What Is Your Most Important Job Responsibility as a C.A. (chiropractic assistant?)

I’ve been asked to share the job responsibilities of a chiropractic assistant many times over the years.  The list will of course vary from practice to practice as I mentioned in a post from a few years back:

http://practicalca.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/the-role-of-the-chiropractic-assistant/

But if I could sum up in one sentence, the most important job responsibility a C.A. has, what do you think it would be?

First of all, I will share that I am surprised at how common it is for C.A.s (just like people in other jobs) to complain about some task that they are asked to do.  We can at times, fault the doctor or office manager who hired the person for not having a well defined job description for the new hire to agree to prior to being hired.  However, we all know that in a chiropractic practice, it is often difficult to list every possible task that the C.A. may need to perform.  So with that said, what is the most important thing?

Your job as a C.A., should be that you are to do what is necessary to ease the stress of the doctor.  When it comes to running a practice, seeing patients – being on their game as they are helping to heal people, doctors have so many stressors to deal with.  The last thing the doc needs is a C.A. who is not a team player!  Make sure that your doctor has defined the role he or she wants you to play in the practice.  And make sure that you have been properly trained to do that job, then go do it and do it well!  When a problem arises (which they will) then stop a moment and assess the issue.  What can you do to resolve the problem? What does the doc need to do?  Other employees involved?  Then their role needs to be considered as well.  The most important thing to do is to stop, breathe, assess and then go to your supervisor and without emotion, describe the problem, and then offer your solution to the problem!  Don’t just go complaining!  Also, understand that the decision to not use your solution may be their choice, so accept whatever solution is offered, and go to work!

I am surprised at how many employees will complain about being asked to do something outside of their immediate job description in a chiropractic practice.  Chiropractic office employees must be some of the most versatile employees of all professions!  The most important factor in being successful is the ability to accept the role of helping to make the office run as smoothly as possible, so that your patients have the best possible experience while in your office!

So in the coming week, make it a goal to do what you need to so that you can “ease the stress of the doctor” just a bit!

Practically Yours!

the PracticalCA

 

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