Did you know that approximately 28% of people rarely take time off work? As a chiropractor, time off may seem like a luxury out of reach.
Smaller practices might have difficulty finding coverage and not have an associate doctor to take over while the owner is away. The solution? Locum chiropractors can provide much-needed time off for injuries, vacations, or continuing education.
If you haven’t heard of a locum doctor, we are here to tell you more about it. Our complete guide will review what a locum chiropractor is, how you can benefit from one, and how to maximize your time off this year. Keep reading for more information!
What Is a Locum Chiropractor?
In short, a locum is a temporary doctor. In this case, a qualified chiropractor can stand in as a chiropractic coverage doctor for extended time off. A locum chiropractor is ideal for clinics unable to shut down for a week or two or those looking at bringing in an extra set of hands for a short period.
A locum chiropractor does not need to work directly for your practice. You should have to worry about sourcing, vetting, and negotiating. The best way to hire a locum is through an agency like Chiro Match Makers.
Locum Chiropractor Advantages
Vacations are crucial for rejuvenating and taking time away from your practice. One of the advantages of bringing a locum into your practice is to take extended leave. For many chiropractors who work for small practices, it becomes impossible to take time off. And without time off, burnout can happen.
Additionally, emergent family situations may pull you away from the office. Rather than losing revenue and limiting patient care, a chiropractic coverage doctor can step in your place for a specified period and help your practice remain open and profitable.
The other advantage of temporarily hiring a trained chiropractor is for busy seasons. The job outlook for chiropractors is expected to increase by nearly 10% between 2021 and 2031 due to demand.
You might find your clinic overwhelmed by seasonal demand, or you may need a bridge solution as you hire your next chiropractic associate. Locum chiropractors can help in both of these situations.
Locum Chiropractor Disadvantages
The primary disadvantage of hiring a temporary chiropractor is continuity of care. Each chiropractor might have a different style or interventions they prefer.
However, this disadvantage is mitigated by selecting highly qualified and versatile chiropractors through staffing advantages. They can help match you to chiropractors who fit your clinic’s needs. Other benefits of chiropractor staffing agencies are they we take care of:
- sourcing great candidates that match your practice approach
- vetting the candidates
- negotiation on payment
You may also be unaware that locum chiropractors can save your clinic money long-term if appropriately used.
The bottom line is that time out of your practice is lost revenue. Additionally, you interrupt your patient care. Locum chiropractors can help you remain profitable and keep your patients progressing through their care plans uninterrupted.
Finding a Locum Chiropractor
To save time and money, you need an agency specialized in helping you find a locum chiropractor. Keep in mind some of the top reasons you may need a locum doctor in the future could include:
- Vacations
- Seminars
- Continuing education courses
- Maternity leave
- Unexpected emergencies
Chiro Match Makers has simplified the process in three easy steps. First, you will speak to a locum specialist who can explain how the process works. Next, our team will get to work for you to find the best locum for your practice.
Then you can take your leave of absence and not have to stress about your business. Since we specialize in chiropractic staffing, you can rest easy knowing that we only find coverage from highly skilled chiropractors who can accommodate your practice’s unique needs, approach, and culture.
Hiring Locum Doctor vs. New Chiropractic Associate
You may debate whether you want to scale your business with a new chiropractic associate or use a locum doctor to bridge the gap.
Hiring a full or part-time chiropractic associate can scale your business and help you double the number of patients you see. They may also absorb some of your caseload if you go on leave. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the market for associates is highly competitive, and finding the right fit will take some time.
Using a locum doctor as a bridge solution is an easy, affordable, and quick way to experience the benefits of an associate.
Locum chiropractors are ideal, on-the-go professionals who are versatile and knowledgeable. Rather than wasting time and money trying to source, vet, interview, and negotiate on your own, let us do the heavy lifting for you.
At Chiro Match Makers, we specialize in temporary staffing chiropractors nationwide. To get started, contact us today!
Chiro Match Makers has the process of hiring DC’s and CA’s down to a science. Here are 4 ways we can help you today!
1. Download our coveted DC Interview Guide before your next interview
This is the most critical hire you will ever make in your practice. Most of us have only learned how to interview from our own past experiences and our gut. Our template provides you with unique questions and a systematic way to help ensure you find the right person for the job you have available. Download a copy here.
2. Download CA Hiring Success Roadmap
Building your A+ team is the difference between having the ability to scale or not. If done right, it can be a path to freedom and increased profit. If done wrong, it can be one of the most-costly mistakes you ever make. Go here to get your copy of the CA Hiring Success Roadmap.
3. Explore the best way to leverage a Locum in your practice.
Grab a copy of our Benefits to Hiring a Locum Guide that will be the best time you’ve spent in buying back your time freedom.
4. Connect with us!
If you’d like to connect with us for a brainstorming session just click here to access our schedule link and find a time that’s best for you. We’d love to learn more about your practice and help you reach your goals!
