Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

[Guest guest]

I posted this last year on another group, but did not get a response. Any

thoughts?

 

I was wondering what folks are paying experienced staff in an acupuncture

office, including front-end/receptionist personnel, acupuncture assistants and

herb room helpers?

 

Also, any thoughts about about pay for performance and other ways to create

incentive for excellent work. I know that when I was working for a start-up (in

a past career), I was never so motivated and such as good worker as when I had a

real stake in the success of the company.

 

On the flip-side, if I have a passionate, involved, well motivated helper who

meaningfully contributes to the success of the clinic, then it seem only fair to

reward that effort.

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

David Toone, L.Ac.

105 Tivoli Gardens

Peachtree City, GA 30269

www.davidtoone.com

[Guest guest]

Maybe a % bonus at end of year for profit after all expenses, including salaries

are paid.

 

Michael W. Bowser, DC, LAc

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

david

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:53:07 +0000

Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I posted this last year on another group, but did not get a response. Any

thoughts?

 

 

 

I was wondering what folks are paying experienced staff in an acupuncture

office, including front-end/receptionist personnel, acupuncture assistants and

herb room helpers?

 

 

 

Also, any thoughts about about pay for performance and other ways to create

incentive for excellent work. I know that when I was working for a start-up (in

a past career), I was never so motivated and such as good worker as when I had a

real stake in the success of the company.

 

 

 

On the flip-side, if I have a passionate, involved, well motivated helper who

meaningfully contributes to the success of the clinic, then it seem only fair to

reward that effort.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

 

 

David Toone, L.Ac.

 

105 Tivoli Gardens

 

Peachtree City, GA 30269

 

www.davidtoone.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________

Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.

http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en\

-US:WM_HMP:032010_1

 

 

[Guest guest]

That's what I do in my clinics. My staff, including acupuncturists, get a

percentage of the profits at the end of the year. My acupuncturists get a base

salary, and then a percentage once they meet the minimum percentage

requirements.

 

 

 

Don Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.

 

> Chinese Traditional Medicine

> naturaldoc1

> Thu, 1 Apr 2010 14:47:36 +0000

> RE: Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

>

>

> Maybe a % bonus at end of year for profit after all expenses, including

salaries are paid.

>

> Michael W. Bowser, DC, LAc

>

>

>

> Chinese Medicine

> david

> Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:53:07 +0000

> Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

I posted this last year on another group, but did not get a response. Any

thoughts?

>

>

>

> I was wondering what folks are paying experienced staff in an acupuncture

office, including front-end/receptionist personnel, acupuncture assistants and

herb room helpers?

>

>

>

> Also, any thoughts about about pay for performance and other ways to create

incentive for excellent work. I know that when I was working for a start-up (in

a past career), I was never so motivated and such as good worker as when I had a

real stake in the success of the company.

>

>

>

> On the flip-side, if I have a passionate, involved, well motivated helper who

meaningfully contributes to the success of the clinic, then it seem only fair to

reward that effort.

>

>

>

> Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

>

>

>

> David Toone, L.Ac.

>

> 105 Tivoli Gardens

>

> Peachtree City, GA 30269

>

> www.davidtoone.com

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

_______________

> Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.

>

http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en\

-US:WM_HMP:032010_1

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don

 

Are you going to let the " system " fear mongeres prevent you from discussing

fees & salaries?

 

And WHO might I ask is going to give you the " OK " ?

A ridiculous notion.

Sorry to say....but that is no different than the Swine Flu Scare.

There are those who work for the system who TEST the waters on how much the

people/practitioners in this case can be hoodwinked into believing those

threats.

 

Richard

 

 

 

In a message dated 4/2/2010 10:59:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

don83407 writes:

 

 

I recall a thread last week that said we were not to discuss salaries and

such on this site. Unless I get the OK to do otherwise, I will honor

that. However, I would be more than happy to discuss this in general terms.

 

 

 

Yes, I love LA and the climate, although San Diegos was much better in

some ways. And I do have problems attracting good acupuncture practitioners

but no problems hiring staff. Many have been with me from the beginning.

I'm hoping to hire another acupuncturist within the next 2 or 3 months.

 

 

 

My overhead at present is around $20,000/mo. (+-). Therefore, I pay the

acupuncturist a base salary and 20% of all collections above $20,000. As

for my staff, they get a bonus at the end of the year on 5% of total

collections. They seem happy. My collections have been between $300,000 and

$500,000 per year (last year was not so good due to trouble with billing dept.)

and I expect to kick productivity up a notch (double, hopefully) this year

by hiring another acupucturist and perhaps opening up two more clinics in

this state or another state by the end of this year. I offer these clinics

to select acupuncturist that show a particular drive and hunger and I staff

them and do all marketing for them to get them started. That being said,

I am getting older now and I would like someone to work with me full time

and perhaps take my home clinic over eventually.

 

 

 

All employees work until the patients leave. Sometimes that is at 8 or 9

PM, although I'm trying to slow down some. They are also actively involved

in marketing (radio, TV, occasional health fairs, etc.) They do whatever

it takes to have and run a successful business.

 

 

 

I used to hire marketing people to help with practice building, but I

learned through experience that this is a waste of good money. No one will

guaranty their work or outcomes. I feel that since I personally guarantee my

outcomes in clinic, other business people should guarantee their also. If

they don't, I don't use them.

 

 

 

All my staff is trained in my proprietary treatment methodology and their

results are almost as good as my own. If I hire an acupuncturist, they

must be willing to learn my methods (treatment and marketing) or they won't be

here long. If they do, they are paid handsomely.

 

 

It has been my experience on this site and other TCM sites that other

practitioners have not appeared too interested in what I do, therefore I seldom

share with folks. (Sort of like throwing pearls before swine But it's

Friday and my assistants are busy with patients and I have the time and

inclination today.

 

 

 

Well, got to go now. I hope this answered some of your questions.

 

 

 

 

 

I am yours,

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Don J. Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Don

 

That certainly wasn't brow beating.

 

I may have missed something so please refer me to when and where this

listserve has rules which states what you appear to be suggesting.

 

Of course its always your choice...I wasn't suggesting anything other.

 

 

Richard

 

 

In a message dated 4/2/2010 11:12:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

don83407 writes:

 

 

I will abide by the rules I agreed upon when I joined this site. It is

the right thing to do and I won't be brow beaten into doing otherwise.

 

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

Dr. Don Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Donald Snow <don83407 wrote:

>

> My acupuncturists get a base salary, and then a percentage once they meet the

minimum percentage requirements.

>

 

I think there is much that goes unpresented in typical OM school practice

management classes, and I think many new practitioners (and many seasoned

practitioners) lack exposure to truly successful (financially) clinics to use as

models. If we are more successful, we can help more people.

 

Don, its obvious from your posts that you have a booming practice in a location

with generally desireable climate. Certainly you do not have any problems

attracting employees, and it sound like you have a system of rewarding them that

keeps them motivated. Would you mind sharing with the rest of the list a few

tips? Specifically:

 

minimum percentage of WHAT? and what kind of base salary do you pay, and what

are the requirements to receive this base, a minimum hours per week? a minimum

days per week? a minimum number of treatments per week???, other than a

percentage of profits (payed out how often? monthly? quarterly? annually?) are

they rewarded for performing MORE treatments (any tiered per treatment bonus?)?

 

For a thinking point reference, how many practitioners do you have, and how many

total treatments are performed at your clinic per week or per month?

 

Are your acupuncturists responsible for any marketing efforts outside the

clinic? do they have requirements for a minimum number of referrals per week?

 

Since they receive a % of profits, are they given additional opportunities to

effect the profitability of the clinic other than in how they perform their

needling duties?

 

You are one of our very most successful, I hope you can help inspire the rest of

us with your ideas.

 

Mark Zaranski

[Guest guest]

I recall a thread last week that said we were not to discuss salaries and such

on this site. Unless I get the OK to do otherwise, I will honor that. However,

I would be more than happy to discuss this in general terms.

 

 

 

Yes, I love LA and the climate, although San Diegos was much better in some

ways. And I do have problems attracting good acupuncture practitioners but no

problems hiring staff. Many have been with me from the beginning. I'm hoping to

hire another acupuncturist within the next 2 or 3 months.

 

 

 

My overhead at present is around $20,000/mo. (+-). Therefore, I pay the

acupuncturist a base salary and 20% of all collections above $20,000. As for my

staff, they get a bonus at the end of the year on 5% of total collections. They

seem happy. My collections have been between $300,000 and $500,000 per year

(last year was not so good due to trouble with billing dept.) and I expect to

kick productivity up a notch (double, hopefully) this year by hiring another

acupucturist and perhaps opening up two more clinics in this state or another

state by the end of this year. I offer these clinics to select acupuncturist

that show a particular drive and hunger and I staff them and do all marketing

for them to get them started. That being said, I am getting older now and I

would like someone to work with me full time and perhaps take my home clinic

over eventually.

 

 

 

All employees work until the patients leave. Sometimes that is at 8 or 9 PM,

although I'm trying to slow down some. They are also actively involved in

marketing (radio, TV, occasional health fairs, etc.) They do whatever it takes

to have and run a successful business.

 

 

 

I used to hire marketing people to help with practice building, but I learned

through experience that this is a waste of good money. No one will guaranty

their work or outcomes. I feel that since I personally guarantee my outcomes in

clinic, other business people should guarantee their also. If they don't, I

don't use them.

 

 

 

All my staff is trained in my proprietary treatment methodology and their

results are almost as good as my own. If I hire an acupuncturist, they must be

willing to learn my methods (treatment and marketing) or they won't be here

long. If they do, they are paid handsomely.

 

 

It has been my experience on this site and other TCM sites that other

practitioners have not appeared too interested in what I do, therefore I seldom

share with folks. (Sort of like throwing pearls before swine But it's

Friday and my assistants are busy with patients and I have the time and

inclination today.

 

 

 

Well, got to go now. I hope this answered some of your questions.

 

 

 

 

 

I am yours,

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Don J. Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.

 

 

Chinese Medicine

zaranski

Fri, 2 Apr 2010 13:33:08 +0000

Re: Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Snow <don83407 wrote:

>

> My acupuncturists get a base salary, and then a percentage once they meet the

minimum percentage requirements.

>

 

I think there is much that goes unpresented in typical OM school practice

management classes, and I think many new practitioners (and many seasoned

practitioners) lack exposure to truly successful (financially) clinics to use as

models. If we are more successful, we can help more people.

 

Don, its obvious from your posts that you have a booming practice in a location

with generally desireable climate. Certainly you do not have any problems

attracting employees, and it sound like you have a system of rewarding them that

keeps them motivated. Would you mind sharing with the rest of the list a few

tips? Specifically:

 

minimum percentage of WHAT? and what kind of base salary do you pay, and what

are the requirements to receive this base, a minimum hours per week? a minimum

days per week? a minimum number of treatments per week???, other than a

percentage of profits (payed out how often? monthly? quarterly? annually?) are

they rewarded for performing MORE treatments (any tiered per treatment bonus?)?

 

For a thinking point reference, how many practitioners do you have, and how many

total treatments are performed at your clinic per week or per month?

 

Are your acupuncturists responsible for any marketing efforts outside the

clinic? do they have requirements for a minimum number of referrals per week?

 

Since they receive a % of profits, are they given additional opportunities to

effect the profitability of the clinic other than in how they perform their

needling duties?

 

You are one of our very most successful, I hope you can help inspire the rest of

us with your ideas.

 

Mark Zaranski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I will abide by the rules I agreed upon when I joined this site. It is the

right thing to do and I won't be brow beaten into doing otherwise.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

Dr. Don Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

acudoc11

Fri, 2 Apr 2010 11:03:08 -0400

Re: Salary for Office Help and Acupuncture Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

Don

 

Are you going to let the " system " fear mongeres prevent you from discussing

fees & salaries?

 

And WHO might I ask is going to give you the " OK " ?

A ridiculous notion.

Sorry to say....but that is no different than the Swine Flu Scare.

There are those who work for the system who TEST the waters on how much the

people/practitioners in this case can be hoodwinked into believing those

threats.

 

Richard

 

 

 

In a message dated 4/2/2010 10:59:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

don83407 writes:

 

I recall a thread last week that said we were not to discuss salaries and

such on this site. Unless I get the OK to do otherwise, I will honor

that. However, I would be more than happy to discuss this in general terms.

 

Yes, I love LA and the climate, although San Diegos was much better in

some ways. And I do have problems attracting good acupuncture practitioners

but no problems hiring staff. Many have been with me from the beginning.

I'm hoping to hire another acupuncturist within the next 2 or 3 months.

 

My overhead at present is around $20,000/mo. (+-). Therefore, I pay the

acupuncturist a base salary and 20% of all collections above $20,000. As

for my staff, they get a bonus at the end of the year on 5% of total

collections. They seem happy. My collections have been between $300,000 and

$500,000 per year (last year was not so good due to trouble with billing dept.)

and I expect to kick productivity up a notch (double, hopefully) this year

by hiring another acupucturist and perhaps opening up two more clinics in

this state or another state by the end of this year. I offer these clinics

to select acupuncturist that show a particular drive and hunger and I staff

them and do all marketing for them to get them started. That being said,

I am getting older now and I would like someone to work with me full time

and perhaps take my home clinic over eventually.

 

All employees work until the patients leave. Sometimes that is at 8 or 9

PM, although I'm trying to slow down some. They are also actively involved

in marketing (radio, TV, occasional health fairs, etc.) They do whatever

it takes to have and run a successful business.

 

I used to hire marketing people to help with practice building, but I

learned through experience that this is a waste of good money. No one will

guaranty their work or outcomes. I feel that since I personally guarantee my

outcomes in clinic, other business people should guarantee their also. If

they don't, I don't use them.

 

All my staff is trained in my proprietary treatment methodology and their

results are almost as good as my own. If I hire an acupuncturist, they

must be willing to learn my methods (treatment and marketing) or they won't be

here long. If they do, they are paid handsomely.

 

It has been my experience on this site and other TCM sites that other

practitioners have not appeared too interested in what I do, therefore I seldom

share with folks. (Sort of like throwing pearls before swine But it's

Friday and my assistants are busy with patients and I have the time and

inclination today.

 

Well, got to go now. I hope this answered some of your questions.

 

I am yours,

 

Sincerely,

 

Don J. Snow, DAOM, MPH, L.Ac.