DC to DC: Keys to working with and developing a chiropractic intern, Part I

 

Those mentoring a chiropractic intern as a means to give back or teach may be looking for soft skills such as a willingness to learn, an ability to follow instruction, strong and effective communication …

Interns: they need you, and you can always share your expertise while utilizing an extra hand, right? But how do chiropractors handle that relationship with a chiropractic intern so that both get what you want and need?

Thomas Tozer, DC, and Robyn Tozer, clinic director, are co-owners of Imperium Chiropractic, a chiropractic group located in northern Wisconsin, and answered our questions on finding and developing a chiropractic intern for chiropractic offices.

How can chiropractors go about finding a chiropractic intern or prospective students to work with as interns?

Chiropractic schools require an approval process through their preceptorship programs before working with a chiropractic intern. Often, the student will reach out to the doctor or clinic expressing interest as well as providing details of the preceptorship application process.

Internships are an extension of the chiropractic curriculum. Interns are there to learn, while mentors are there to teach, while keeping in mind that internships are designed to provide a bridge between the academic world into the real world of practice.

Internships can be both paid or unpaid.

Can you explain what interns will or can do in a chiropractic office?

An intern could do many things under the supervision of the preceptor doctor to assist in a chiropractic clinic — from taking X-rays, to performing modalities, soft tissue work, assisting in the development of a treatment plan, performing exams, adjusting, documenting, and learning the functions of a front desk, to name a few.

However, what a chiropractic intern can or cannot do is state specific. It’s important to contact your state examining board to learn the parameters. Additionally, if you accept insurance in your office, you must contact each network to determine whether treatment performed by an intern is allowed.

Most chiropractic schools will provide a well-detailed due diligence plan outlining rules and regulations along with contact information to ensure the intern is working within their scope of practice.

What types of skills should chiropractors look for?

Needed skills depend upon the intention of the relationship. Is the preceptor mentoring as a means to give back to the profession, for the love of teaching, or maybe looking to fill a position within the clinic?

Those mentoring a chiropractic intern as a means to give back or teach may be looking for soft skills such as a willingness to learn, an ability to follow instruction, strong and effective communication, and an ability to honor commitments.

Those mentoring with the intention of creating a long-term relationship may focus more on hard skills such as an adjusting technique that blends well to the practice, treatment approach, and adherence to internal systems and processes and procedures.

Read Part II to find out the keys to developing interns, the biggest mistakes you can make when hiring/working with an intern and more.