Massage Jobs – Working for chiropractors
August 4, 2009 by Julie Onofrio
Filed under Find a Massage Job
Working for chiropractors is often challenging but if you like doing injury work and seeing a lot of clients who were in car accidents and who are in pain from sitting too much on the computer, a massage job in a chiropractors office could be what you are looking for. Massage and chiropractic work can be very complimentary. Massage loosens the tight muscles to help get better adjustments and help the adjustments hold longer.
Here are some of things to consider:
- May be shorter 1/2 hour or even 15 minute sessions – can you work quickly and efficiently?
- Work with chiropractor on each case or some difficult cases. You could learn a lot from the right chiropractor. It could also cause issues if the chiropractor is too controlling and doesn’t understand the full impact that massage has and what massage can do.
- Must be efficient in taking chart notes and writing reports for insurance companies. Charting will be what can make or break a case especially one that goes to court or arbitration/mediation. SOAP notes is the most common form. Learn how to chart quickly and accurately. Read the information on SOAP notes and functional outcomes at www.thebodyworker.com
- Most work as an independent contractor which can be very confusing to figure out. As a contractor you should be able to come and go and set your own hours but it is often not the case. It is up to the chiropractor (employer) to figure out the correct status as they will be paying for the fines if found to be using independent contractors illegally.
- You will be working with conditions like whiplash, head injuries, broken bones and strains/sprains from car accidents. Get more training in handling these conditions if needed.
- Learn about billing insurance companies even though you most likely won’t have to bill yourself. Chiropractors seem to be notorious for charging high amounts for sessions done and then turning around and not paying the massage therapist their fair share keeping a higher percentage of the fees for themselves. While I am all for businesses making money, a massage employee will be much happier and stay longer when paid a decent salary so that they can make a living. You should be able to make $35-$50 an hour depending on what the chiropractor charges for your services. If you are doing heat/cold packs they can sometimes add charges for that. The real problems happen when the client comes in with an insurance case and then later becomes a cash client. Trying to explain a very large difference in price can be difficult
- Get it all in writing. Create a employment or subcontractor agreement and write down as many details as you can. For more on employment contracts see the main site www.thebodyworker.com
Any other suggestions or ideas?
Related posts:
I had a fairly successful employment with a chiropractor. I wrote about it at http://www.male-massage-therapist.com/hans-albert-quistorff-lmp-massage-therapist-in-wauna-wa.html
Working as an employee was advantages because I learned all aspects of the business and developed skills that I now do for him one day a week as an independent contractor on an hourly basis. I proved to be very good at measuring ROM and translating it to a customized report of progress. This is a very important aspect if you take motor vehicle insurance cases in your personal practice.
http://hansmassage.blogspot.com/index.html
I worked in a DC/MD office for 14 years. I finally left after the docs were scheduling patients who frequently missed their appointments and also were charging office visit fees when the patients only received massage. The DC was ethical in that he didn’t over treat patients but was unresponsive to any complaints by MTs.
It is important to really “vet” the chiro before agreeing to work. There are some who will work over the MT, promising everything, and expecting work for slave wages.
Look before you leap – is the best advice.