What Every Clinic Owner Should Ask a Locum Chiropractor Before Signing
When you're evaluating a covering chiropractor, the natural instinct is to ask them the same questions you'd ask an associate-DC candidate. Those are fine, but they're not the questions that actually predict whether a coverage assignment will go well.
The questions below are specifically about coverage, not employment.
On their license and credentials
- Are you currently licensed in [your state] and is your license unrestricted?
- Verify yourself via the state board website.
- When does your license renew? Is there any chance of a lapse during the assignment dates?
- Do you currently carry malpractice insurance? Can you send me a Certificate of Insurance covering the dates of this assignment?
- Have you had any disciplinary actions, restrictions, or complaints filed against any of your licenses in the past 5 years?
On their experience with coverage
- How many coverage assignments have you completed in the past year?
- Tell me about the most challenging coverage assignment you've done and how you handled it.
- Can you give me references from 2-3 clinics where you've recently done coverage?
And actually call them. Most clinic owners don't bother and regret it.
On their practice style
- What's your primary adjusting technique? Which techniques are you comfortable with?
- Are you comfortable with [specific patient population: pediatric / pregnancy / sports / PI]?
- How do you typically handle a new patient consultation vs. an established patient visit?
- What's your typical visit length?
On their schedule and logistics
- Are these dates firm on your calendar?
- Will you be staying locally during the assignment, or commuting in?
- How early would you typically arrive each morning?
- In an emergency, how would I reach you outside clinic hours?
On their use of your systems
- Are you familiar with [your EHR]? If not, are you comfortable learning a new system on the fly?
- How comfortable are you with the documentation expectations of a clinic that does [your billing situation]?
- Do you have any preferences or requirements around chart access, X-ray equipment, or tools?
On the financial arrangement
- What's your rate, and how do you prefer to be paid?
- What's your policy on no-show or slow days?
- How do you handle a situation where the assignment runs longer or shorter than expected?
- Do you require a deposit before starting?
On the relationship
- How would you describe your communication style during an assignment?
- What's your boundary on patient inquiries after the assignment ends?
- Are there any limits on the scope of work you'd expect during this assignment?
On the contract
- Are you comfortable signing a written assignment agreement?
- Are there specific clauses you require or specific clauses you won't agree to?
Most common conflict: non-circumvention clauses. Standard ones are reasonable; overly aggressive ones aren't.
What you DON'T need to ask
A surprising amount of standard hiring-interview content is irrelevant for coverage:
- Long-term career goals
- Salary expectations (vs. day rate)
- 5-year plan
- Whether they're looking for partnership opportunities
- Family situation, plans to have kids, etc. (off-limits and irrelevant)
How to actually run the conversation
Forty-five minutes is plenty. Twenty minutes of you asking the questions above. Twenty minutes of them asking you questions. Five minutes to discuss logistics and next steps.
If after that conversation you don't feel confident handing them your practice for the dates in question, find a different DC. Coverage is short — there's another one out there.