Above average OD compensation with high volume patient load
Pros
Optometrists are salaried employees. Benefit packages include vacation, PTO, 401(k), stable paycheck, healthcare benefits, continuing education; competing companies rarely offer these . A good stable career if you can handle the pace at busier stores. Compensation is usually higher than the competition but patient volume may account for that (see "Cons"). Each district has an "Area OD" who is available for mentoring and administrative purposes (work schedule). Pre-testing and ancillary testing is done via optometric technicians. Most staff members are cross-trained in reception, pre-testing and sales. A good chance to build your own "practice" if you stay long term in one location. Mostly primary care and refractive cases; ODs may see a lot of pathology if patients do not visit a PCP regularly. CEO and Regional Vice Presidents are very approachable. Great relationships via networking with the other optometrists in the company.
Cons
Busy season can be challenging with increased patient volumes. Hard to achieve "sales goals" which include exam goal count. A good percentage of patients may not speak English so being bilingual is a plus. Management and OD may clash over certain issues (each store location has a different story). High turnover rate for upper management (district managers). Some district managers and general managers are not very OD-friendly. Very tight payroll for the staff so some locations feel understaffed and staff routinely complain of being underpaid. Once a staff member is fully trained and becomes really good at their position, usually he/she is usually lured away to another company with higher pay. 60 day notice is required for an OD to leave the company.