May 26, 2011 — Allied Health Institute (AHI), an accredited postsecondary school, launched a 16-month Chiropractic Technologist Associate of Science Degree program.
The program is designed to meet a growing need for chiropractic technologists (CT) nationwide. Because employment of chiropractors is expected to increase 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, similar growth is expected in terms of need for CTs.6
“A chiropractic technologist is a paraprofessional serving the chiropractic profession in the capacity of an assistant in the chiropractic office,” said Marvin Merritt who developed the program for Allied Health Institute. “The chiropractic technologist could assist in case histories, preliminary portions of the examination, the application of modalities and therapies and the taking and developing of x-rays all under the direct supervision of the attending chiropractic physician.”
The CT program provides students with professional training in the field of alternative medicine, focusing on chiropractic. Students are introduced to chiropractic philosophy and principles, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and are provided with an in-depth study of radiologic science.
“Chiropractic is the third largest healing art next to allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Whereas MDs and DOs utilize the support skills of the medical assistant in their offices, the DCs will utilize the specific skill set of the chiropractic technologist,” said Merritt. “There is an ongoing push by the insurance industry to require all personnel that come in contact with patients in regards to treatment to be certified and has some type of state licensure in order for the provider to receive reimbursement for services rendered. A certified chiropractic technologist would fulfill this requirement.”
The coursework for this program is conducted online and also includes a facility-based clinical training requirement, which provides the student with a hands-on learning experience.
Among the duties performed by the CT include assisting patients with paperwork, examination preliminaries such as height and weight, blood pressure, pulse and respiration and an initial spinal screening.
In addition, the CT may be called upon to take and develop X-rays and apply therapies all under the direct supervision of the attending chiropractor.
Source: Allied Health Institute, www.alliedhealthinstitute.edu
