Podiatry Arena members do not see these ads

Hi everyone,
I would appreciate some advice in relation to the pay/renumeration I am recieving at one of the locations I am practicing in; being in WA.

I do a day or two of home visits a week. 40% is the renumeration. Use the practice equipment and I sterilise the equipement when I get back to the practice at the end of the day.

I have been feeing that the cost of being on the road; safety/health wise and literal cost wise (petrol/car maintenace). The impact of my own health and safety in peoples homes; as I have begun to develop bad lower back and neck pain after starting this position and finally the time it takes to travel between clients and settle before starting routine tx.

Prices/medicare $65 and private patients $80. I see between 7-10 patients in a day. But let me tell you its a longggg and draining day!

I know at the other practice I work in a standard of 60% for Home Visits is given due to the costs to myself. I believe 50-60% renumeration for HV would be fair but would appreciate advice.

Tweet

Share

hey Jo jo,

60% is the normal rate for home visits, this covers the cost of fuel etc. You are right , that is the going rate and you should stress this to your employer. If they will not cover the increase, be prepared to stand up for your worth. you spend 4 years at uni and deserve your share!


in regards to your back troubles.
Its all in the set a . get a good sturdy toolbox to sit on and for ur equipment and get yourself a foot stool from ur supplier ($120). and work on looking after your back.

cheers
Bren

I agree, 60% is around the right rate.

If you agreed to 40% at the start of your employment then its time to re-negotiate a better fairer deal, including a foot stool.

We have an award in the rest of Australia and whilst it is not in over in WA it can be used as a guide on what is deemed to be reasonable.
http://www.fwa.gov.au/documents/mode...27/default.htm

The award includes travel reimbursement. If you have an award yourself you should look into this. I would also look into if you are supposed to be a contractor or an employee.

I do have to say that paying 60% would not cover expenses for your employer, if they are providing any service. A good clinic cost a lot to run, one that is poor on services provided is not as expensive and harder to work in.
Good luck
Good Luck

Rudy, how do you figure that paying 60% for a home visit would not cover the expenses of the employer ?

Jo jo is providing the car and petrol. Once the home visit kit has been provided, then it just a matter of disposables. For a private patient that would mean $32 for the employer to cover disposables and the rest profit.
I think thats fair.

I do have to say that paying 60% would not cover expenses for your employer, if they are providing any service. A good clinic cost a lot to run, one that is poor on services provided is not as expensive and harder to work in.

As I say a good clinic is expensive to run. If there is no services provided they may be able to pay higher percentages. I don't earn 60% working for myself, not even close. But I do want proper support staff to make it a bearable job and a better place for my patients.

Ruby do you provide the car and petrol? ....... just asking

__________________
Duct tape is like The Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

I supply everything, if you check the award now in Aust except WA I think it is about 75c/km. It would be cheaper sending people in a cab. I don't know how anyone employs other people.
I don't know if Jo Jo is being treated fairly. I know there are some ordinary bosses out there but it is not all beer and skittles in business either. I would be better off taking 40% working from someone else than being out on my own. I could run a low service clinic I don't want the frustration. I have employed people before and they all assume I am loaded and taking advantage of them. Often I was earning the same as them and it took more of my time, and all of my patience.
If 40% is a bad wage then I think the work is not sustainable.

All podiatrists should be aware of award rates for their years of experience and their qualifications. It gets tricky when you are a contractor instead of an employee as you dont have the same rights. Have you a written contract?
Things that you need to take in to consideration from the owners position:-
The salary of the receptionist that would be organising the appointments for you.
The instruments and disposables.
Autoclave costing/ upkeep/calibration

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
I am working as a contractor. Its my car and petrol that I use.
I was concerned because; in the other practice I work in I do get 60% which is a percentage which will definately not go up. Also I have noted the cost of putting myself out on the road each day. I value my life (obviously) and it is expensive for the upkeep of my own car.

In terms of taking into account the costs for me;
1. Ive been around when receptionists are confirming my appt and it takes literally about 15 mins- 20 mins to confirm them. I am unsure about the costing of the autoclave/upkeep etc.

I pay 23% of gross to my clinics for administration and billing services.

I pay all my costs for clinical supplies and orthotics, instruments etc. I don't do home visits.

__________________
Graham Curryer

None of us know what we are doing, but some of us know more about what we are not doing than others!::

Hey Jo Jo,

40% for the day you are doing is definitely not worth it..If you are seeing 10 patients for the day at an average of $70/patient, 40% only works out to $280... I think 60% is a reasonable figure though..

If your employer wont negotiate i am sure you could find a day or 2 of work in a private practice. In Adelaide I know the average recommended hourly rate is $47/hr for someone with over 3 yrs experience. Not sure what it is for someone with less than 3 yrs, but im sure it equates to atleast $280/day... Stuff driving around in your car all day, hurting your back when you could be getting 280/day in a clinic..

hope it all works out..

I think you are being ripped off.........60% would be a reasonable figure.
Ask for a pay rise or leave. There is plenty of work out there.
Good luck.