I Am A Male, Should I Become A Part-Time Optometry Assistant?

[Strutter]

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There is a job opening to be an optometry assistant.

I do need a job to pay for school. And I feel that this would be good optometry experience, as I am torn between medicine and optometry. I can get some shadowing in. However, I am a male, and am not sure how this would look for me, as most assistants are female. (I would be working for a male too) The job includes tasks like forwarding/receiving calls, basic bookkeeping, etc.

Should I apply for the job? What are your guys' experience with being a male optometry assistant? Or opinions on this?

 

[Jonbrout]

Lol, if this isn't a troll post IDK what is. So, are you saying it's odd that we have male nurses when it has always been primarily a woman's role in the past?

I think this is a great opportunity to get some insight into the career.... but then again, I'm not sure I would want to work with someone with your personal ideology.

 

[Strutter]

Lol, if this isn't a troll post IDK what is. So, are you saying it's odd that we have male nurses when it has always been primarily a woman's role in the past?

I think this is a great opportunity to get some insight into the career.... but then again, I'm not sure I would want to work with someone with your personal ideology.

This is not a troll post. I just had a psychology professor recently lecture about culture and norms and how they relate to career. He said that he wouldn't like it if his son if he became a nurse, or if his daughter became a construction worker... This turned into a very controversial debate during the class. It got me thinking about this. Before the lecture, I had no problem with being a male assistant.

Somehow, I think I am thinking about this and what people think about me too much. But some reassurance would make me feel better. 🙂

 

[MidnightOil]

Not sure where Jon has been...

but this is a relevant post. Guys in the past typically aren't seen in secretary-like jobs. However, there has been a recent trend back towards a non-sexist work style environment.

I'm a male and I'm in the same boat as you. Most people do not look down on it anymore and it provides valuable insight into the profession. Take it 👍!! However if the sexism bothers you don't become an optometrist as it's gradually becoming a female dominated profession.

 

[Flagellum]

From a woman's perspective, I would love for more males to apply for positions as optometric assistants and dispensers. I would expect the male energy to be welcomed in the office.

 

[itek2OD]

Bottom line: you need experience dealing with both sexes as either an optometrist or MD. Several situations will arise with you as a trainee/student/resident dealing with either sex as coworkers/fellow student/fellow resident. If you're going to feel uncomfortable, better feel it now than plenty of thousands of dollars later, and the time invested to boot.

I'd thank the prof for bringing that up, and ask him if he REALLY feels that way - sounds like a good way to get everyone riled up in class.😀

But back to the point, what if you were working for a female doc? It shouldn't matter - just worry about about the product of your actions and shadowing. go for the job, or work as an asst for an eyeMD.

 

[Shnurek]

But back to the point, what if you were working for a female doc? It shouldn't matter - just worry about about the product of your actions and shadowing. go for the job, or work as an asst for an eyeMD.

I worked as a technician for a female ophthalmologist and she was great in terms of allowing me awesome hours, good pay and she let a lot of stuff slide. The only complaint I'd have is that she would spend around 30 minutes per patient in total which included talking about random stuff not related to their condition which really backed things up. Then she would complain about not making enough money esp with the most recent cuts.

Ironically, I have encountered sexism against females from a female office manager whose prestigious company I was leaving before I went to my most recent ophthalmologist. She stated, "Female ophthalmologists are not really as good as male ophthalmologists." I was a little taken back but I think she either really wanted to keep me in her office or she really was sexist herself. And I am not making this up.

 

[itek2OD]

I worked as a technician for a female ophthalmologist and she was great in terms of allowing me awesome hours, good pay and she let a lot of stuff slide. The only complaint I'd have is that she would spend around 30 minutes per patient in total which included talking about random stuff not related to their condition which really backed things up. Then she would complain about not making enough money esp with the most recent cuts.

Ironically, I have encountered sexism against females from a female office manager whose prestigious company I was leaving before I went to my most recent ophthalmologist. She stated, "Female ophthalmologists are not really as good as male ophthalmologists." I was a little taken back but I think she either really wanted to keep me in her office or she really was sexist herself. And I am not making this up.

I'd like to see what would happen if you posted this in the young OMD forum. . don't think I'd have time to read all about it, though.

 

[Shnurek]

Lol they already blow up when I comment on something technical and I clarify that I'm only an ignorant student.

 

[Odie2011]

Even though I find your post to be offending (answering phones is a skill exclusive to the female of the species), I will give you a little bit of reassurance. I am an optometrist, and I actually have more male assistants in my office than female assistants. They do a good job, and none of the patients treat them as though they are "doing a woman's job." Even in the rural farming community where I practice. Also, I went to optometry school with MANY men (although the majority of my class was.... FEMALE!) who worked as assistants in optometry offices (and I even worked with some of them when I, myself, was an optometric assistant). This job will help you to understand the innerworkings of an optometric office, which will be infinitely helpful when you begin to practice. Don't let some archaic sexist view of what is "woman's work" cause you to miss out on a great opportunity to further your knowledge. Man up.

 

[eyeballistic]

Lol. Are you also a redditor? 😛