From the AOSA

Fitting In

By Alan Wegener, AOSA Vice President

The lead doctor at my externship said adding staff is like a puzzle. “With two people, the puzzle is simple and straightforward, but a 20-piece puzzle is complex and takes longer to put together.”

So, where do we fit into this puzzle? Naturally, it's important to fit well with the doctors. If they need a middle piece but you refuse to be anything but a corner, don't be surprised if it doesn't work.

Equally important is our fit with the personnel already in place. The practice has invested time and money training the staff, so it's paramount to foster good relationships with them.

For example, consider the student who calls, expressing an interest in the practice and potential employment, but he was unfriendly or perhaps rude. The doctor hears about the staff person's negative encounter, and that's the end of the line. From the doctor's point of view, the potential applicant already failed his most important test.

Remember, optometric practices have spent years building and perfecting their own personalized puzzle. Opportunities are everywhere, but not every opening will fit your unique personality and style. If things don't pan out, it could be them, but it could also be you. nOD