optician apperence

[countryeyes]

Just trying to poll other optical practices out there... In our practice the lab and dispensing optician wear lab coats with their names on them along with their position. However, quite a number of our new pts confuse these employees with the Dr of the practice because of the lab coats. We would like to alleviate this confusion and were wondering if anyone out there has encountered the same issue and how did you fix it?

[chip anderson]

I've known a great many doctors who would not wear white "doctor's jackets" because they felt it frightened children. Would not this be even more true for dispenser's. Why not wear what you want (within reasonable office decorum). If you are sitting behind the dispensing table, you are probably well identified as "the dispenser."
Name tags would be a further identification and plenty for an office environment.
If the dispensary wishes to furninsh you with "pajamas" to offset the expense of wearing your own clothes, or if you are in the lab where things can get a little messy, then wear some sort of smock.
But as far as greeting the public, no official attair should be needed.

Chip

[cocoisland58]

There are days I miss the old lab coat with it's handy pockets and fat hiding capabilities but I don't see too many optician/dispensors wearing them anymore. One of our docs wears one but she is young and I think it helps her credibility. Our older doc wears a suit and tie. I never think having sales staff wear lab coats or "pajamas" is a good idea. Name tags if you wish are enough to identify you and your position. We don't even wear those anymore but I think we should.

[Chris Ryser]

Times have changed. A few years back when I went to the bank to make deposits, everybody was dressed up, jackets and tie. Then on Fridays they were allowed to come in jeans and a years after that there was no more dress regulation. So, why not in an optical business.

[obxeyeguy]

Maybe give some thought to what Chris elluded to, a more casual look. I have seen some nice embroidered polo type shirts with nice khakis that look fine. A lot depends on the "look" that you are after.

If not, try blue smocks, as they worked for someone....:bbg:

[DragonLensmanWV]

Our dispensers wear white jackets if they so desire. I wear whatever I feel like. I think as long as you have a neat appearance, you're fine. I do stress that they write legibly and spelling is very important.

[ohioeyeguy]

Lab coats are available in many colors. why dont you try having the opticians and lab techs wear lab coats that arent white. I would assume that pt's might be able to tell teh difference between the two if your optical staff wore a gray lab coat while the dr.'s wore the traditional white.

[HarryChiling]

The office I work in now doesn't require any specific dress code and honestly that would be the first thing I would change given the chance. The reason why:

quite a number of our new pts confuse these employees with the Dr of the practice because of the lab coats

The lab coats tend to convey a level of respect from patients I have seen just lab coats alone lead to higher sales, better patient staff interaction, and more self respect from the staff. The reality of the situation is that if the staff is involved in any sort of recommendations for eyewear; what little the lab coat does is peanuts compared to the amount of respect taken away from the profession. I do want to also add that any of the staff there should make every attempt to always correct the patient immediately when patients refer to them as doctors, optometrist, or ophthalmologist. It's one thing to try and garner more respect it is entirely another to portray oneself as another profession.

[Ginster]

We just this week started wearing Polo shirts with our logo on them and kahkis, I feel even more under dressed, the techs and front desk have gotten some really nice taylored looking scrubs this year. They look alot better than last years scrubs. My jury's still out but I will wear what they want us to wear, I love my job anyway.:)

[sharpstick777]

We wear business casual, which means button up dress shirts and slacks (for men) and name badges. I often wear a tie but I like cool ties so its just for fun. I think Matching Polo's look great especially when they are black Polo's with Khaki pants.

Many states like California require employers to pay for uniforms so that is another consideration. Personally I think scrubs are tacky unless your in Opthalmology, and then black scrubs make the most sense. Black Lab coats look much better than white. The multicolored scrubs that look like a casino carpet are just too much for my tastes.

What ever the choice you should look professional and convey a sense of confidence to the patient, and there are many good ways of doing that.

Sharpstick

[Ginster]

We wear business casual, which means button up dress shirts and slacks (for men) and name badges. I often wear a tie but I like cool ties so its just for fun. I think Matching Polo's look great especially when they are black Polo's with Khaki pants.

Many states like California require employers to pay for uniforms so that is another consideration. Personally I think scrubs are tacky unless your in Opthalmology, and then black scrubs make the most sense. Black Lab coats look much better than white. The multicolored scrubs that look like a casino carpet are just too much for my tastes.

What ever the choice you should look professional and convey a sense of confidence to the patient, and there are many good ways of doing that.

Sharpstick

Ou polos are black and pants kahki, I just feel under dressed for an Ophthalmology practice, granted the scrubs last year wear just ok, but this year the girls in our office look really nice and professional in them.:)

[Fezz]

I suggest mandatory goatees!


Men and ladies!

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::D

[finefocus]

Khakis and polos are not far removed from jeans and tees, in my opinion. If your customers look to you for fashion advice (they do, don't they?) you could show more knowledge and more professionalism by dressing better. If you hide behind a lab coat, that makes you only a tech but not someone to pick a style for the fashion-timid. Proper slacks, good shoes, a dress shirt, and probably a tie for gentlemen; a dress, or skirt and blouse, or slacks and non-casual top for women. Is it "Professional Eyewear", or "Eyeglass Barn" where you work? Dress better than the salesman at the tennis-shoe store, our profession deserves it.

[libellule]

In our office the Docs and Techs wear white lab coats and the Opticians wear blue lab coats (if we want to). I think this sets us apart from the administrative employees but keeps us from being mistaken for the doctor. (we are an OD practice) The Opticians are expected to dress well and appropriately....even under our lab coats. How can I sell you $300+ frame with $500.00 progressive lenses if I am dressed in khakis and a shirt? (we are in an affluent area)

I want to be thought of as the professional that I feel I am and I dress the part.

[Oedema]

The best dressed office i've ever seen was an ophthalmology practice in which all the staff wore similar (or the same) black button up shirt with an open collar and black slacks. Scrubs just look terribly frumpy, though i probably wouldn't mind so much if I got to wear them and be comfortable all day!

[Bill West]

One day a month, I work naked to keep business pumped up. No slow times for me.:cheers:

[finefocus]

One day a month, I work naked to keep business pumped up. No slow times for me.:cheers:

Pumped up? Good one. You'd want to keep the saltpan on a high shelf.

[cocoisland58]

Even though I think our staff looks better in regular clothes I have been toying with the idea of wearing a lab coat and having a name tag made to see if it would make a difference in peoples attitudes and sales. Sometimes they seem surprised at my knowledge as if I was just the receptionist a moment ago.

[harry888]

Our state board requires name tags with name and license number.

So, we have it on the lab coat. Those lab coats also hide a multitute of questionable clothing choices.

As for the lab coats making patients mistake techs for doctors......I found it sexist, the male in the lab coat is always the doctor.

Harry

[LadyDie]

I've known a great many doctors who would not wear white "doctor's jackets" because they felt it frightened children. Would not this be even more true for dispenser's. Why not wear what you want (within reasonable office decorum). If you are sitting behind the dispensing table, you are probably well identified as "the dispenser."
Name tags would be a further identification and plenty for an office environment.
If the dispensary wishes to furninsh you with "pajamas" to offset the expense of wearing your own clothes, or if you are in the lab where things can get a little messy, then wear some sort of smock.
But as far as greeting the public, no official attair should be needed.

Chip

I work in a high end optical so we dress up, but I have to share a kinda funny story with you.
I was working with a 5yr old extreemly shy girl. I could barely get her to look at me to check size during frame selection. I tried to build up a rapport with her and was somewhat successful. By the time I had to do a PD she would look at me for brief periods.
When she came to pick up her new glasses, I was telling her how pretty she looked, still trying to draw her out. I commented to her "wait till the kids in school see how nice you look!". Her mom said "oh tomorrow is pajama day in school". I then said "how fun! Do you think Dr. J. would let us have pajama day here that sounds fun?".
A man in the waiting area overheard me and raises his hand and says "can I reschedule my exam for that day?"

[cocoisland58]

[quote=Oedema;282614]The best dressed office i've ever seen was an ophthalmology practice in which all the staff wore similar (or the same) black button up shirt with an open collar and black slacks. quote]


The problem with that is some employees can't wear this without looking like stuffed cows and yet wearing attire they have chosen because it hides certain areas makes them look quite nice.

[For-Life]

We wear business casual, which means button up dress shirts and slacks (for men) and name badges. I often wear a tie but I like cool ties so its just for fun. I think Matching Polo's look great especially when they are black Polo's with Khaki pants.

Many states like California require employers to pay for uniforms so that is another consideration. Personally I think scrubs are tacky unless your in Opthalmology, and then black scrubs make the most sense. Black Lab coats look much better than white. The multicolored scrubs that look like a casino carpet are just too much for my tastes.

What ever the choice you should look professional and convey a sense of confidence to the patient, and there are many good ways of doing that.

Sharpstick

That is the one. Dress shirt (lol, I guess I forgot the "r" in shirt the first time around, and it got censored), button up, no tie necessary, no suit jacket. Nice slacks.

Women, a nice suit or dress shirt.

Relaxed, does not come off as cocky, but professional.


Another idea is a company golf shirt and nice slacks. Well fitted, not baggy.

[billmdee]

We wear Black shirts (Polos or button ups) and black slacks. The look is sort of trendy and fashionable.

Unfortunately , besides being an LDO I am also a lab rat.

Black clothes + Polish = messy me

Some times I look like a reverse Dalmatian ;)

[Chris Ryser]

...........and besides the nice dress up prevent them from eating raw garlic before + during business hours :bbg: :D

[For-Life]

We wear Black shirts (Polos or button ups) and black slacks. The look is sort of trendy and fashionable.

Unfortunately , besides being an LDO I am also a lab rat.

Black clothes + Polish = messy me

Some times I look like a reverse Dalmatian ;)

You should get an apron that you can easily put on and take off