5 Reasons Why You, as a Chiropractor, Should Work for the Government

During my final year of chiropractic school, I remember searching and searching for employment opportunities.  After the safe harbor of years in an academic setting, it was time to really pull-on my big girl pants.  The more I looked, the dimmer my prospects seem to be.  There was a time when I was willing to go into the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders for employment, but neither organization at the time even recognized chiropractic.  When I was doing my research for this blog, I could not believe the opportunities! I assumed the government hired chiropractors, but I had no idea the positions that are now available. 

1. Good for Veterans, Good for You 

In 2016, there were 20.4 million veterans in the US, according to the Pew Research Center.  Two years later, that number has not gotten any smaller.  It makes sense that the government is turning to alternate forms of treatment to help lower their costs and improve patient outcomes.  

Here is how it works; based on your profession there is a specific form a chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, MD, etc who would fill out a form for submission.  That form helps to direct them to their appropriate field.  The cool thing is when I was perusing their list of employment opportunities, I was surprised at the number of traditional medicine jobs chiropractors could apply for. Physician, interventional radiologist, and especially medical examiners were among the top choices on the list. 

Check out vacareers.va.gov for more info.

2. Show me the Money

Cuba Gooding Jr. in Jerry McGuire isn’t the only one who likes to make a lot of money.  If there is one thing the government does well, it’s in the paycheck.  I was shocked to see the salaries attached to the jobs for veterans (category #1).  Most salaries were close to or well above the six-figure mark. 

3. Benefits

Americans like to talk (a lot) and one thing on everyone’s mind is healthcare.  As a small business owner, the buck stops with me on my own health insurance but I know for the majority of people in the workforce, that doesn’t fly. Healthcare and benefits are among the most asked questions when I hire a new employee.  If this is a concern for you, then look no further then the government.  I don’t think the health benefits can get any better.  With most services covered, $10 ER visits, $5,000 in a healthcare flexible spend account per year, and of course pensions and retirement accounts, it's hard to beat government employee's health benefits. 

4. Job Security is Top Priority

I know a lot of chiropractors go into business for themselves. When it comes right down to it, entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Market instability, irregular paychecks, employees, etc. can make even the toughest person want to run for the hills.  Unless the government stops collecting taxes, which I am thinking is pretty unlikely, working for them provides the ultimate job security. They have 9:00am-5:00pm schedule, paid time off, paychecks, and benefits down to a science. 

5. Vacations

For a good laugh, google 'government employee jokes or memes.'  I actually “LOL’ed” when I read some of them.  

The common idea is that working for the government is easy and that most workers are lazy.  I certainly would not go that far.  One other good benefit government jobs provide is paid time off.  Besides sick days (which you earn hundreds of hours towards), after working for a few years, your PTO can be upwards of 3-4 weeks/year.  Now that is something to get excited about!  

For more info check out  chirorecruit.com to see more job opportunities.