My associateship is nothing like I was promised!!!

by | Oct 3, 2012 | Student to OD | 80 comments

I recently spoke with an associate optometrist that has been out of school for about 3 years.  She was at a loss since her fairy tale story of practice bliss was not coming true.  She believes that the doctors who employ her are like the wicked sisters in what she was hoping to be a cinderella story.  When she graduated school “the sisters” made promises to her of a practice that was bursting at the seams.  She was promised that her salary would grow exponentially and a partnership would be offered at the end of the first year.  Now it is three years later and her salary has remained about the same and her schedule is less than stellar.  She also did not have a written agreement that explained the relationship in detail.  To add fuel to the fire she is reading about associates being paid six digits after 3 years of practice and listening to her colleagues, at CE, talking about how great their practice life is.  My heart went out to this associate OD as I know that many promises are being made and many are being broken.  She was definitely seeing the greener grass of those who had a working associate agreement and seeing the fruits of their initial labor.

Some of you feel like you are in a place where there is no hope for the grass to green up.  Before jumping ship consider this . . .

  1. Communicate your frustrations – The optometrist you are employed by is a person too.  Many times sitting down and communicating your frustrations can go a long way.  Never point fingers, instead define the behavior and describe the result of that behavior in your situation.  Book recommendation for this, Crucial Confrontations.
  2. Don’t believe everything you here at CE – This is one of the most frustrating conversations that an optometrist who sincerely wants to learn and find out how other practices are doing.  It is natural for our pride to communicate to other optometrists that all is going good at the practice.  Just remember that all practices have their problems and since problems communicate weakness, then no one wants to tell you about them.
  3. You have Negotiating Power – As a CEO, there is a cost to replacing an associate, both financially and patient perception.  A CEO knows that patients like to have a doctor that is consistent.  It also costs money in replacing you, so know that if you have done a good job and the longer you have been with the practice the more the CEO wants you to stay.

If you must leave . . .

  1. Learn from your mistakes
  2. Be better prepared for your next associateship – Get your hands on an
     associate agreement that is being used by many associates successfully throughout the U.S. and read it.  Then make changes according to our needs and wants.  This will be a huge advantage for you knowing what you want.  See below to get a free copy.
  3. Multiple divorces have one common denominator – Look in the mirror and make sure that you can be happy somewhere and that the problem does not lie within what your expectations are.  Remember your uncle who has been married and divorced three times.  He talks about all the problems in the women he married and you know that he is the problem.

There are many associates struggling to find the perfect fit.  The most successful associates knew what they expected and wanted prior to signing their associate agreement.  If you are a struggling associate, take the time to read through a sample associate agreement and be prepared to negotiate your next position.

For a FREE SAMPLE ASSOCIATE AGREEMENT, sign up to the right for OptometryCEO and comment on this post that you would like to be sent a PDF of the associate agreement used by others just like you.

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80 Comments

  1. Will King
    Will King on October 3, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Would like to be sent a copy of the associate agreement.
    Thanks!

  2. Dr Bill Townsend
    Dr Bill Townsend on October 3, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Would very much appreciate copy of associate agreement. Thank you.

  3. E
    E on October 3, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Please send me a copy of the associate agreement PDF. Thanks!

  4. Nick Onken
    Nick Onken on October 3, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    I’d love one!

  5. Ben Dietrich
    Ben Dietrich on October 3, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Please send me a Copy

  6. Jack
    Jack on October 3, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I would like a copy of the agreement too. Thanks!

  7. JMB
    JMB on October 3, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    I would love a copy, please!

  8. Hayward
    Hayward on October 3, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    I would like a copy please.

  9. J F Hill
    J F Hill on October 3, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    I’d like a copy, thanks

  10. H Chima
    H Chima on October 3, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I would greatly appreciate the associate agreement PDF. Thank you for your post.

  11. James
    James on October 5, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Will you please send me an associate agreement.

  12. Erica N.
    Erica N. on October 5, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement.
    Thank you!

  13. L
    L on October 8, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    please send me a copy of the agreement too!

    thanks so much!

  14. Kyle Henderson
    Kyle Henderson on October 8, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    Great presentation the other night! I would like a copy of the agreement as well please. Thank you!

  15. Adam Zurkey
    Adam Zurkey on October 9, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I would love to get a copy of the example associate agreement!
    Thanks!!!

  16. Justyna
    Justyna on October 11, 2012 at 11:56 am

    I would love to get a copy of the example associate agreement!
    Thanks!!!

  17. Will
    Will on October 22, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I would like to be sent a PDF of the associate agreement used by others.

    Thanks!

  18. K
    K on October 22, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    I would like a copy of this agreement. Thanks!

  19. Andrea Fisher
    Andrea Fisher on October 29, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Please send a copy of the PDF. Thank you

    • cflem2c
      cflem2c on November 8, 2012 at 9:21 am

      You should receive the document in the next 24 hrs, if you do not receive it please request directly to optometryceo@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest.
      Chad

  20. Jennifer Craig
    Jennifer Craig on November 19, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    I would greatly appreciate a copy of the associate agreement. Thanks in advance!

    • cflem2c
      cflem2c on November 19, 2012 at 11:51 pm

      I would be happy to send you the associate agreement. You may have signed up already for the blog to receive the agreement. Once you have completed this step I will send you the document for your use. If you have any questions regarding the agreement please contact me at optometryceo@gmail.com

  21. Lauren S.
    Lauren S. on November 25, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Please email me a copy of the associate agreement. Thanks!

  22. Chad Mies
    Chad Mies on November 30, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Dr. Fleming,
    Just wondering if you could send me a copy of the associate agreement? Thanks

    • cflem2c
      cflem2c on November 30, 2012 at 10:55 am

      The associate contract should be in your email box this morning. If not please let me know.

  23. JPOD
    JPOD on January 8, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Would love a copy of the agreement. Very good articles!

  24. Kaitlyn K.
    Kaitlyn K. on January 19, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    Please send me a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you!

  25. B
    B on February 18, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    I’d like to request a copy of the associate agreement. Thanks!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on February 20, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      Please sign up for OptometryCEO to receive your copy. Thanks!

  26. J Enevoldsen
    J Enevoldsen on February 19, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    May I have a copy of the associate agreement, please? Thank you!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on February 20, 2013 at 5:04 pm

      You should be receiving a link to download the associate agreement.

  27. Kari
    Kari on March 7, 2013 at 11:22 am

    I’d love a copy.

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on March 9, 2013 at 6:13 pm

      The link to the agreement has been sent. Let me know how the agreement impacts your business and career.

  28. Vance Lewis
    Vance Lewis on March 7, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on March 9, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      The link to the agreement has been sent.

  29. Glenn Bailey
    Glenn Bailey on March 7, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement. Thanks.

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on March 9, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      A link to the file has been sent. Let me know how the agreement impacts your practice. – C

  30. Nancy
    Nancy on March 20, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Please send me the link to the agreement also. Thanks!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on March 21, 2013 at 9:31 pm

      I just sent the associate agreement for your review. Let me know if you have any questions.

  31. Blake S
    Blake S on April 5, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    I would like a copy of the agreement

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 6, 2013 at 11:34 pm

      The associate agreement has been sent. Let me know if you have any problems downloading it.

  32. Dee
    Dee on April 6, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Please send me your associate agreement.

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 6, 2013 at 11:33 pm

      The associate agreement has been sent.

  33. Obie
    Obie on April 9, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    I would like a copy of the Associate Agreement. Thank you.

  34. Brent
    Brent on April 11, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    I would like a copy of the Assoc. Agreement.

    Thanks

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 12, 2013 at 10:38 pm

      I sent the agreement your way.

  35. Jacob Janecek, OD
    Jacob Janecek, OD on May 30, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    I would greatly appreciate a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you.

  36. Bree
    Bree on July 7, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement as well, thank you!

  37. Cara
    Cara on August 8, 2013 at 9:43 am

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement, please.

  38. C
    C on August 29, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    Please send me a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you!

  39. Mike
    Mike on August 29, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Would also love to have a sample associate agreement. Thanks!

  40. Brian
    Brian on September 7, 2013 at 11:03 pm

    please send me a copy of the associate agreement. thanks!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on September 14, 2013 at 7:42 pm

      Should be in your email box

  41. Abby
    Abby on September 20, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you!

  42. Richard Kellogg
    Richard Kellogg on September 23, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    Thank you for the excellent information. I attended the meeting in Portland also. Please send me a copy of the associate agreement.

  43. April
    April on October 2, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    I would like to be sent a PDF of the associate agreement used by others. Thanks!

  44. Nanci Webster
    Nanci Webster on January 8, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    I would very much appreciate receiving a copy of the Associate Agreement used by others. Thanks!

  45. Kay
    Kay on February 2, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Please send me a copy of the agreement. Thank you.

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on February 5, 2014 at 10:53 am

      The agreement was sent to your email.

  46. David Anderson
    David Anderson on February 27, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Chad your the coolest. I would like a copy of the associate agreement. Thanks

  47. Griselda
    Griselda on April 21, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    I’d like a copy of the associate agreement! Thanks!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 21, 2014 at 5:48 pm

      There are 2 different ones sent to your email address. Thank you for your interest.

  48. Michelle Sandler
    Michelle Sandler on April 21, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I’d love a copy of the agreement. Thanks so much!

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 21, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      You should receive 2 samples via email. Let me know if you have any questions.

  49. Melanie Carvell
    Melanie Carvell on April 21, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    Great article! Could I receive a PDF copy of the associate agreement?

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on April 22, 2014 at 12:23 pm

      I sent 2 samples to your email address. Thanks

  50. Lynn Hellerstein
    Lynn Hellerstein on May 7, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    Please send me a copy of the associate agreement.

    Also, are you available to consult regarding terms of the agreement?

  51. Steve Hedges
    Steve Hedges on May 7, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    Hey Chad,
    Hope you’re having a great week so far! I would love it if you would send me the copy of the associate agreement in the article above. Thanks for your time and look forward to gaining more insight into joining a private practice.
    Thanks again,
    Steve

  52. Jay
    Jay on May 14, 2014 at 7:00 am

    I would like a copy. Thanks

  53. Nick
    Nick on May 18, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    I would like a copy please. Thanks!

  54. Megan
    Megan on May 21, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I would like a copy of the associate agreement PDF please!

  55. Joy
    Joy on June 15, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Please send me a copy of the associate agreement.

    • Chad Fleming
      Chad Fleming on June 18, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Sent June 18, 2014 8:20 AM

  56. Jennifer
    Jennifer on September 29, 2014 at 8:08 am

    Please email me a copy of the Associate’s Contract.

    Thanks

  57. Phoenix Tran
    Phoenix Tran on December 27, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    I would like to have a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you so much for everything that you are doing.

    Phoenix

  58. Robin Price
    Robin Price on January 5, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Thanks for all the great information, Chad. Your blogs have been very helpful. Could I please get a copy of the sample associate OD agreement?

  59. Jason Maycock
    Jason Maycock on February 1, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Great article.

    I would appreciate a copy of the associate agreement.

  60. Alan
    Alan on April 3, 2015 at 8:33 am

    I appreciate the insight you consistently provide into these issues. Could I please have a copy of the sample associate agreement?

  61. Amanda
    Amanda on May 7, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    Thanks for the article. I would appreciate a copy of the associate agreement. Thank you.

  62. N S
    N S on June 13, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Id like a copy of the agreement, thank you