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Hospital LMT
I hear that a hospital with an integrative medicine center is hiring contingent MTs for afternoon/evening shifts three days a week. Commission is 70% for the first month as MT builds clientele, 60% the second month and then 50% the third month once and thereafter. It seems the MT will have to work harder not smarter after three months. Comments welcome.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on
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It sounds like they are using massage therapy as an additional profit center for their integrative health work. Lots to think about before committing. Will you be a commissioned employee or independent contractor? Are they offering any benefits? Other than paying you commission, do they provide a referral service for patients? Linens? Other MT supplies? Will they be advertising your services? Also, tips are rarely exchanged in a medical setting, be sure to factor this into your financial analysis.
Do you think many patients will return to the hospital after their medical treatments are complete? Does your contract have a non-solicitation clause? You might do better offering your services to the overworked hospital staff, more likely to come back on a regular basis.
What type of massage work are they expecting? Relaxing massage? Clinical/medical massage prescribed by a medical professional? Do you and the patient control the length of the massage sessions or does the center limit sessions to 15, 30 or 60 min? Are massage treatments reimbursed through insurance? Hospital staff work under very strict legal rules and guidelines. Will you be trained in these medical protocols?
The commission is fair if they fully support the work and keep you busy. It could be a great experience working in this medical environment. Why not give it a try, and find out if the work appeals to you. Since it is a new program, the center may be open to suggestions from the MTs on how to improve and build the massage business.
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Permalink Reply by Maryshka on
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As it is, the Center is more spa-like wanting to get the massage therapy services profitable. Some of the going rates are higher end. The MTs are 'contingent', not IC. Not really clear on what contingent means. Appts are scheduled and paid through receptionist. MTs may sometimes need to handle the front desk with a client on occasion. 100% commission, no hourly. MTs needs to be proactive, required to go out into the hospital to market oneself, e.g. chair massage at nurses station. Marketing 'materials' brochures/biz cards/hospital newsletter notices are provided for by the Center. Offers various session times (e.g. 30m, 45m, 1h,1.5h, 2h) and prices for Swedish/relaxation massage, myofascial and NMT techniques/deep tissue, hot stone, CST, reflexology, prenatal massage (myofascial/NMT/Swedish), seated massage, and punch-cards for multiple visits.
Going into fall and winter might be busier. Staff wouldn't have to traipse outdoors, get into their vehicles, drive to an outside facility for a massage and come back to work necessarily.
Doesn't seem to be medical massage oriented per se, it's primarily for massage, not truly integrative medicine with a full medical staff/team. Acupuncturist working towards credentialing.
Opened 2013 so still a new office in the hospital. Client base potential is huge if MT considers just the hospital staff alone and any of the daily employees who run the concessions (cafeteria/gift store, etc.) and hospital volunteers.
Will talk to someone and get more clear on objectives.
Appreciate your reply.
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Not sure what you meant by "Does your contract have a non-solicitation clause?" Is that a non-compete?
Haven't seen any paperwork/contracts. Manager said there's been turnaround lately. Due to MTs needing to market themselves with no extra pay for non-massage work/duty was my guess.
Laurie said:It sounds like they are using massage therapy as an additional profit center for their integrative health work. Lots to think about before committing. Will you be a commissioned employee or independent contractor? Are they offering any benefits? Other than paying you commission, do they provide a referral service for patients? Linens? Other MT supplies? Will they be advertising your services? Also, tips are rarely exchanged in a medical setting, be sure to factor this into your financial analysis.
Do you think many patients will return to the hospital after their medical treatments are complete? Does your contract have a non-solicitation clause? You might do better offering your services to the overworked hospital staff, more likely to come back on a regular basis.
What type of massage work are they expecting? Relaxing massage? Clinical/medical massage prescribed by a medical professional? Do you and the patient control the length of the massage sessions or does the center limit sessions to 15, 30 or 60 min? Are massage treatments reimbursed through insurance? Hospital staff work under very strict legal rules and guidelines. Will you be trained in these medical protocols?
The commission is fair if they fully support the work and keep you busy. It could be a great experience working in this medical environment. Why not give it a try, and find out if the work appeals to you. Since it is a new program, the center may be open to suggestions from the MTs on how to improve and build the massage business.
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Permalink Reply by Neal Lyons on
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Our profession inherently has a sales component to it. If you want to work for yourself, you will have to build your own book of business. This also goes for those who want to maximize their salaries / commissions. Otherwise, there are always places that pay us a fixed rate and handle everything else. Depends on what your goals are
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