Your staff are the backbone of your clinic. They ensure patients receive quality care, contribute to the clinic’s reputation, and influence financial performance.

Strong teams bring:

• Consistency: Happy employees provide better care, leading to loyal patients.

• Credibility: Skilled professionals build trust and enhance your clinic’s reputation.

• Growth Opportunities: With the right people in place, you can expand your services.

But in a competitive market, attracting and keeping top talent requires more than just a job offer. It’s about creating a workplace they want to join - and never leave.

Define Your Ideal Candidate

Before you start recruiting, know who you’re looking for.

• Skills and Qualifications: What technical expertise is essential? Look for candidates registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and those experienced in patient-centred care.

• Cultural Fit: Beyond skills, ensure they align with your clinic’s values - whether that’s teamwork, empathy, or innovation.

• Long-Term Potential: Hire for growth. Seek candidates interested in continuous learning and professional development.

Leverage Multiple Recruitment Channels

To reach top talent, you need to go where they are.

• Professional Networks: Engage with osteopathy organisations like the Institute of Osteopathy (iO).

• Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn or even Instagram can highlight your clinic’s culture and opportunities.

• Job Boards: Use niche job boards tailored to healthcare.

Craft an Irresistible Job Offer

Make your job stand out by highlighting what sets your clinic apart.

• Competitive Pay: Offer salaries benchmarked against industry standards.

• Clear Career Pathways: Outline opportunities for growth and specialisation.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexibility matters - especially in healthcare.

Showcase Your Clinic’s Culture

Top talent wants more than just a paycheck - they want purpose and belonging.

• Share Success Stories: Highlight testimonials from happy staff members.

• Promote Your Mission: Show how your clinic makes a difference in patient lives.

• Offer Mentorship: Position your clinic as a place for learning and development.

While recruitment strategies are essential for growing your team, many osteopaths work as sole practitioners or in small clinics. In these cases, building a strong network and leveraging collaborations can be just as valuable as traditional hiring.

• Collaboration Over Hiring: Instead of recruiting permanent staff, consider partnerships with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, sports therapists, or massage therapists, to create a referral network or shared practice space.

• Flexible Staffing Solutions: If hiring a full-time osteopath isn’t viable, explore part-time or freelance practitioners who can take on additional patients during peak hours.

• Virtual Assistance for Admin Work: Outsourcing administrative tasks - such as appointment scheduling, invoicing, or marketing - can free up your time and improve efficiency without needing an in-house team.

• Student Engagement: Offer placements or mentorship opportunities to osteopathy students, which can both support their learning and provide potential future hires.

Whether you’ve built a small but dedicated team or collaborate with a network of professionals, retention strategies ensure consistency, quality, and long-term business growth.

 Build a Positive Work Environment

The workplace culture plays a big role in staff retention.

• Foster Teamwork: Encourage collaboration through regular team meetings and shared goals.

• Provide Recognition: Celebrate achievements - big and small.

• Encourage Feedback: Create channels for open communication, such as anonymous suggestion boxes or one-on-one check-ins.

Offer Professional Development Opportunities

Ambitious professionals value learning. Invest in their growth.

• CPD Courses: Cover costs for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions required by GOsC.

• Specialisation Support: Fund training in areas like sports therapy or paediatric osteopathy.

• Leadership Training: Develop future managers from within your team.

Create a Competitive Benefits Package

Stand out from competitors by offering more than just a salary.

• Healthcare Perks: Provide private health insurance or discounted treatments.

• Flexible Schedules: Offer part-time or remote options for admin roles.

• Wellness Initiatives: Include perks like gym memberships or mindfulness sessions.

Encourage a Work-Life Balance

Burnout is real, especially in healthcare. Prevent it by promoting balance.

• Manageable Workloads: Use scheduling software to distribute work evenly.

• Adequate Time Off: Encourage staff to take holidays to recharge.

• Mental Health Support: Provide access to counselling or stress management resources.

Your admin team is just as vital as your osteopaths. They handle scheduling, patient communications, and the daily operations that keep your clinic running smoothly.

Retaining admin staff requires:

• Training: Ensure they understand software like Xero or Cliniko.

• Recognition: Acknowledge their critical role in the clinic’s success.

• Growth Opportunities: Offer certifications in areas like medical administration.

How do you know if your recruitment and retention strategies are working? Track these metrics:

• Staff Turnover Rate: A high turnover suggests room for improvement.

• Employee Satisfaction Scores: Conduct anonymous surveys to gauge morale.

• Patient Feedback: Happy employees lead to happy patients - monitor reviews.

Recruiting and retaining top talent should be a priority for your business. With a clear plan and the right support, your osteopath clinic can become a sought-after workplace. Focus on culture, development, and competitive benefits to attract the best and keep them happy.

We specialise in helping osteopaths like you optimise operations, manage costs, and plan for growth. From payroll support to financial forecasting, we’ll help you create a clinic where top talent thrives - and patients keep coming back.

Your team is your most valuable asset. Invest in them, and watch your clinic - and your patients - thrive.

(c) Warren Davies, February 2025