Chiropractic Specialist/Chiropractic Technician

  • Chiropractic Specialist/Chiropractic Technician

Work Activities/Work Locations

  • Chiropractic Specialists work as assistants to Doctors of Chiropractic. Chiropractic is the largest natural health profession in the United States and is based on the scientific fact that most health problems are linked directly to problems of the muscular, nervous and skeletal systems as well as lifestyle choices.
  • Chiropractic Specialists have completed an Associate Degree program including coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, Chiropractic Philosophy, Therapeutic Modalities, Therapeutic exercise, Radiography, and Office Management.
  • Chiropractic Specialists complete a variety of tasks delegated by a chiropractor including measuring vital signs, taking case histories, taking x-rays, applying therapies, insurance/patient billing and office management.
  • Chiropractic Specialists work in single Doctor practices, multi-Doctor practices, hospitals and other large health delivery organizations.
  • They assist Chiropractors in communicating lifestyle and treatment recommendations.
  • They also may take a salaried position with an established Chiropractor, a group practice, or a healthcare facility.
  • This occupation is equivalent to an Associate Degree Chiropractic Technologist graduate.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Employment outlook for Chiropractic Specialists by the U.S. Department of Labor projects job growth of 28% in the next 10 years.
  • Associate Degree Chiropractic Specialist/Chiropractic Technician programs are rigorous.
  • Since there are so few programs in the US and tremendous demand for professionally trained staff, job opportunities are abundant throughout the country.
  • Work is typically fast paced and requires good communication and people skills.

 Education: 2 Years

 Patient Interaction: Low

 Physical Activity: Low

 Salary: $32,900

 Job Growth: High

 

Related Careers

Chiropractor


Cardiovascular Technologist (CT/CVT)


Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET)/Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)


Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician (CLT/MLT)


 

Getting Started

  • Students are encouraged to take algebra, health, biology, art and English as well as the social sciences.
  • Contact an Associate Degree program and job shadow an Associate Degree Chiropractic Specialist or Chiropractic Technologist.
  • Moraine Park Technical College (West Bend WI campus) has a 66 credit program over 4 semesters including anatomy, therapeutic exercise, chiropractic philosophy, nutrition, Therapeutic modalities, x-ray physics and positioning, insurance, office management.
  • Palmer College of Chiropractic (Davenport IA) has an associate degree in Chiropractic Technology.
  • The State of Wisconsin requires staff to get certified as Chiropractic Technicians to be delegated tasks involving patient care. This is a minimal standard that can be attained with as little as 3 hours of training.
  • Chiropractic Specialists typically get certified in WI as Chiropractic Technicians before internship assignments that involve patient care.

Educational Institutions

Herzing University – Brookfield
Moraine Park Technical College – West Bend
Palmer College of Chiropractic

  • An Associate Degree is required from an accredited college or technical school.
  • The Associate Degree program is a 2-year or 4 semester program consisting of 66-70 credits.
  • Courses include lecture and lab components. Clinical internships are incorporated in the curriculum.

American Chiropractic Association
1701 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA, 22209
703/276-8800
www.acatoday.org/

American Chiropractic Association Rehabilitation Council
11600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 412
Los Angeles, CA, 90002
310/339-0442
www.ccptr.org/

American Chiropractic Registry of Radiologic Technologists
52 W. Colfax Street
Palatine, IL, 60067
847/705-1178
www.acrrt.com/

American Chiropractic Sports Council
1720 S. Bellaire St., Suite 406
Denver, CO, 80222
303/758-1100
www.acasc.org/

Association of Chiropractic Colleges
4424 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 202
Bethesda, MD, 20814
800/284-1062
www.chirocolleges.org/

Council on Chiropractic Education
8049 N. 85th Way
Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321
480/443-8877 or 888/443-3506
www.cce-usa.org

Dynamic Chiropractic
PO Box 28990
Santa Ana, CA, 92799
714/230-3150
www.chiroweb.com

Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards
5401 W. 10th St., Suite 101
Greeley, CO, 80634-4400
970/356-3500
www.fclb.org

International Chiropractors Association
6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 800
Falls Church, VA, 22042
703/528-5000 or 800/423-4690
www.chiropractic.org

Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
521 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI, 53703
608/256-7023
www.wisconsinchiropractic.com

World Chiropractic Alliance
2950 North Dobson Road, Suite 1
Chandler, AZ, 85224
www.worldchiropracticalliance.org

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 591,300
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 730,200
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 24%
Expected Annual Openings: 26,210
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $32,900

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.

  • Work week is typically 36-40 hours per week.
  • Most positions allow for .5 to 1 weekday off per week.
  • Weekend hours are limited.
  • With experience graduates are positioned to supervise office staff &/or become office managers.
  • Some will advance to insurance billing positions.
  • Some add Massage Therapy to their degrees.