IN THEIR WORDS …

Preparing for Your Future

By Aaron Alme, MD

Young doctors face countless challenges in the early years of their careers — job-hunting, relocation, even starting their own practices. By planning ahead, you'll have a more solid foundation on which to launch your career. Here are two key lessons I learned along the way.

Building Your Network

Because I wanted to return to my home state of Montana after graduation, I began the job-hunting process very early — almost two and a half years before finishing my residency. Getting to know the local ophthalmology practices via informational interviews and informal meetings allowed me to learn more about their philosophies and anticipated future needs. It was also important to evaluate if their needs dovetailed with my own.

During this process, I discovered that many of the best jobs are never advertised — they're predominantly filled though personal referrals. For this reason, it's vital to cast a wide net and pursue professional relationships with others early in your training. By attending community meetings and events, you can establish connections in several communities by graduation. If you're lucky, a practice that interests you may be hiring when you're available.

Fortunately, this was my experience. I joined Glacier Eye Clinic in Kalispell, Mont., after completing my fellowship at the University of Nebraska. In addition to the main facility in Kalispell, the practice operates two satellite clinics in nearby rural areas. As a new ophthalmologist, I was excited to have an opportunity with a practice that provided a wide net of service.

Some ophthalmologists may look to open their own practice, which, while challenging, can be rewarding. This route requires more work. It also helps to have business savvy when navigating reimbursement issues, signing leases, hiring staff and acquiring equipment.

Whether you join an existing practice or set out on your own, every practice has its own set of challenges. I recommend examining a practice's needs in advance and choosing a workplace where you're truly needed so you can maximize your chances for sufficient personal case volume and job satisfaction.

Cost Containment

Acquiring and maintaining equipment can be very costly. This is especially important for satellite facilities such as ours, which are located far from the main clinic. The practice operates these facilities to provide a service to senior-aged patients living in rural areas; they are typically financially limited and less able to travel. We believe it's important to continue providing service in these locations, but we must contain our costs.

One way to do so is by utilizing an outsourcing service for our cataract surgery. My office contracts with Sightpath Medical for mobile cataract services at our satellite locations. This enables us to provide patients at those clinics with state-of-the-art care. On designated surgery days, a certified surgical technician (provided by the company) arrives with equipment, instruments, surgical supplies and IOLs. Our surgeons can select their own equipment and instruments in advance, allowing each doctor to choose the tools with which he is most comfortable. This arrangement allows us to pay on a per-case basis, so we can offer cataract surgery without making a capital investment, and we don't have to manage inventory or maintain equipment.

Additionally, Sightpath's National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting-certified technicians and scrubs are highly skilled and reduce the need for the doctor to train or direct staff. For those considering opening their own practice, the simplicity of an arrangement like this can help streamline surgical services.

Having access to high-quality equipment and tools, especially those with which you've already become familiar during your schooling, can be an important confidence booster for a young doctor and helps ensure you're providing the best possible patient care.

Starting on the Right Foot

Starting out can be challenging, but if you plan ahead for your transition into practice, you'll begin your career with greater confidence and a greater chance for success. nMD