Job Question: Salary vs Potential for Experience

[mac_kin]

Would you take a job that pays a fraction of what your colleagues are making and gives NO benefits, if the potential for experience at that job was great?

Now, I obviously know the salary and realize that it is very very poor. However, I THINK there may be great potential to learn and make good contacts at the clinic. However, this is only a hypothesis based on:

- caliber of doctors who refer patients to the clinic
- affiliation with local community and local college
- new facility: large space/lots of new equipment
- very busy flow of patients

From my interview, it is clear that extra help is wanted (i.e. they want to rip off a new grad). During the interview, noone said "We pride ourselves in developing a great physiotherapist" or "We really want to help you learn as much as possible".

I realize that my potential to grow is solely based on the QUALITY of the physical therapists who work there and their willingness to teach. However, it is a great facility...and I guess I'll only learn as much as I'm willing to put in right.


I need help with this.

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[Cronos]

That is exactly the type of job I would be looking for as a new grad, especially if the place has a good reputation that I would be able to add to my resume. A fraction of the pay is one thing, but I would need benefits such as medical, dental, ect. Cut the luxery type benefits, I'd be fine with that.

First year out I want mentors, to be able to save a little, to be able to pay my basic necessities, and to pay off some debt.

 

[mac_kin]

Hmm. I see what you're saying. I am given no benefits though.

What I get:
- Under $30/hour
- interesting experience
- cool, new facility
- NO benefits, NO vacation, NO money for extra development courses

My only fear is that they are looking to rip off a new grad. Like I said, it hit me right away during the interview that it was a "sales-pitch", the salary was quickly glossed over and when I wanted to discuss it further, I was quickly met with "but you know this is a neat opportunity", and "maybe we can look at more hours later".

I didn't hear anything along the lines of "we want to help you become a good therapist". It wasn't about the profession and me learning and growing and contributing in that sense. It was more about "we need someone to help with this".

I dunno. I got a weird vibe but I'm only hesitating because the clinic itself (structurally) is very very nice and has lots of patients.

 

[Cronos]

Oh I see what you're saying. That is a tough call. They only want you for part timeish hours?

No medical + poor pay, I don't know. It seems as though you aren't even breaking average pay with benefits for most areas. Whether it is a neat experience or not, that seems extremely subpar. From what you are telling me I would have to pass. But I'm not even in PT school yet, so definitely hear from someone more experienced.

 

[Cyres]

Excellent physicians. -- They won't be mentoring you.

Affiliation with universities. -- If you're interesting in sports rehabilitation and the universities do not have a sports medicine/athletic training program, there could be a reason to consider the position.

New facility: large space/lots of new equipment. -- Nice surroundings are always nice. But they have little bearing on the quality of care rendered at a clinic, and looks do not put money in your pocket/food on your table.

Very busy flow of patients. -- A double edge sword. Pros: experience and hours. Cons: being over-utilized and delivering substandard care.

Under $30/hour. -- Awful.

NO benefits, NO vacation, NO money for CEUs. -- Worse than awful.


Your first impression is usually correct. Based on the information you provided there is no doubt that they are trying to rip you off. Do not take this position. I think the only experience you're in for here is burn out.

 

[ksiem]

Hey man try the old "negotiaton." Let's look at the facts: PTs are not easy finds (depending on your area), they might be trying to take advantage of you. I mean, they are a new facility, they are probably in a lot of debt, scared if they will make a return on their investment, etc.. etc.. Just tell them what you want and if they reject it then cya.. go find another job.

 

[vinganca]

Hmm. I see what you're saying. I am given no benefits though.

What I get:
- Under $30/hour
- interesting experience
- cool, new facility
- NO benefits, NO vacation, NO money for extra development courses

Maybe it's just a culture-shock thing, being from the UK and all...but it boggles my mind that a job is even allowed to offer you NO vacation or benefits. None, whatsoever? How is that legal? 😕

Also, I realise you're a new grad and that salaries vary from one area to another, but unless you're in an area with a very low cost of living, under $30/hour does not seem right. What is the average salary range for a newly qualified PT in your area?

 

[mac_kin]

Maybe it's just a culture-shock thing, being from the UK and all...but it boggles my mind that a job is even allowed to offer you NO vacation or benefits. None, whatsoever? How is that legal? 😕

Also, I realise you're a new grad and that salaries vary from one area to another, but unless you're in an area with a very low cost of living, under $30/hour does not seem right. What is the average salary range for a newly qualified PT in your area?

Well I don't want to give specifics because I don't know who looks at these forums. But basically it's part time hours. That however doesn't matter because I still think it should be at least over $30 per hour. After all I will be seeing patients who pay in the upwards of $80 for an hour assessment.

In canada, hospitals usually start at 32-35 per hour (it depends on the hospital). Private practice lets you earn more because it's what we call fee-for service. I'm under contract work however.

 

[PT Dad]

$30 may look good after Obamacare becomes law.

 

[pwrtrainer]

...

 

[jesspt]

I agree with Cyres. The job doesn't look great. It doens't sound like they discussed anything of value that they'll be bringing to the table other than shiny, new clinical space. Will you be working with quality clinicians, and by that I mean other PTs? If not, you'll be getting uderpaid, potentially overworked, and not mentored.

 

[truthseeker]

I agree with Cyres. The job doesn't look great. It doens't sound like they discussed anything of value that they'll be bringing to the table other than shiny, new clinical space. Will you be working with quality clinicians, and by that I mean other PTs? If not, you'll be getting uderpaid, potentially overworked, and not mentored.

I worked that same job for much less (15 years ago) but with benefits. I was a transformational time in my professional life and basically set the stage for the PT I am today. (I think a very good one.) Money is important but professional experience is more important early on. See if you can negotiate with them. hours enough to get benefits and vacation and CEU support. Maybe what they are doing is hiring you part time for a "prolonged interview" to see if you fit their practice model and if they feel you can grow professionally from newbie to master clinician. If they are busy they are good, just like a Chinese restaraunt, don't eat at a buffet with an empty parking lot.

I say look very very closely at this position. don't let the money turn you off. The best jobs don't have to pay as much because everybody wants them. Its the crappy jobs that have to pay an arm and a leg to get and retain staff.

 

[mac_kin]

I worked that same job for much less (15 years ago) but with benefits. I was a transformational time in my professional life and basically set the stage for the PT I am today. (I think a very good one.) Money is important but professional experience is more important early on. See if you can negotiate with them. hours enough to get benefits and vacation and CEU support. Maybe what they are doing is hiring you part time for a "prolonged interview" to see if you fit their practice model and if they feel you can grow professionally from newbie to master clinician. If they are busy they are good, just like a Chinese restaraunt, don't eat at a buffet with an empty parking lot.

I say look very very closely at this position. don't let the money turn you off. The best jobs don't have to pay as much because everybody wants them. Its the crappy jobs that have to pay an arm and a leg to get and retain staff.

Thanks. I'm still considering it.

The position is on a contract. They like to do that here. Give you a nice long contract to read and sign. Contract work never has benefits associated with it, it is the cheapest and easiest labour for a hospital/business. Basically, they don't have to offer or provide anything not listed in the contract and they always find loopholes to get out of covering something later. I mean people do work like this and survive. It's just a nice way for places to get out of giving you anything besides 'minimum' wage for your work.

I don't care anymore. I'm sick of negotiating and pulling hair. I'll read their offer and if they made it 'final', I'm gone.

 

[truthseeker]

usually with contract work the hourly wage is way high. I know that we have offered new grads (rural minnesota) $30 per hour with really very good benefits and are told that our offer is excellent by candidates that we interview. I think the value of our benefit package worth 40% of the wage so it is more like $42 per hour if you consider retirement, flex plan, life insurance, health and dental, CEU allowance etc . . .

If you are interested in Western MN pm me and we can talk!!

 

[vinganca]

To the British person. America is like that sometimes. I have worked many jobs that gave no benefits, vacation, or incentives. Even one where the only days off were Christmas and new years. Thanksgiving is an odd holiday in a gym.

Well to be fair, I'm also astonished by how much PT's get paid in the US! Not that they don't deserve it; of course they do. 🙂 But for reference, starting pay for a newly qualified PT in the NHS is somewhere around 20k/year (~$32k in USD). Perhaps it evens out a bit cos the NHS also funds PT school, so there isn't a staggering amount of loan debt when you get out.

But still, I couldn't believe it when I started doing research into the US PT field and saw that a newly qualified PT in my city generally starts at or slightly above $70k! 😱

 

[vinganca]

If you are interested in Western MN pm me and we can talk!!

I think the OP is Canadian.

 

[mac_kin]

I think the OP is Canadian.

Yes I am.

I am working towards my US credentials though.