Building a Seven-Figure Chiropractic Practice: The Power of SOPs

In this episode of the Seven Figure Chiro Podcast, Dr. Jeff Berard and Kristin share their insights on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of building a successful chiropractic practice: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). As they delve into the nuances of creating a scalable, efficient clinic, they emphasize that SOPs are the backbone of any thriving business, ensuring consistency, compliance, and growth.

Before diving into SOPs, Dr. Berard revisited the key takeaways from the previous episode:

1. Communicating Your Hedgehog Concept: Ensuring that your team and providers can clearly convey your practice's unique value to clients and the community.
2. Constructing Aligned Treatment Plans: Tailoring plans that reflect your clinic's mission and long-term goals.
3. Knowing Costs and Margins: Understanding financials to support forecasting and track key performance indicators.

These pillars set the stage for the next vital step: implementing SOPs.

Kristin shared a fundamental truth: scaling a business requires structure. While a small team can rely on daily interactions for coordination, expanding to higher revenue brackets necessitates documented processes. SOPs provide clarity, reduce errors, and protect your clinic from disruptions caused by team turnover.

Key reasons SOPs are indispensable include:

• Consistency: Uniform procedures ensure every patient has a reliable, high-quality experience.
• Compliance: In healthcare, adhering to laws like HIPAA, Stark Law, and anti-kickback statutes is non-negotiable.
• Scalability: SOPs enable seamless onboarding of new team members and support clinic expansion.

Dr. Berard highlighted practical examples of SOPs that can transform your practice:

• Patient Interactions: Guidelines for greeting, treating, educating, and inspiring hope in every session.
• Treatment Plans: Standards for care delivery, time allocation, and follow-up procedures.
• Administrative Processes: From handling payments and scheduling to ordering imaging and managing no-shows.
• Employee Duties: Clear expectations for daily responsibilities, downtime, and closing routines.

Kristin noted that creating SOPs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Starting with the basics and gradually building out more detailed policies ensures steady progress.

While creating SOPs may seem tedious, they pay dividends over time. Dr. Berard and Kristin emphasized several advantages:

• Reduced Training Time: SOPs act as a built-in manual for new hires, allowing them to contribute effectively from day one.
• Operational Resilience: When a key team member departs, documented processes ensure the clinic continues to run smoothly.
• Improved Employee Satisfaction: High-performing team members thrive in organized environments with clear expectations.

Here’s a step-by-step guide based on the podcast:

1. Start Small: Focus on critical areas like compliance, patient care, and financial processes.
2. Utilize Tools: Resources like ChatGPT or professional consultants can streamline SOP creation.
3. Annual Review: Regularly update your SOPs to reflect changes in laws, technology, or clinic operations.
4. Create Accessibility: Store SOPs in an online portal or physical manual for easy reference.

Kristin also highlighted the importance of an employee handbook as a central resource for policies, mission statements, and SOPs specific to each role.

Dr. Berard concluded with a powerful message: SOPs are not just administrative tools; they’re the foundation of a scalable, profitable practice. He stressed that maintaining a predictable, efficient clinic attracts top-tier talent and ensures a high-quality patient experience.

For those feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, Dr. Berard and Kristin encouraged reaching out to SevenFigureChiro.com for guidance. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing processes, the right framework can unlock your practice’s full potential.

Don’t miss the next episode, where Dr. Berard and Kristin will discuss Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)—the metrics that will help you measure and drive your clinic’s success.

Until then, take the first steps toward creating SOPs. Your future seven-figure practice depends on it!