Why We Love It
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$31,910Potential Avg. Salary
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23.5%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Don't Take Work HomeCareer Attribute
The chiropractic assistant is vital for the smooth operation of a chiropractor’s office. This role includes managing patients effectively and maintaining office administration tasks like manning the telephone, billing insurance companies and taking care of finances.
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What is a Chiropractic Assistant?
Duties
Chiropractic assistants specialise in a wide range of important tasks to support the chiropractor, such as those listed below:
- Responsible for running orientations for new patients and addressing any issues faced by them.
- Work alongside the office manager to maintain filling and insurance claims or other deliverables from patients.
- Assist the chiropractor when he works on patients by setting up the exam room and taking the patient’s blood pressure, weight or x-rays.
- Excel at customer care with a positive and helpful attitude, as the first person that patients deal with.
Day In The Life
In this job, you will have various tasks on your schedule on a day-to-day basis. Since you are often the first person interacting with a patient at the chiropractor’s office, you will often speak over the phone answering questions about which days the doctor is in and what problems can be treated or diagnosed. Answering these questions efficiently is important to maintain the flow of patients and build trust in the treatments offered. In person, you will work with patients so they finish all paperwork before their appointment and address any of their concerns before they see the doctor.
Office tasks are also a big part of the day for chiropractic assistants working at an office setting. You are responsible for keeping the office facility running without any glitches. Whether it is taking care of the supplies in the office or tracking appointment, billing transactions or medical history, you will be the person the doctor depends on for all operational demands. In addition, many chiropractic assistants will work in the examination room alongside the doctor. You would be taking notes on the patient, handing medical equipment over to the doctor and analyzing test results when needed.
Work Schedule And Typical Hours
The hours of work in this employment sector is based on the schedules at the chiropractor’s office. Some might work on weekdays and alternate Saturdays or evenings, while others work part-time. Chiropractic assistants typically work in private practice offices where they take on office organisation and administrative duties, while attending to patients. Applicants must be comfortable with working on their feet, handle items weighing up to 10 kilograms and perform frequent bending and stair climbing.
Growth Of The Job
Professionals in this industry can expect a growth rate of 29% between 2012-2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate of employment will be much faster than the national average for other related occupations. It is predicted that medical assistants such as those in these positions will be in high demand due to an aging population and increased awareness of treatment for neuromuscular and mechanical disorders. There’s also a favorable market for chiropractic assistants, due to evolving healthcare services.
Typical Employers
Employment can be found with private practices or larger chiropractic offices. You can expect employment from companies such as: Allasso Chiropractic, Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic, Action Chiropractic & Wellness, Flow Chiropractic & Family Wellness Center, Bloomingdale Chiropractic, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Zock Family Chiropractic and so on.
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How To Become a Chiropractic Assistant
Chiropractic assistants should have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to find employment in this employment sector. Previous experience in a healthcare or medical environment and a good words-per-minute typing speed also helps to excel with potential roles. Getting a certification as a chiropractic assistant will help you capitalize on better job opportunities in the market.
Many institutions now offer post secondary education programs at the certificate and associate degree level for chiropractic assistant positions, where students specialize in office management, medical terminology, business, physiology, anatomy, chiropractic history, anatomy and recording vital signs. As with every other position, employers view you as a more viable candidate based on how specialized your educational background is.
To provide quality patient care and keep an office afloat, aspiring candidates should cultivate a mature attitude towards healthcare and be able to deal with multiple tasks at once. Having a nurturing and professional attitude will also help with building confidence in patients who are experiencing discomfort and varying levels of pain. Intelligence and a good understanding of medical concepts is a necessary ingredient towards good performance, since you must answer patient questions with ease.
Chiropractic Assistant Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$26,080Average
$31,910High Range
$43,880National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$13/hrAverage
$15/hrHigh Range
$21/hrHow do Chiropractic Assistant salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Chiropractic Assistant's can make an average annual salary of $31,910, or $15 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $26,080 or $13 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#669 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Chiropractic Assistants
- 0.8% Doctorate
- 1.2% Masters
- 7.7% Bachelors
- 22.3% Associates
- 42.7% College
- 22.5% High School
- 2.7% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
591,3002024 Est. Jobs
730,200Job Growth Rate
23.5%Est. New Jobs
138,900How does Chiropractic Assistant job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 138,900 jobs for a total of 730,200 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 23.5% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#34 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Chiropractic Assistants
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of physicians | 351,300 | 79,200 | 79% |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 67,900 | 4,800 | 5% |
| Offices of chiropractors | 25,200 | 4,600 | 5% |
