compensation in Chiropractic setting???

[Fireball]

I am considering work in a chiropractic office.  I am newly licenced and don't know the best way to get compensated.  First any opinions on being an independent contractor vs an employee?  I really want to start my own practice one day but I have a fear of not eating the first few months and want to get in a situation with some guaranteed income in the begining.  They have never established MT in their office so we will both be new at this.  They will also want 15-30 minute clinical sessions with clients.  I would assume that being an employee would be the best way to handle the combination of clinical and private sessions.Would a $ per hour + $X per session be the best option?  Example $10/hr + $5 per 15 min increments?The 2nd job I am considering is $30 per 1hr session in a wellness center environment, but I would have to sign a no-compete.  I think they either want you there or close by if there are no clients booked.  I live 20 minutes from them.  (I don't think Iwould be compensated for down time)Thanks for your help

 

[POTUS]

compensation in Chiropractic setting???

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER SIGN A NO-COMPETE!!! (by the way, did I say never???)That is shooting yourself in the foot! No competes tend to be iron clad in court, cover a large area (such as your entire state) and basicially forbid you from massaging elsewhere, wheather on your own, or with another company. Why would you want to do this????? If massage is your desired career, why would you want to limit yourself in this manner, especially to a place that has lower pay than what you can get on your own, and you have no idea if they are busy enough to cover your bills? I can understand an agreement, either verbal or in writing, that you don't take away clients from the establishment. Please don't ever sign a non-compete!

 

[Mari C]

Be very careful!DO NOT SIGN A NON-COMPETE CLAUSE UNLESS THEY GIVE YOU $$$$$.  You'll regret it later.Be a contractor and carefully examine any contract offerred.  Talk to fellow therapists who have worked for chiros.  There are practice mangement companies that advise chiros how to "fish" for desperate MTs and pay them dirt while billing over $100.00/hour for their services.  One in particular is Practic Mechanix out of Florida.  Give it a three-month trial and then decide.Good luck,Rubmyster

 

[Wott Wott]

compensation in Chiropractic setting???

First any opinions on being an independent contractor vs an employee?  I really want to start my own practice one day but I have a fear of not eating the first few months and want to get in a situation with some guaranteed income in the begining.  They have never established MT in their office so we will both be new at this.  They will also want 15-30 minute clinical sessions with clients.  I would assume that being an employee would be the best way to handle the combination of clinical and private sessions.

Would a $ per hour + $X per session be the best option?  Example $10/hr + $5 per 15 min increments?

After experiencing both being an employee and being an IC, I personally prefer being an IC.  I love the freedom that I get and the feeling of being my own business.  It has also allowed me the time to work on building my business away from the office.  

It comes with plenty of responsibilty, but I enjoy being an IC much more.  You do have to pay your own taxes (quarterly), you will have more overhead, but you have the freedom for changing you schedule, taking off time, not having to hang out while not massaging, ect.  You may even want to discuss the possibility of renting in the future.  You can deduct rent from your taxes, but you can't deduct the difference in the % you get.  Discussing it all upfront makes it much easier for the future.  Get everything in writing.

Since the Chiro has never had an MT in the office you will need to work at getting clients in with marketing.  Make sure the Chiro will be referring clients to you.  This all affects what you should be paid.

Being that you are newly licenced you may be more comfortable starting out at an employee, but if you have any interest in practicing on your own, I would consider being an IC or renter right from the start.

As for pay, just make sure you are being paid what you deserve.  It is all based off of what they are supplying and what your responsibilies and supplies are.

 

[Nicks]

compensation in Chiropractic setting???

I have recently begun working at chiropractor's offices. From the get-go, I stated that I preferred owing a flat rent for the use of the office/room in their suite. So far, the one I've suggested at the chiro offices I've worked in has not been turned down, but this is because I've researched it and am giving them a VERY fair rental fee for the use of the office, no matter how small or large it is. Trust has to be there from the start or forget it...The pros of being an IC and renting are that you choose the hours you wish to work. You come up with all or most of the marketing tactics to get clients in the door (some would consider this a con but I actually enjoy the challenge this brings). And you set your own massage therapy rates/prices for whatever services you provide.The cons of being an IC and renting are that you are responsible for providing EVERYTHING to ensure your business is a success. Depending on the character/personality of the chiropractor you work with, the list of cons could be shortened. For example, if the chiro is laid back and a good-hearted guy, he may allow you to put whatever you want into your massage office/room and not be stringent on how you decorate your office. Also, if he's very supportive of what massage therapy can do for his clients, he may offer to book some or all of your clients for you. So I think it all depends on being able to "read" the chiropractors you go to interview/be interviewed by. Make sure they aren't (too) conservative and wait and see what they offer as far as services (for your practice) go. If they don't offer any, that's ok but also make sure they don't limit how you would like to market your services.Be well,Jen

 

[Lady M]

Thank you so much for your advice!  I will definitely be careful of non-competes!Rubmyster:  Thank your for your warning!  It has opened my eyes!  I guess because I am a good person I expect others to be good people also.  I think that I would rather be an IC but was considering other options that would work easier for them as well as me.  (good person syndrome again)  They had mentioned that they wanted someone to consult with them and do 15 minute fasca warmings or quick spot neuro sessions as needed.  So as an IC would I just bill him for each person I touch?  Masthera:  I have no idea what is a fair payment in that type of setting.  I'm in Charlotte, NC and the average 1 hr massage is around $60-65, and the average compensation is around $20 to $30 under a contract arangement.  Would I want to ask for more than that in a chiro setting? If they supply supplies would $10/hour + $5 per 15 minute session be good?  Should I ask $10 + $8?  Too much?  Too Little?  Just want some opinions.  I promise not to take it as gospel, but it helps me to think things through to hear differing opinions.Thanks!!

 

[Turkey Man]

compensation in Chiropractic setting???

Masthera:  I have no idea what is a fair payment in that type of setting.  I'm in Charlotte, NC and the average 1 hr massage is around $60-65, and the average compensation is around $20 to $30 under a contract arangement.  Would I want to ask for more than that in a chiro setting? If they supply supplies would $10/hour + $5 per 15 minute session be good?  Should I ask $10 + $8?  Too much?  Too Little?  Just want some opinions.  I promise not to take it as gospel, but it helps me to think things through to hear differing opinions.

Thanks!!

If they are supplying the supplies I would say 40%-50% is the norm for a perceneforum.xxxe split as an IC.  Are they making your appointments?  Are they doing insurance billing for the patient and then paying you direct for doing the massage?  All things to take into account.

My situation is this:

They:  Bill insurance, make appointments, advertise some(very little if at all for massage but good with word of mouth in office referals), supply room, stereo,table and other misc supplies (TP and papertowels).

Me as an IC:  Supply sheets, music, cream, massage, soap notes and file, uniform, soap for bathroom, business cards, and misc. marketing.

Agreement of 50% of $60hr charge.  But, Dr. bills $75 to insurance co.  I receive nothing extra if he gets paid in full.

When I was working for a spa as an employee, I was paid $15 hour regardless.  Charges for massage were about the same as where you are.  If I was not doing massage I was helping to run the front desk, laundry, cleaning, ect.  They supplied everything but uniform.

I have never worked in a situation where I did 15min-30min sessions.  I would say that if you are choosing to be an employee than $10hr. +5 more per 15mins might be a little high since they would be supplying you with everything.  Also what would you be doing for the $10 hour when not massaging?

If you choose to be an IC, It seems a little high if you do the 15 mins ($15 almost regular rate), but as you increase the time ($20 half hour and $30 hour) it is about normal.  It can't hurt to ask.  If they don't agree with it they can offer you a lower rate.  

It really depends on what they are going to provide you.