|  | Healthcare Industry | Healthcare Management

How Can a Chiropractor Become a Teacher?

Chiropractors can easily become teachers of children in elementary to high school, college and or adult education. The educational requirements to become a chiropractic physician are as stringent as the requirements to become a medical doctor. Chiropractic is the second largest health care profession.

Licensed chiropractors must complete several years of undergraduate instruction and must invest nearly an equal number of classroom hours as fully accredited medical doctors.

Chiropractors commonly treat patients with complaints involving, joints, muscles and bones with emphasis on how the nervous system is affected without surgical intervention or drugs. Chiropractic medicine is also focused on spinal manipulations that adjust the bones to facilitate the body's natural ability to self-heal.

Chiropractors are trained in X-ray, microbiology, public health, biochemistry physiology, anatomy and pathology. Chiropractors must successfully pass a variety of national board examinations as well as licensing examination for the state the chiropractor elects to practice in.

Before a chiropractor can become a teacher he must meet the teaching certification criteria of the state he wants to teach in to secure a teaching credential and certification.

  1. Consider a Teaching Mentor

    • Visit with other chiropractors who have successfully made the transition to teaching. Consider a variety of teaching environments ranging from elementary to the university level.

    Do Your Homework

    • Investigate teaching opportunities for the best opportunities based on professional and personal criteria. Consult with family members to determine if moving to another state will be beneficial to the entire family.

    Find the Best Teaching Opportunities

    • Identify a number of states and subjects the chiropractor has in interest in teaching. In most geographic locations worldwide, science, math, health care and public health teachers are in great demand. Teaching in vocational environments subjects like X-ray techniques, nutrition and alternative medicine also complement the training and background of chiropractors.

    Geography is Important

    • Compare the advantages and disadvantages, fringe benefits like retirement and vacation time before making a decision on a geographic location.

    Make a List

    • Make a list of favorable and least favorable issues that impact teachers. List short-term goals and long-term objectives. Determine how becoming a teacher will affect the goals and objectives.

    Analyze & Investigate

    • Analyze emerging teaching opportunities for chiropractors like teaching workshops that reduce stress, how to prevent and treat headaches, relaxation and sports medicine.

    Make a Realistic Plan

    • Decide which opportunities and requirements will be the best fit. Make a realistic determination on how much time, money and effort will be necessary to successfully become a teacher. Identify any additional requirements necessary for a teaching certificate and, if possible, send out resumes prior to certification for possible financial sponsorship. In some states teachers are in such short supply; chiropractors may start teaching with emergency certification pending additional academic credits.

Healthcare Management - Related Articles