Osteopath - Working conditions
Kaiwhakamaimoa Kōiwi
Working Conditions
Osteopaths work in osteopathic consulting rooms, which are usually comfortable spaces with privacy and good light, ventilation and heating.
Osteopaths may occasionally visit patients in their homes and travel to conferences.
An osteopathic clinic with treatment table
Equipment
Equipment osteopaths may use includes:
- a well-equipped treatment table with towels and pillows
- diagnostic equipment such as blood pressure equipment and patella hammers
- visual aids such as plastic body parts or charts.
Some osteopaths use technology such as magnetic resonate imaging (MRI) scans for diagnosing.
Hours
Osteopaths are usually employed as independent contractors working under a principal osteopath and will negotiate their work contract.
However, osteopaths usually work a 40-hour week, with four days set aside for patient treatment. Some osteopaths may work more or fewer hours depending on their appointments. Osteopaths may arrange to see patients outside regular clinic hours, and they may also run weekend clinics.
"If you’re self-employed it’s difficult to get the right practitioner who works in the same style as you, but work-life balance is better with someone covering the overflow."
Will Aitken - Osteopath
Contact with people
New graduates are usually employed as independent contractors working under a principal osteopath.
With experience, osteopaths may choose to work as sole practitioners or in a group practice with other health professionals.
Osteopaths interact with a wide range of people including patients, other osteopaths and health professionals.
Will Aitken talking with a patient about his muscle pain
Will Aitken discussing a client's appointment with his receptionist
Updated
September 2009
