New Grad Dilema

[browneyebeauty]

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Hello All,

Here is my situation I am a recent graduate who has the opportunity to become an associate OD of a doctor that subleases a practice next to Lenscrafters. My preferred mode of practice is private but since Ive been job hunting all that seems to be available are positions with subleasing doctors of commercial optical stores. I know that alot of you on here are extremely anti-corporate but what do you expect one to do when all there is available in this marshmallow economy is commercial opportunities? I know some PP docs from some of my rotations who arent looking to expand because with the economy they cant afford to so basically new grads only have the option of commercial availability. From reading these anti-commercial posts I feel unsure about this position but I cant keep waiting for the private practice position to become avail when I have to pay back school loans and have other expenses.

I know that each commercial setting is different but can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please. Luxottica says that when you sublease space you can run your practice like a private practice and focus on what you want. Is this true or is it similar to how docs are treated at places like America's Best and VisionWorks? Other ODs from other commercial practices can chime in as well.

 

[KHE]

Hello All,

Here is my situation I am a recent graduate who has the opportunity to become an associate OD of a doctor that subleases a practice next to Lenscrafters. My preferred mode of practice is private but since Ive been job hunting all that seems to be available are positions with subleasing doctors of commercial optical stores. I know that alot of you on here are extremely anti-corporate but what do you expect one to do when all there is available in this marshmallow economy is commercial opportunities? I know some PP docs from some of my rotations who arent looking to expand because with the economy they cant afford to so basically new grads only have the option of commercial availability. From reading these anti-commercial posts I feel unsure about this position but I cant keep waiting for the private practice position to become avail when I have to pay back school loans and have other expenses.

I know that each commercial setting is different but can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please. Luxottica says that when you sublease space you can run your practice like a private practice and focus on what you want. Is this true or is it similar to how docs are treated at places like America's Best and VisionWorks? Other ODs from other commercial practices can chime in as well.

Where are you located?

How have you searched for private practice opportunities?

If I was going to hire you to work in my private practice, what do you bring to the table besides your OD degree?

 

[browneyebeauty]

Where are you located?

How have you searched for private practice opportunities?

If I was going to hire you to work in my private practice, what do you bring to the table besides your OD degree?

I am in northen VA. I have searched for opportunities through AOA Optometry Career Center, VA Optometric Association as well as posting my reume to these sites. There have been private practice listings but they are looking for a doctor for only one day of the week or p/t. Im interested in having a f/t position. Is this not the correct way to search? Are there other avenues I should be exploring?

 

[KHE]

I am in northen VA. I have searched for opportunities through AOA Optometry Career Center, VA Optometric Association as well as posting my reume to these sites. Is this not the correct way?

That's fine but if you're goal is private practice your best bet is probably cold calling people. Phone up some private practice docs in the area you are interested in and mention you're a new graduate looking to be in private practice and are they looking? Most of them will probably say no but then the next question is "wow! that's ok! Do you know of anyone who IS?"

That will get you a lot more potential leads than want ads. You may also want to contact some of the large frame companies and find out their rep for your area. Getting in touch with them will probably also get you some leads.

Regarding full vs part time, you'll probably find that most private practices are not in need of a second or third doctor to come in on a full time basis to do more of the same thing the practice is already doing.

What you'll need to do is start part time and grow another aspect of the practice, or start part time and do commercial part time and try to build up the private practice end of your career over a few years.

 

[JMU07]

NETWORKING. I go to the VOA conferences every year and it's the absolute best way to find jobs in my opinion. I sent you a PM.

 

[blazenmadison]

Hello All,

Here is my situation I am a recent graduate who has the opportunity to become an associate OD of a doctor that subleases a practice next to Lenscrafters. My preferred mode of practice is private but since Ive been job hunting all that seems to be available are positions with subleasing doctors of commercial optical stores. I know that alot of you on here are extremely anti-corporate but what do you expect one to do when all there is available in this marshmallow economy is commercial opportunities? I know some PP docs from some of my rotations who arent looking to expand because with the economy they cant afford to so basically new grads only have the option of commercial availability. From reading these anti-commercial posts I feel unsure about this position but I cant keep waiting for the private practice position to become avail when I have to pay back school loans and have other expenses.

I know that each commercial setting is different but can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please. Luxottica says that when you sublease space you can run your practice like a private practice and focus on what you want. Is this true or is it similar to how docs are treated at places like America's Best and VisionWorks? Other ODs from other commercial practices can chime in as well.

JMU07 is right. Networking is key.

I am a recent grad myself. I graduated in May and have been working since June. Loan payments are due next month! What have you been doing since graduation? Why northern virginia? Virginia's licensing is very easy...you can apply tomorrow and get a license next week.

 

[eyestrain]

JMU07 is right. Networking is key.

I am a recent grad myself. I graduated in May and have been working since June. Loan payments are due next month! What have you been doing since graduation? Why northern virginia? Virginia's licensing is very easy...you can apply tomorrow and get a license next week.

Have fun with that.

 

[optsuker]

Hello All,

Here is my situation I am a recent graduate who has the opportunity to become an associate OD of a doctor that subleases a practice next to Lenscrafters. My preferred mode of practice is private but since Ive been job hunting all that seems to be available are positions with subleasing doctors of commercial optical stores. I know that alot of you on here are extremely anti-corporate but what do you expect one to do when all there is available in this marshmallow economy is commercial opportunities? I know some PP docs from some of my rotations who arent looking to expand because with the economy they cant afford to so basically new grads only have the option of commercial availability. From reading these anti-commercial posts I feel unsure about this position but I cant keep waiting for the private practice position to become avail when I have to pay back school loans and have other expenses.

I know that each commercial setting is different but can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please. Luxottica says that when you sublease space you can run your practice like a private practice and focus on what you want. Is this true or is it similar to how docs are treated at places like America's Best and VisionWorks? Other ODs from other commercial practices can chime in as well.

You have to eat (and pay loans).

If the the only gig you can find is a commercial spot, take it, but have any easy escape clause and keep looking for your ideal situation.

That being said, there's no better time to take a risk if the long-term upside there than now. You're used to living cheaply like a student. It gets harder to do that once you start getting a good income.

 

[JAZZEYE]

I feel ya...
Check this out,
take note of education cost being liken to the housing bubble.
What are we ? "Generation Bubble"
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39872376

 

[KHE]

I think it's still important to discuss this topic....

If I as a private practitioner am on the fence about hiring a new graduate, what are you as that new graduate going to bring to the practice beyond your OD degree? In other words, convince me that I need another doctor and convince me that I need YOU.

Thoughts?

 

[thecgrblue]

What are you ("you" is impersonal) looking for in a new grad hire? I'm starting next year and want to know what I can be looking to do in addition to just earning an OD.

 

[KHE]

What are you ("you" is impersonal) looking for in a new grad hire? I'm starting next year and want to know what I can be looking to do in addition to just earning an OD.

I'm looking for someone who can make money for my office. Think you can do that? If so, how?

 

[Oogilily]

This seems to be an office by office case. There are many kinds of practices, and they may all need something different. I guess the confusing part is what can you do differently to make money for the office? I've asked myself this question many times when trying to figure out what I can offer that my classmates can't. It's hard to come up with something unique as we pretty much all receive the same training.

 

[thecgrblue]

Yep. I don't mean to have the "Ophelia Syndrome", but having near zero functional knowledge of the profession I need to be told what is bueno or no bueno.

What can set you apart? A pleasant disposition and being multi-lingual? Having a Masters and/or Ph.D. and a residency under your belt? Being really really really good looking?

 

[physicslover]

I would guess the multi-lingual part could be a great asset depending on the area you are in as you could develop a greater rapport with patients. I don't think masters or phd will really help you in the clinical aspect of it. A residency would help in term of the specialization you offer.


The only thing I can think of other than the great clinical service- which all optometrist will have hopefully, is the ability to form connections to the patients in a way that will keep them coming back and recommending your clinic to others.
Also having a creative attitude in which to come up with unique ideas for marketing/advancing the clinic. I can't think of anything else that would make someone more unique than another graduate?! How do new grads distinguish themselves?

 

[Ediddy]

The only thing I can think of other than the great clinical service- which all optometrist will have hopefully, is the ability to form connections to the patients in a way that will keep them coming back and recommending your clinic to others.
Also having a creative attitude in which to come up with unique ideas for marketing/advancing the clinic. I can't think of anything else that would make someone more unique than another graduate?!

I agree with you completely Physics, but there are over 1,500 new grads each year and of those, I'm sure 1,500 will say they provide great clinical service and are good with people...

Opt school's objective isn't to somehow make us unique to our peers or even to make us specialized within the field of optometry (unless maybe if a residency is done). It give us enough of a knowledge base to practice optometry, and really all 1500+ grads each year come out with (arguably) the same education.

I think that is where the dilemma is; retail optometry says 'great, that education is good enough, when can you start' but the private practice OD says 'What can you do that I can't? How are you going to reach a demographic that I'm currently not serving?' A new grad doesn't yet have the experience, the practice management skills, or the specialization necessary to meet that private ODs expectations, making it difficult to find a good job in private practice.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

I know that each commercial setting is different but can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please. Luxottica says that when you sublease space you can run your practice like a private practice and focus on what you want. Is this true or is it similar to how docs are treated at places like America's Best and VisionWorks? Other ODs from other commercial practices can chime in as well.

America's Worst is hiring in that N. VA area, probably a little over $100K starting with full benefits and vacation time....depends how much debt you're in etc.

I have never sub-leased but I would have to say sub-lease is much more closer to a private practice scene than commercial is.

Good luck either way...welcome to the Real World...

 

[Bright Eyes]

I think what KHE is getting at is this...there are a number of docs near my hometown that don't particularly have an interest in young kids and/or VT. Now, when I come out of optometry school May 2012 and I do have that interest I would market myself that way. That would bring in a whole new clientele to the office (along with their families). Also, if I had an interest in working with low vision patients a couple days each week I could also bring in another subset of patients to the office. [in my home area folks needed these services have to travel at least 2 hrs away to get them]

 

[KHE]

I think what KHE is getting at is this...there are a number of docs near my hometown that don't particularly have an interest in young kids and/or VT. Now, when I come out of optometry school May 2012 and I do have that interest I would market myself that way. That would bring in a whole new clientele to the office (along with their families). Also, if I had an interest in working with low vision patients a couple days each week I could also bring in another subset of patients to the office. [in my home area folks needed these services have to travel at least 2 hrs away to get them]

Ok...that's fine. But how do you plan on marketing yourself to get these patients? Who are you going to market to? The docs who don't have an interest?

 

[rodomon]

I'm looking for someone who can make money for my office. Think you can do that? If so, how?

I'd assume that you'd know your own office better than any of us. So what could a newly-hired OD bring that you think would make your office more money?

]can anyone that subleases or is an associate of a subleasing doctor at a Lenscrafters provide their working experiences please

Seems like this thread got derailed pretty much instantly from the original question to how to get private practice docs to hire you, but since the OP mentioned preferring PP, I'll continue the derail. What I've heard are:

1) Specialize. Pediatrics, low vision, and specialty contact lens fits are the obvious ones, but there are plenty more. Although I know people who wanted to specialize and got turned down repeatedly by ODs who didn't want anything like that in their offices, so you might have to look around a lot.

2) Billing and coding. If they only bill vision insurance, you can bring knowing how to bill medical. Or other ways to bill vision or medical insurance that they're currently not utilizing. Although (A) if they're not already on medical plans, it could be hard to get on them, and (B) you'd have to know how they're currently billing, which I'm not sure how open most docs would be with even before the interview process.

3) Bringing new patients. Maybe the owner is older, has older patients that have aged with the practice, and you could bring in younger ones. Or go out and bring in patients through various means: church and social organizations are popularly mentioned, carry business cards and give them to everyone you meet, provide screenings to local schools (to get the teachers and parents of the kids), etc.

4) Look for older ODs who might be interested in slowing down. You can give them more free time to pursue other activities in life. Maybe consider looking for someone who's close to retirement and who might be willing to be bought out over a few years, although I've heard mostly bad things about that due to owners tending to extremely over-valuing their practices.

 

[jc812]

I'm looking for someone who can make money for my office. Think you can do that? If so, how?

Would some sort of residency make new grads more appealing? We have some more experience under our coat AND specialized at that. Residency specialties all have their own potential to generate more revenue for an office. But, would we market ourselves to ODs that DON'T have an interest in that particular area?

I don't know the answer to this question. I have conflicting thoughts. For example, if I am interested and awesome with VT/peds.

"Yes, I should market myself to ODs that DON'T have an interest in VT/peds. This way, I will be able to expand the scope of practice and generate more revenue. The primary OD can see adults, and I can work with their children."

or..

"No, I should market myself to ODs that already have a practice that specializes in VT/peds. They are already a busy office and need someone else to help them out. Two is better than one. More docs, more patients. Besides, VT/peds is the office's specialty."

Honestly, I am leaning on the "Yes, I should market myself to ODs that DON'T have an interest in VT/peds" This is the way that I have seen most offices GROW and really generate more revenue. I see more multi-specialized practices than specialized practices with multiple docs.

 

[shirazyterp]

I wanted to bring this thread back! I do not know what "browneyebeauty" ended up doing but I am from the same region but on the Maryland side. I am graduating in 11 days. I am very excited but at the same time looking for the right job for me. I am looking to work more in a private practice setting but have faced the same problem of most jobs in the DC area being retail for full time jobs. I have also found a sublease which brings back this thread. From what I understand this is the closest to private practice if you can't start cold turkey with a larger practice in the area. So, I am thinking I have about 6 to 9 months of grace period on my loans. I can move back with my parents for the next few months and try to start cold turkey with a sublease. What's the pro's and cons of starting cold turkey with a sublease like lens crafters? Can anyone who has done it comment? Message me privately if you dont' want to share!

 

[Tippytoe]

I wanted to bring this thread back! I do not know what "browneyebeauty" ended up doing but I am from the same region but on the Maryland side. I am graduating in 11 days. I am very excited but at the same time looking for the right job for me. I am looking to work more in a private practice setting but have faced the same problem of most jobs in the DC area being retail for full time jobs. I have also found a sublease which brings back this thread. From what I understand this is the closest to private practice if you can't start cold turkey with a larger practice in the area. So, I am thinking I have about 6 to 9 months of grace period on my loans. I can move back with my parents for the next few months and try to start cold turkey with a sublease. What's the pro's and cons of starting cold turkey with a sublease like lens crafters? Can anyone who has done it comment? Message me privately if you dont' want to share!

You know it is a shame. Many of us have been harping on this point. Most OD students want to work in private practice. But there just aren't many opportunities any longer. It was like this 15 years ago when I graduated so I just bit the bullet and opened cold while working like a dog in commercial, OMD and nursing home practices.

Fact is, commercial is soon to be all that optometry offers. It's a job but not a good career. Posts like yours prove this yet many still are in denial.

To the poster, nothing wrong with subleasing. Just make sure the opportunites are in your favor so you don't become an indentured servant to an OD mega-store lord. Good luck.

 

[shirazyterp]

You know it is a shame. Many of us have been harping on this point. Most OD students want to work in private practice. But there just aren't many opportunities any longer. It was like this 15 years ago when I graduated so I just bit the bullet and opened cold while working like a dog in commercial, OMD and nursing home practices.

Fact is, commercial is soon to be all that optometry offers. It's a job but not a good career. Posts like yours prove this yet many still are in denial.

To the poster, nothing wrong with subleasing. Just make sure the opportunites are in your favor so you don't become an indentured servant to an OD mega-store lord. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip. I want to get into private practice but there just seems to be not as many opportunities as I thought there would be. I am thinking a sublease would be a good start to eventually go into my own private practice or a multi-practice.

Any recommendations on pros and cons of subleasing?

 

[Optomchick]

Thanks for the tip. I want to get into private practice but there just seems to be not as many opportunities as I thought there would be. I am thinking a sublease would be a good start to eventually go into my own private practice or a multi-practice.

Any recommendations on pros and cons of subleasing?

Are you required to pay rent? how much? If so, then it seems like the "more flexible power" you have isn't really worth it if you're basically doing the same thing as the regular employed OD.

 

[q1we3]

Thanks for the tip. I want to get into private practice but there just seems to be not as many opportunities as I thought there would be. I am thinking a sublease would be a good start to eventually go into my own private practice or a multi-practice.

Any recommendations on pros and cons of subleasing?

Have you tried ODwire.org? That is the best place to network with practicing ODs, far more civil and helpful.

 

[shirazyterp]

Optomchick: I am going to find out all the details soon....I am just exploring my options for now!...
q1we3: I just signed up for ODwire as well thanks!

 

[KHE]

Thanks for the tip. I want to get into private practice but there just seems to be not as many opportunities as I thought there would be. I am thinking a sublease would be a good start to eventually go into my own private practice or a multi-practice.

Any recommendations on pros and cons of subleasing?

I looked at this thread while responding to a PM.

Would you mind sharing what you've tried to do to secure a private practice position? Where and how have you looked?

Please PM me.