Proposal to a plastic surgeon

[Pompal 09.]

I approached a plastic surgeon who focuses on cosmetic surgery, anti-aging and skin care about working with him part time. I was drawn to this practice because he believes in the importance of the mind/body connection and embraces meditation, yoga, good nutrition, and he also employs a personal trainer who offers her services. I felt massage therapy would be a natural compliment to the services he offers, and it turns out ... he agrees.

My interest is to work with him part time while maintaining my own private practice, which is about eight miles from his clinic. We need to decide on compensation (I will be an independent contractor), and the question of patients possibly wanting to come to my private office rather than the clinic will have to be addressed. I could use some direction with other issues that I need to include in this proposal.

This doctor told me that he is interviewing other doctors and staff with the thoughts of enlarging this clinic location and possibly closing a second office he has in the city. He seems very open to having me there, but wants to know what I have in mind, i.e., how much time I will commit, days/hours, etc., and where I will work within the office (he has three treatment rooms and an operating room with a three-bed recovery area). I am open to anything since I will adjust my days/hours at my practice accordingly.

Any thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Nicole Washman]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Draw it up and bring it to him, what do you want. What is fair compensation for your area? What are you going to supply, what will he be providing? How many hours do you want to work, and what days? Those are all things you will have to figure out. It's very important to have it in writing before starting with him, I learned that lesson the hard way when I worked out of a PT office. We didn't really write anything down as he just wanted the room space filled and he was willing to give a commission until I got busier, when I would pay the rent. We went over everything verbally and then a few months later, he changed his ideas of what he wanted and I left because I wasn't interested in becoming an employee.

I've also done the multiple locations thing and didn't mention to clients that I worked in another location, if they found out, I informed them I would only be seeing them at that one place.

It sounds like the doc there doesn't really know what it means when dealing with a massage therapist and whatever you bring to him, as long as it's fair, he'll probably go along with.

If you still want to maintain your private practice, keep in mind that if you get really busy at the plastic surgery clinic and your private practice, there's a good chance he'll eventually hire a therapist who can be there more days/hours.

 

[Cool Dude]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Also wanted to add, ask him how he wants to handle it if clients want to come to your clinic. Surprisingly, there are a good number of business owners that don't mind if the clients come see you somewhere else. For instance, the PT didn't care whether they saw me there or at my other practice and I've worked a few other places that were similar. Whatever the decision, just make sure that it's in writing.

 

[KRS]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Thanks, Kathryn, for your reply. I would certainly have our agreement in writing. Since he is in a "transition" with the possibility of closing one office, I think he's considering many options. I can be flexible, but I should offer up some definitive days/times with the caveat that I can work other times if more convenient. If it happens that I become very busy there, I would hire someone to help out in my office. I will have to ask him how he feels about patients from the clinic asking to be seen in my office.

 

[JerW]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Hi.

I had a friend who worked with a plastics-guy. She eventually married him.

I definitely agree on putting all your ideas in writing and sitting down to talk about it. It is a very good fit, massage and plastics. I hope it works out for you. It can be quite interesting.

I would be very surprised if he would have a problem with the clients eventually coming to your office. I think in a case like this, it would be more of the client goes where they can depending on thye hours which work for their schedule. Many times when someone has been referred by a plastic surgeon after a "job", they really do need to get the soft tissue work. So, he would want to be flexible in that regard, I would think.

 

[Shaggster]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Hi Pueppi!

I appreciate your comments. I agree about the clients issue ... we don't "own" them, and they are free to go wherever they want. Hopefully if the situation arises (assuming, of course, that I do actually work for the doctor), that his interests would lie with the client/patient and have no objection.

 

[Nate]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Hi Healer,
In case you go for it with the doctor, you may be interested in the article I wrote about marketing under the umbrella of another business. Here's the link:
http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/NTM-Article-Archives/2007/08-Marketing-within-Another-Business.php

 

[weasa]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Hi Healer,
In case you go for it with the doctor, you may be interested in the article I wrote about marketing under the umbrella of another business. Here's the link:
http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/NTM-Article-Archives/2007/08-Marketing-within-Another-Business.php

Thanks for this link Diana. I will be looking at implementing some of these suggestions myself!

 

[Dachmelehad]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

You're welcome...good luck!

Diana

 

[Lektronk]

Proposal to a plastic surgeon

Thanks, Diana - good information. I was thinking along similar lines ... but you added a few more for consideration.

I submitted the proposal yesterday, so I am waiting to hear back. Thanks, again.

Donna