries with each other?

As per the link I found the going rate for an optical assistant is anywhere from 8.00-12.50 per hour, which I assume depends on experience and location. So given the fact that I am in a medium sized city in Florida I don't think it would be too much to ask for 9 dollars an hour. The reason I didn't say 7-8 is because location and my abilities. And while a college degree does not matter much in for this job it has given me a level of confidence, emotional maturity, and people skills that others may lack. I certainly would not ask for 14-15 per hour because that is way beyond the going rate.

Your emotional maturity and people skills have to be proven. Simply by having a college degree does not mean that someone has those skills. This is normally why people are started out a lower salary for a short period of time....so that they can prove that they actually are everything they have said on their resume and in their interview. Your assumption is also wrong. Location and experience are only small parts of what goes into determining what someone will start out, or what they will ultimately end up being paid.

I feel that your reply while mildly informative was too harsh given the premise of the question and if it happens again I will ask that you be removed as an advisor!

Sorry you feel that way, but again...you asked these questions with a nod to your own future as well when you are sitting on the other side of the fence. You said that you are "older." I have no idea how old you are but it really doesn't matter. In my role of advisor on these forums, I'm simply trying to point out the other side of the story and to try to make you think in your specific case how your actions may be perceived by your employer which is a role that you are trying to take on yourself in the future.

Part of being a big boy or a big girl is being able to recognize when people are trying to help you and realizing that not all forms of criticism are an attack on your person or character.

In my role of advisor, I try to point out how things are....not how you or others may wish they were. If you perceive that my tone is "too harsh" then that's too bad. The real worls is sometimes "too harsh." Don't read my posts if you are concerned about the harshness. I do my best to try to not sugar coat things too much. If you want a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, then see Mary Poppins. I believe in just taking the medicine.

 

[KHE]

Another fan Ken? 🙄

One of many, it seems. 🙄

 

[brownyeyed]

i worked as an optometrist's tech for over a year (not anymore) and was paid 7/hr...i was completely fine with that because i had absolutely no experience in this type of field (actually in any health field, except for volunteering in hospitals) i felt very lucky they even gave me the job, but then again, i was there also for just the experience and loved every minute of it...though i did sometimes feel my fellow co-workers were paid more but then again they had experience and were older, i didn't dare discuss it b/c IMO i thought it was unethical.

 

[KHE]

And I also disagree with your statement that it is ok to ask people what they make in certain circumstances because as Dr. Chudner pointed out, how do you know that the person you are asking has the correct information? They could give you an answer that is far too high or far too low. Again....thinking about your future where YOU will be the one paying the staff....do you want your staff members discussing their salaries with each other?

Sorry...I forgot to add the following disclaimer so that we don't have the usual cadre of fools who carry on and on about only physicians are "true doctors" or how only people who hold PhDs are "true doctors:"

***** START DISCLAIMER *****

When I say Dr. Chudner, I mean Dr. Chudner the OPTOMETRIST who did NOT go to medical or osteopathic school and who is NOT IN ANY WAY qualified to run a code, or tube a patient, or deliver a baby, or respond in a crowded theater if someone asks "is there a doctor in the house?"

***** END DISCLAIMER *****

 

[Ben Chudner]

***** START DISCLAIMER *****

When I say Dr. Chudner, I mean Dr. Chudner the OPTOMETRIST who did NOT go to medical or osteopathic school and who is NOT IN ANY WAY qualified to run a code, or tube a patient, or deliver a baby, or respond in a crowded theater if someone asks "is there a doctor in the house?"

***** END DISCLAIMER *****

Ken, you crack me up.

 

[OPTNOVA]

KHE ("doctor" Ken)

1. Don't patronize me "like big boys and girls"

2. No one mentioned the doctor question, so why even bring it up? It makes me think you have a hang up about being an optometrist, you should be proud of yourself. I want you to look in the mirror Ken and say "I don't have to be a medical doctor" over and over again until you believe yourself.

3. Any pay increase can be objectively quantified. You make your pay increases sound like they are subjective. I all future optometrists should look into hiring an office manager if they have a large enough practice. It's simply too hard to keep track of how all of your employees are doing.

4. Paying the minimum wage is unethical if you ask me. FYI the Federal minumum is going to 6.55 July 2008 and to 7.25 in July 2009. I'm not sure I could sleep well at night knowing that my employees were barely getting by while I was making over 100k per year. Now I'm not saying that they all need to make 15 per hour either as KHE suggested I was saying, but I think a decent wage can be found in between.

5. I spoke with the owner today and I start at 8 with a re-evaluation in 90 days.

 

[Ben Chudner]

KHE ("doctor" Ken)4. Paying the minimum wage is unethical if you ask me. FYI the Federal minumum is going to 6.55 July 2008 and to 7.25 in July 2009. I'm not sure I could sleep well at night knowing that my employees were barely getting by while I was making over 100k per year. Now I'm not saying that they all need to make 15 per hour either as KHE suggested I was saying, but I think a decent wage can be found in between.

The government setting a minimum wage is more unethical than an employer paying someone it.

 

[KHE]

KHE ("doctor" Ken)

1. Don't patronize me "like big boys and girls"

I'm not trying to patronize you. I'm trying to point out that if someone offers up constructive criticism, or an alternate way of looking at a particular situation (particularly when you are one day hoping to be on the other side of that situation) then that is not automatically an attack on your person or character.

2. No one mentioned the doctor question, so why even bring it up? It makes me think you have a hang up about being an optometrist, you should be proud of yourself. I want you to look in the mirror Ken and say "I don't have to be a medical doctor" over and over again until you believe yourself.

That was more for the benefit of Dr. Chudner than anyone else. I'm guessing you haven't been on these forums long enough to understand my sense of humor behind that comment.

3. Any pay increase can be objectively quantified. You make your pay increases sound like they are subjective. I all future optometrists should look into hiring an office manager if they have a large enough practice. It's simply too hard to keep track of how all of your employees are doing.

Most pay increases are not objectively quantified, and in fact I would say very few are. Have you ever had the opportunity to manage a business of any kind where you were responsible for hiring or determing salaries? Office managers serve important functions but at the end of the day, it's not them who sign the paychecks.

4. Paying the minimum wage is unethical if you ask me. FYI the Federal minumum is going to 6.55 July 2008 and to 7.25 in July 2009. I'm not sure I could sleep well at night knowing that my employees were barely getting by while I was making over 100k per year. Now I'm not saying that they all need to make 15 per hour either as KHE suggested I was saying, but I think a decent wage can be found in between.

For the record, my staff all start out at much higher than the federal minimum wage and go up even further after 90 days. However, future raises beyone that are determined by much much more than location, experience, or duties performed.

5. I spoke with the owner today and I start at 8 with a re-evaluation in 90 days.

Hope you don't feel like you are being ripped off anymore.

 

[itek2OD]

Sorry...I forgot to add the following disclaimer so that we don't have the usual cadre of fools who carry on and on about only physicians are "true doctors" or how only people who hold PhDs are "true doctors:"

***** START DISCLAIMER *****

When I say Dr. Chudner, I mean Dr. Chudner the OPTOMETRIST who did NOT go to medical or osteopathic school and who is NOT IN ANY WAY qualified to run a code, or tube a patient, or deliver a baby, or respond in a crowded theater if someone asks "is there a doctor in the house?"

***** END DISCLAIMER *****

OPTNOVA: re: #2
this KHE post is a suggestion/inside joke to check out some of the other threads here.... by no means is his tone harsh compared to what's out there.


for #3-5: here's an ad that looks like the job you're describing:http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=61102111.
one quick way to increase pay is to get certified, provided the optom accepts it ie. http://www.aoa.org/x4941.xml
but no certification AFAIK for optical assistants. good luck

 

[student2008]

OPTNOVA, to be honest, I think $7/hour is not unreasonable to ask of someone who has little experience as a receptionist. You have to realize that kind of job does not really need a college degree, so I don't know if having a college degree actually helps you. A receptionist is a very replaceable job since anyone with a good personality would be able answer phone calls, check insurances and help with frame selection.

I think you should be happy with getting paid since I'm sure there are a lot of us out there who are just volunteering and doing exactly the same thing as you are.

And I have to agree with KHE, you should not discuss your salary with your coworkers. I think on most employment contracts, it should state that you are not allowed to discuss your salary information with other employees of the firm. You can research about how much you should get paid in your area on the internet or before the start of your employment and get an idea so you can ask for a reasonable pay when you negotiate your salary.

 

[Habitual Rx]

OPTINOVA,

I have been working for $9 CAD for the last 10 months.

Are you simply a Pre-Optometry student? Do you pay rent/bills? Do you have to provide for anyone?

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Sorry...I forgot to add the following disclaimer so that we don't have the usual cadre of fools who carry on and on about only physicians are "true doctors" or how only people who hold PhDs are "true doctors:"

***** START DISCLAIMER *****

When I say Dr. Chudner, I mean Dr. Chudner the OPTOMETRIST who did NOT go to medical or osteopathic school and who is NOT IN ANY WAY qualified to run a code, or tube a patient, or deliver a baby, or respond in a crowded theater if someone asks "is there a doctor in the house?"

***** END DISCLAIMER *****

😆😆😆

For those who didn't get the joke...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=433627.

 

[OPTNOVA]

Student2008: Maybe you missed my description of my tasks. If I were simply a mindless receptionist who did nothing but answer phones and put people on hold that would be a different story.

habitual rx: I have graduated from college and am now supporting myself.

Prettygreeneyes: Thanks for bringing me up to speed.😀

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Prettygreeneyes: Thanks for bringing me up to speed.😀

No problem. It can take awhile to catch up on SDN history. 🙂

 

[KHE]

Student2008: Maybe you missed my description of my tasks. If I were simply a mindless receptionist who did nothing but answer phones and put people on hold that would be a different story.

habitual rx: I have graduated from college and am now supporting myself.

Prettygreeneyes: Thanks for bringing me up to speed.😀

In most medical and optometry offices, the "receptionist" is the low man on the totem pole and is usually one of the poorest paid. However, astute practices and practitioners understand that this person can be a make or break person for your practice. They are the person prospective patients first encounter when they phone your office and they are the almost always the first AND last person the patient deals with when they visit the office.

As such, this person needs to be a shining star. In my office, the receptionists are amongst the HIGHEST paid staff members because they don't just "mindlessly answer phones and put people on hold." They are key components of internal practice marketing. If you view and use your receptionists in way that they just "mindlessly answer phones", don't be surprised if you have a struggling office filled with disgruntled patients.

Being a medical receptionist is an incredibly difficult job because they take a LOT of abuse. Part of being a good receptionist is knowing how to take that abuse and still coming off like Mr. Rogers. As such, if you pay someone $7.50 per hour, don't be surprised if you "get what you pay for."

 

[Habitual Rx]

I have graduated from college and am now supporting myself.

Well now I can see why you are so concerned.

 

[OPTNOVA]

Would you all pay more to a single mother than to a college graduate trying to support himself if that were the only factor that was different?

 

[OPTNOVA]

No I'm not suggesting that question has a correct answer.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Would you all pay more to a single mother than to a college graduate trying to support himself if that were the only factor that was different?

I would pay based on the job being performed, not who is performing it. (Assuming all other factors such as experience are the same) If the pay rate isn't sufficient, the individual is certainly welcome to look for a better paying position.

 

[KHE]

Would you all pay more to a single mother than to a college graduate trying to support himself if that were the only factor that was different?

For me, someone's personal circumstances has no bearing on what they are paid in salary. However, that's not to say that if a current employee runs into financial hardship that we won't give them an advance on their salary or work with them in some other way.