In part 1 of this series, we reviewed how to determine the right time to bring on an associate doctor and where to start looking. In part 2, I answer the question, “How do you select the right person?”
Personality
You cannot train personality, so making sure to select someone who fits with your team is imperative. My advice: ask yourself whether they portray your brand and have a demeanor you would be proud to have represent you and your practice.
Additionally, if they are currently practicing elsewhere, I would consider asking the owning doctor how the associate candidate is perceived by both staff and patients. Also, I would try to interact with the candidate in both professional (such as networking events, practice, or meetings) and casual (ie, out for a meal that is not optometry related) settings to get a better understanding of their personality.
Scheduling/Patient Load
Another criterion to finding the right person is to discuss scheduling thoroughly. I have found that doing so ensures the associate candidate’s desired days/times to work match with your expectations. You also want to talk about the patient load you expect them to carry to make sure you are both on the same page.
Practice Goals I also suggest addressing whether the associate candidate would like to take on more clinical time in the future and whether there are any areas of practice (such as a specialty service for example) that they would like to learn or could bring to the table. After all, adding spokes to the wheel of services you provide helps elevate your practice.
Finally, I highly recommend you address partnership. Some hiring doctors have no plans to partner with other doctors in the future; some associates never desire to become a partner. Both ideologies are perfectly acceptable, however, when one party believes a relationship is heading toward partnership and the other does not, tension and resentment are easily bred. By discussing this up front and continuing this conversation through employment, however, your working relationship will have a significant better chance of success.
Bringing It All Together
Finding the right associate can be a challenge, but by selecting someone who fits in with your team, wants to grow in a way that aligns with your goals, and can add value to your practice, you will set both your clinic and the associate up for success. Check back soon, as we explore the next step: coming to an employment agreement. OM
