Hiring an associate chiropractor can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a chiropractic practice owner, or it could be a nightmare. Knowing when your practice is ready for an associate and how to vet candidates properly is essential.
Developing a clear job description, conducting thorough interviews, and onboarding new associates are all keys to success. A good practice coach can help you through it all.
Know What You Want
The motive for hiring chiropractic consultants can range from improving patient satisfaction and retention to growing new business. In many cases, the best choice is to have your associate chiropractor perform clearly defined and measurable tasks that you can objectively measure the results of.
Often, chiropractors are hired to perform front desk duties and provide primary patient education. However, many chiropractors want to increase revenue through specialized procedures like skeletal manipulation and soft tissue massage.
Before hiring a chiropractic associate, it’s essential to define what role you want them to play in your practice. Ensure you write a clear job description listing all the day-to-day and long-term responsibilities.
During the interview process, assess their communication skills and treatment philosophy to ensure they align with your existing team and practice culture. This will help prevent future problems. It’s also important to consider if you want your chiropractic consultant to be a mentor, and if so, what kind of mentoring would you prefer.
Know Who You Want
A good chiropractic consultant will have a strong understanding of the business side of your practice, which includes marketing and staffing. They will be able to give you valuable insights and advice to help you grow your business.
In addition to having a solid grasp of the chiropractic practice business, your ideal candidate should share your practice culture and vision. Your relationship with them will be strained if they don’t have a similar worldview.
For example, you don’t want to be pushed to implement scripts or procedures that run roughshod over patient free will. This type of guidance may be well intended, but it will eventually reduce referrals and reactivation rates.
Ask for referrals from trusted colleagues and friends to find a great chiropractic consultant. Using a specialized job board that focuses on the chiropractic industry also helps filter out applications from candidates that don’t fit your needs. Additionally, many of these sites provide in-depth profiles of the candidates, including education, work experience, certifications/licenses held, and treatment philosophies practiced.
Know What You Can’t Have
Having a successful chiropractic practice requires expert guidance from mentors that amplifies clinical skills and business acumen. This can be as simple as a few coaching sessions or as involved as an entire management program.
When you’re ready to hire a new associate, it’s essential to consider what kind of consultant would be best for your clinic. You don’t want to end up with an associate who undermines your practice’s standards or ethical protocols. A good coach should have a worldview that aligns with yours.
Additionally, you don’t want an associate who will use the insurance company as a crutch to get paid. A chiropractor with this mindset will be unwilling to go through the necessary steps for an L&I consultation exam, which can create headaches for you and your staff.
Know What You Can’t Pay
Chiropractors have spawned a parasitic industry of consultants, coaches, and advisors. Whether it’s because they fear being perceived as mere trade schools or because they confront mainstream notions of health care, they’re out there hawking their wisdom.
A good chiropractic consultant can help you find the right staff, get onboarded quickly and efficiently, and develop a successful plan for your practice’s future. They can also guide efficient operations, scheduling, and practice management systems.
If a chiropractor encourages you to finance the contracted number of visits with a credit company and then makes it difficult to cancel those payments, consider firing them. It’s not fair to you and not suitable for the chiropractor, either.
You can also use a telehealth software provider that offers budget-friendly solutions like financing for your patients to avoid credit companies. This saves you time and money while increasing your client acquisition efforts.
