Massage Practice Settings

Practice Settings - home office - office in building - room in prof. office - on-site or outcalls - salon, day spa - fitness center / gym - hospice - medical office Group Practice Private Practice - health clinic - wellness center - medical clinic - specialty clinic

Private Practice

Independent Contractors - separate business operating under another business - rent based on flat rate or percentage of services - consult with attorney and financial advisor - IRS requirements to qualify

Key Aspects of Private Practice  Autonomy - flexibility - maintain control (when,where, how) - professional isolation  Safety - outcalls/environment/referrals - prevention

Key Aspects of Private Practice  Finances - carefully manage cash flow - planning (quarterly taxes, marketing, insurance, etc) - awareness of tax deductions  Benefits - no paid vacations, sick days, etc.

Success Tips for Private Practice -Minimize isolation: network /attend conferences - Keep good records - Focus upon marketing - Develop clear policies - Schedule efficiently/arrange time off - Take safety precautions - Hire others to do time-consuming tasks (accounting)

Salons and Day Spas -Often rent rooms to therapists -Who provides supplies? -Personal or shared treatment room -Insulation from other sounds/odors? -Fee-splitting allowed - Marketing required - brochures, demos, gift certificates

Working in Salons/Spas - Display business cards and brochures on display - Set clear cancellation policies - Give staff massages - Consider location of treatment room - Follow-up calls / birthday cards to clients - Maintain accurate records and files - Use down-time wisely

Fitness Centers and Health Clubs - Display business card and brochure at front desk - Offer free demos and classes - Network with trainers, dietitians - Educate staff on how your services may help clients - Utilize comprehensive intake form - Take classes / exercise at facility Fitness centers often have highly motivated clientele. Good place to gain experience and to work with a variety of sports injuries

Celebrities / Athletes - Get legal advice about employment contract - Clarify what is expected of you - Clarity how travel expenses, lodging, meals are paid - Maintain good communication and boundaries Celebrity patrons of an establishment may offer you a job. These jobs are glamorous but are demanding. You may be required to travel and cater the celebrity or athlete.

Corporate Wellness Programs - Local chapter of Wellness Council - Contact local businesses - Chair massage experience - Network at health fairs - Arrange to be paid hourly - Get advice from others (non-competing) therapists Each dollar spent on employee wellness returns three in productivity! Wellness initiatives create a healthy and happy productive staff. May include chair massage, fitness classes, smoking cessation, nutrition, yoga, etc... Flex benefits may cover wellness services and classes.

Hospice - Allow ample time for record keeping - Keep detailed, accurate records - Know contraindications - Gentle touch therapy is effective in easing pain - Be prepared to adapt to unexpected schedule changes Terminal or incurable illnesses population Usually paid a flat rate fee Can be emotionally demanding May need to adapt treatment (working with client in bed)

On-Site and Outcalls - Safety: communicate with someone avoid late-night apppointments - Set a price to reflect travel time - Schedule wisely (group massages in same location) - Establish boundaries (eg. lateness of client) Advantages: low overhead convenient for the client Disadvantages: Must carry equipment Extra time Uncontrollable distractions

Primary Care Provider Office - Give free demonstrations - If paying per session, negotiate a monthly payment limit - Be clear on your role - Market yourself to current patients Therapist usually pays a flat or per session (safety net) Advantages: share marketing expenses good source of referrals sense of community Disadvantages: may need to sign a restrictive covenant agreement PCP may not refer anyone

Group Practice

camraderie Brainstorming tx. variety of services professional image extensive office resources cost-effective Benefits:Considerations: delayed payment (insurance) complex financial arrangements create clear written agreements

Group Practice Holistic Health Care Clinics Offer a variety of services – chiro., acupuncture, massage Specialty Clinics Focus upon a single specialty Medical Clinics Sports medicine, Physical therapy clinics Formed as an association of partnership Practitioners can operate as separate businesses but work together and share office space, rent, maintenance expenses.

Aspects of Group Practice 1. Self-Assessment Clarify reasons for wanting an associate Similar or different work than you? How do you want to share and divide space? How much control do you need?

Aspects of Group Practice  Interviews Share dreams, goals and concerns Look for commonalities and possible conflicts Compatible personalities?

Aspects of Group Practice 3. Roles, Goals & Expectations Delineate in writing, goals and expectations Create dissolution (buyout) agreement Design full business plan before partnership Clarify financial arrangements

Aspects of Group Practice 4. Legal Status Most group practices are associations Partnership = jointly owned business

Aspects of Group Practice 5. Finances Create a contract - outline each person’s financial obligation Agree on operating budget Hire financial advisor

Aspects of Group Practice 6. Product Sales Source of additional income Determine method and percentage of reimbursement

Aspects of Group Practice 7. Marketing Shared expenses Develop marketing plan - define goals - define target dates - budget

Aspects of Group Practice 8. Interaction Levels Clarify desired level of interaction - to share expenses only? Hold regular business meetings

Aspects of Group Practice 9. Office Logistics Day to day activities - preparing office for clients - restocking supplies - cleaning - coordinating repairs May need a “policy and procedure” manual - re: phone etiquette,

Aspects of Group Practice 10. Scheduling Clients Create client scheduling policy Who gets the next yellow page referral?