THE REASONS

Admittedly, this one is a little risky. It could backfire and you could lose not just an employee, but a patient. However, in a time when many practices are struggling to find employees, I wouldn’t rule out this option, especially if the patient shows positive traits, such as punctuality, attentiveness to medical instructions, and cheerfulness.

During a typical eye exam, some small talk takes place. It’s generally acceptable to ask someone about their job. What type of work do you do? Do you enjoy it? What type of work are you interested in? Think of this as a covert interview. Because it feels like small talk, the person will likely be more candid with their replies. This provides more genuine feedback to determine whether the person is a good fit.

IMPLEMENTATION

Here are a few considerations for hiring a patient:

• Be selective. Target patients who have demonstrated strong character values as a patient of yours.
• Don’t make it feel like an interview. Keep it conversational.
• Don’t be overly aggressive. Extend a low pressure offer: “If you’re ever interested in a career change, give us a call.”

I targeted patients, but this process can work on anyone you interact with. As they say in the HR world, always be hiring! OM