Leasing or employment for new OD?

**shemeeka** · 05-20-2008, 07:33 PM

I'm a new OD. I am thinking about leasing out a space in a Sears as independent doctor of optometry. I am trying to figure what kind of a salary I can expect. It's hard because of the third party insurances. I also know I have to buy records and malpractice insurance before I see one patient. So any ideas of how the estimate a salary and if going with employment is a better for a new OD.

**Jacqui** · 05-20-2008, 08:06 PM

Why isn't this in general discussion??

**Newsroom** · 05-20-2008, 08:19 PM

<Moved to correct forum>

**harry a saake** · 05-20-2008, 08:36 PM

Doc, before you do call me at 704-763-9124, harry, tnx

**2020visioncenter** · 05-21-2008, 07:39 AM

Dr.Shemeeka,
I once was affiliated with a division of this chain and you may want to reconsider sooner rather than later. You will not be salaried there because in NC, you must be independent of chains. It is a hard way to make a living because you must accept a lot of the low paying vision plans like eyemed, cole, davis, etc. While these will certainly boost your bottom line in using them, they will not pay off your student loan debt very quickly.
I have a very lucrative position available in Greenville, NC with a guaranteed salary and benefits of $95,000. This is very different than working for sears because they want you there 6 days a week, every week per a contract. With my company, you will not have the headaches of running the business, but rather concentrating on your patients and getting 3 weeks off/year plus holidays. Private practice has a different feel and you have to be comfortable in whatever you choose. I think going on your own right out of school is commendable, it is often with much headache and you tend to learn from the school of hard knocks.
Please contact me if you are interested. Eileen Weitzel, OD 252-258-5860

**shemeeka** · 05-21-2008, 09:13 AM

Thanks for the information. Your offer sounds great but I need to stay in the Charlotte area. I am getting married and my fiance's has a promising job Charlotte. I really would like to work under an OD since I won't get licensed in NC in late August or on the SC border (I should be SC licensed in a few weeks). Thanks again!

**Stonegoat** · 05-21-2008, 10:55 AM

I'm surprised that any OD who would choose a corporate chain over private practice would actually be capable of completing optometric training. Seems like a dumb-*** thing to do. The profession is going down the toilet....thanks corporate ODs!!

**orangezero** · 05-21-2008, 11:41 AM

I wouldn't pay much at all for those files.

**AdmiralKnight** · 05-21-2008, 01:33 PM

Wow. Harsh much?

When working for Sears, we had an OD who contracted with us. Sears built him an office, with a seperate, outside entrance, bought all his equipment, and he worked very cushy hours (4 days a week, 5-6 hours a day). Now, this is Canada we're talking about, but don't scoff at an oppertunity when it arises. Within less than two years, this OD was able to open his own practice.

**kws6000** · 05-21-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by AdmiralKnight

Wow. Harsh much?

When working for Sears, we had an OD who contracted with us. Sears built him an office, with a seperate, outside entrance, bought all his equipment, and he worked very cushy hours (4 days a week, 5-6 hours a day). Now, this is Canada we're talking about, but don't scoff at an oppertunity when it arises. Within less than two years, this OD was able to open his own practice.

That must have been in the past before Cole and then Luxottica got involved.They tried to strong arm the ODs with american style contracts which basically dictated everything outside of the exams.

Personally,I wouldnt be associated with sears.

**kws6000** · 05-21-2008, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by shemeeka

I'm a new OD. I am thinking about leasing out a space in a Sears as independent doctor of optometry. I am trying to figure what kind of a salary I can expect. It's hard because of the third party insurances. I also know I have to buy records and malpractice insurance before I see one patient. So any ideas of how the estimate a salary and if going with employment is a better for a new OD.

Why would you have to buy records for a sears location?

Salary? what salary,your income would be based on piecework.

Is their contract going to dictate your hours and make you technically responsible for getting another OD in to cover for you if you take any time off?

You might want to contact the previous od and see why they quit.

.another thing to consider is the type of patients you will get.You will likely see a totally different class of patient in a dept store setting versus a private practice.

**shemeeka** · 05-21-2008, 04:19 PM

The old OD is leaving to move another state. She said she liked working for them. I have to buy the records because they are owned by the previous OD, She said she would sell for about $1000. I am uneasy because I know my salary is based on how many patients I see, but I'm not sure how many people come to Sears for eye exams. I meant that I would like to know if I could expect to 65,000 or 80,000/year. I'm not sure if asking the OD about how much she made would be inappropiate.

**braheem24** · 05-21-2008, 04:54 PM

you're buying, she's selling! it's NOT rude to ask how much she made.

Dont be so nice, files and location may not be worth a dime.

I would work a few weeks without signing a contract till you know better what you're getting into.

**AdmiralKnight** · 05-21-2008, 05:05 PM

Agreed fully. Even if you feel bad about asking what she made, make sure you ask specific questions pertaining to how many patients she got per year. Even if you get that, it'll atleast give you an idea of what you'd be making.

**kws6000** · 05-21-2008, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by shemeeka

The old OD is leaving to move another state. She said she liked working for them. I have to buy the records because they are owned by the previous OD, She said she would sell for about $1000. I am uneasy because I know my salary is based on how many patients I see, but I'm not sure how many people come to Sears for eye exams. I meant that I would like to know if I could expect to 65,000 or 80,000/year. I'm not sure if asking the OD about how much she made would be inappropiate.

Since it is in her best interest to play up the place to sell the records,you might not get honest answers.However,I would ask her as well as the optical manager what the patient volume was.I would also try to see the appt book for the past 3 years to see the trend.

People going to a dept store for eye exams arent loyal so the repeat business wont be near as good as in a private practice.

Your patient volume will also strongly depend on how good the optical is doing and also the quality of goods they sell and the service they provide.

If patients get annoyed at the optical,they likely wont return to see you since they associate you with the optical.

You will also tend to see a lot of people who havent been checked for years and likely have more time consuming problems.

If your time frame is short with the optical,then repeat business is unimportant.

Just remember to look after your own interests because the optical is going to do what serves their interest..They only see you as an rx producer and if they can get you to sit around 60 hrs/wk with a spotty appt schedule,they dont care since it benefits them,and they dont have to pay you.

I would be very careful about what you sign.Ive seen some contracts that are biased totally in favor of the optical,even including clauses that if you breech the contract in any way,you agree to pay their legal fees to go after you!

this particular contract was so restrictive on days worked, that if you took any holiday time,sick time ,or convention days off,you would be breeching the contract unless you provided another OD to work these days.

Also consider that if the optical decides to increase your hours of coverage,regardless of whether the patient volume warrants it and you decline,they will replace you at their first chance.

Unfortunately,in the US,it sounds like there are so many hungry optometry grads that will work for dirt,the chain opticals can get away with this bs.