Fill-in ODs: Practice problem or solution

You want to take some time off from your practice, maybe a day or two here and there, maybe for an extended leave, and you want to hire a temporary worker (also known as a fill-in doctor, relief doctor, or locum tenens). The relationship with a locum can be rewarding or frustrating. You have the power to make it successful, but it does take some preparation and planning.

Until the end of 2013, I worked happily in New York in a state-of-the-art practice I shared with two ophthalmologists. It was a dream situation, and the only thing that made me leave was my husband’s decision to retire, and our choice to relocate to Austin, TX, where we had family and could escape the long cold winters.

I found and saved a May 2013 article in Optometry Times by Bill Sharpton, OD, who sold his practice in 2000, and spent the next 10 years working as a locum in Georgia. I thought, “That’s what I’ll do.”

It turns out that there are quite a few practices in Texas that use relief doctors, at least occasionally. Here are a few things that I learned.

More practice management: 5 ways to improve in-office purchasing

1. Don’t be a cheapskate.

The pay is insanely low. In his article, Dr. Sharpton said that his minimum daily charge was $500. I was offered as low as half that amount. Because I refuse to work for so little money, I have turned down many more jobs than I have accepted.

I spoke to people who wanted to hire me without even meeting me or showing me their offices. Some doctors had their receptionists call, as if it was too much work to be bothered calling a doctor who would be covering their practice for a few days. I figured that I was going to care about their practices more than they did, so I didn't accept those jobs.

Pay your colleagues well, and have a check ready for them at the end of each work day. Remember that people charge for their services what they think their services are worth. You may find someone who’s willing to work for the lowest day rate you can dream of. Is that the person you want representing your practice? Are you going to be surprised when that person’s productivity is low?

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