Chiropractic assistants work alongside chiropractors, performing a variety of tasks such as scheduling, patient education, and maintaining clean exam rooms. They must be able to work well in a team, have basic medical knowledge, and good interpersonal skills. On-the-job training is common, and promotions are rare. Applicants should apply directly to chiropractic offices or through employment agencies.
The primary role of a chiropractic assistant is to assist a chiropractor with his or her day-to-day duties. Most chiropractors employ a couple of assistants at one time. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a chiropractic assistant to work alongside other assistants on a daily basis. Therefore, those individuals seeking chiropractic assistant work should be willing to work as part of a larger team.
In fact, teamwork is a big part of this job position. Additionally, an assistant might be asked to greet patients, juggle scheduling, handle claims, educate patients, and help with certain procedures. Commonly, assistants are asked to keep waiting rooms and exam rooms clean, which may require some maintenance skills. At times, a chiropractic assistant may also be responsible for administering physical therapy techniques, although this is not always the case.
Since most chiropractic offices have only one licensed chiropractor, an assistant must be prepared to take on a variety of roles. Often, these roles include medical applications and sometimes assistants may be required to perform basic managerial duties. A successful assistant is one who is well versed in computer programs, filing technicalities, medical records, and customer service.
Those who aspire to become assistants in a chiropractic office do not need any kind of formal education. While most employers often look for high school graduates, most assistant training is on-the-job training. That said, basic medical knowledge is a definite asset, as most employers will require some type of medical assistance at some point.
There is little room for progress in this area. Promotions are rare, although some assistants may be rewarded with a salary increase or the ability to obtain additional information related to the chiropractic trade. Assistants tend to work Monday to Friday, although some offices may be open on weekends.
The best way to obtain a chiropractic assistant position is to apply directly to a chiropractic office. Alternatively, positions in this field can be acquired through a high school employment agency or through an online employment website. In addition to having excellent interpersonal skills, assistants must also have basic math skills, analytical skills and the ability to learn quickly.
Assistants must be reliable to secure a well-paying position in the field of chiropractic. Recent graduates can start a career in this field by obtaining an internship position. Even though there is a large number of applicants for assistant positions, only those who live up to the standards mentioned above will gain employment.
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