William E. Morgan, D.C.

Students frequently ask me, "How should I plan my career to obtain a position at an integrated health center?" In the past, obtaining a position in an integrated center was based on networking, collegiality and being in the right place at the right time. To succeed in the future in integrated healthcare, chiropractors should have career plans that develop particular skills, experience and knowledge.

Most chiropractors graduate from college and go straight in to practice without a career plan, other than a business plan. [The exception to this rule is found in the chiropractic academic community, where promotions and pay raises are linked to clearly defined milestone accomplishments.] This is far different from how our medical colleagues treat their careers. Most medical students are busy planning where they will perform their internship, which residency they will attend; they may even be planning fellowships, advanced degrees and research. They are mapping out a lifetime of learning and development.

As chiropractors, we would do well to adopt a lifelong plan of growth and development. To borrow from Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , "begin with the end in mind." Your personal career plan should be based on what you would like your career to be like in 10 years, 20 years and 30 years. Begin by creating a series of specific smaller goals to reach your primary goal. As you plan your specific goals, write them down and give yourself a deadline. "I will publish four case presentations by the end of my eighth year in practice." "I will co-author a clinical article for JACA in 2007." "I will complete my diplomate by time I am 30 years old." "I will become an adjunct faculty member of a college in 2008."

If you want to work in an integrated setting, you will need to choose which type of integrated setting: neuromusculoskeletal, pain management, sports, wellness or traditional chiropractic. Customize your career plan to fit your goals. For example, if you plan on practicing in a neuromusculoskeletal setting you should pursue advanced education and experience in adjusting, rehabilitation, treating extremities, myofascial techniques, ergonomics, injury prevention and orthopedics. If you are going to be the chiropractor in an integrated holistic setting you will want to be well versed in modern chiropractic theories, science and adjusting.

Other accomplishments that could sway an employment board at an integrated clinic or hospital may include college faculty appointments, prior experience in integrated clinics, research, active involvement in associations, committees and societies, presentation of scientific papers, post-graduate education, professional awards and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Of course every chiropractor should develop public speaking and technical writing skills and use them. Joining a local Toastmasters club is a great way to develop your speaking skill.

In addition to building a strong curriculum vitae (CV) you should network with other providers and start building relationships. Spend a day "shadowing" a medical colleague; invite the colleague to spend some time in your clinic. Collaborate with other providers on complex cases. Co-publish a case report with a medical doctor. Attend Grand Rounds at a local hospital; most hospitals will welcome you to attend even if you are not a credentialed with the hospital. You may even present Grand Rounds yourself, if you have a command of the literature and can think on your feet.

Much more than building a strong CV, a career plan develops a doctor with depth of knowledge and purpose. Your implemented career plan will put you in a good position to obtain a rewarding career in an integrated facility or in a progressive chiropractic practice.