I've been practicing at an OD for 3 years at an private ophalmology practice, since I graduated. I was excited to find this opportunity because of the experience in eye disease. It's a small practice, with my boss the OMD, two techs, and two staff members. When I first came here, I was very eager to learn and help out because they were short staffed, and I got along with everyone. I would help tech, VF's, answer the phone if it got busy, etc. They hired an extra tech becuase I was complaining that those duties aren't my job. But its been 3 years and it still goes on!! I've said no to certain things and they even give me some "adminstrative duties" to do when there's down time. They even ask me to pick them up lunch when I go on my break! I feel like I'm treated as an extra assistant/doctor, but not as a doctor! Is it time to leave?? Go commercial? But the grass is always greener right?
need advice from OD's at OMD practices
- Thread starter eyedoc06
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i like the actual optometry work and the patient's are great. but i feel that the staff doesn't respect/treat me as a doctor. yes, respect is something you earn, and i have tried my best, but it started out on a bad precedent when I was first new. just don't know if this kind of stuff is typical at other offices?
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It's common. If you are a recent graduate, then there is a good chance that you're young and likely younger than many of the people you work with. That is going to go against you.
No matter what happens, you will never be "a doctor" in that type of environment. If you're thinking of going commercial, select your location veeeery carefully because in many commercial locations it's actually WORSE than what you're experiencing.
I guess it all comes down to that same old choice we are called upon to make time and time and time again.....take it or leave it.
Yes, you're right. I am much younger than everyone I work with, and most of the staff has been here for 10-15 years. And, I'm not the one who writes their paycheck.
Thanks for the advice. If I do go commercial, I will choose carefully. But hopefully, the staff at those places will do all the BS work and at least see me as the doctor.
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Many times the staff know the difference between the "owner" and the "associate". This happens in all fields, ODs and MDs alike. Just part of typical office politics.
MDs are infamous for trying to make the associate the "glorified tech." Its one thing to help out, especially since you described it as a small practice. If it doesn't bother you then stay. But since it has been 3 years, I would sit the MD down and start speaking about the furture and possible partnership, buy-in, etc. If you have a good relationship with the MD then I would seriously pursue that avenue.
Commercial has its pros & cons as with other modes of practice. Less "prestigious" sounding etc. But, from experience, they typically have a technician & optician so doing the technical work is hardly ever an issue.
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Depending on your situation now, you may also find you're not as crazy about the work schedule in commercial. Generally speaking, OMD offices tend to have more of a normal M-F, 8-5 kind of set-up. Commercial, unless you get very lucky, you'll be working at least 1 evening a week, probably 2, and at least half Saturdays. Just wanted to throw out some more pros/cons to consider. Not that you haven't been thinking about a lot of this stuff already.
Yeah, no kidding. I've been thinking about this all the time for the past year. You're right, if my hours weren't so great now, it would be a much, much easier decision.
In reference to the previous post as commercial not being as "prestigous"...I believed that also when first took this job. But unfortunately, getting my bosses lunch isn't so prestigous either.
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It would be much cheaper for him to force you to quit and hire his tech to replace you.
Is he asking you to get his lunch more than usual? 😉
He actually is asking more often, the days that he's here...only two and a half days a week.
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As an OD, you must be very expensive.
I'd figure, if he wanted to get rid of you, he would. He wouldn't waste his time/money making things less "desirable" over a period of weeks/months just to have you decide to leave on your own.
I'd figure, if he wanted to get rid of you, he would. He wouldn't waste his time/money making things less "desirable" over a period of weeks/months just to have you decide to leave on your own.
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two and a half days a week... any chance he wants to sell the practice?
No, i highly doubt he wants to sell his practice. He wants to still run the show but never have to be there. So one would think the he and the staff would treat me with more respect since I am the one there every day trying to fill his shoes, keeping the business afloat.
And if he did sell his practice, I highly doubt it would be to an OD. Maybe to an OMD to keep the surgery aspect going.
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Well, as with virtually every situation like this you likely have two choices:
1) Take it
2) Leave it
Take your pick.
Where are you located?
Optometry jobs are so slim now. You might want to keep it. Also since this is a small office, what about talking about having some stake in the business such as profit sharing. How important are you as an employee of the company? What are your duties? Refractions only? or pre post op management? Are you treating the eye diseases?
Instead of complaining about the way you feel that you are being treated on some online message forum, I think it's time to have a sit down with your boss. Afterall, you have been working with him for 3 years. Hopefully that's long enough for you to feel comfortable enough to express your feelings. Also, since you have been there for 3 years, your boss will want to keep you. It's a lot easier keeping a current employee that knows the flow of the office and gets along with the staff, versus going on search for a new applicant.
You are a doctor, not an assistant. And definitely not a delivery guy. Keep us posted and good luck!
ps I work with an Opthalmologist and he treats me like a colleague. We manage eye diseases separately, I see his pre and post op surgical cases (cornea, cataract, and eye adnexa), I do all of the contact lens fits, and we split up the refractions. There is definitely respect between us. And this is the way it should be.
Optometry jobs are so slim now. You might want to keep it. Also since this is a small office, what about talking about having some stake in the business such as profit sharing. How important are you as an employee of the company? What are your duties? Refractions only? or pre post op management? Are you treating the eye diseases?
Instead of complaining about the way you feel that you are being treated on some online message forum, I think it's time to have a sit down with your boss. Afterall, you have been working with him for 3 years. Hopefully that's long enough for you to feel comfortable enough to express your feelings. Also, since you have been there for 3 years, your boss will want to keep you. It's a lot easier keeping a current employee that knows the flow of the office and gets along with the staff, versus going on search for a new applicant.
You are a doctor, not an assistant. And definitely not a delivery guy. Keep us posted and good luck!
ps I work with an Opthalmologist and he treats me like a colleague. We manage eye diseases separately, I see his pre and post op surgical cases (cornea, cataract, and eye adnexa), I do all of the contact lens fits, and we split up the refractions. There is definitely respect between us. And this is the way it should be.
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