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TCA NextGen’s NextMentor Expectations The Texas Chiropractic Association understands the value that having a mentor in your field can provide. The experience and guidance that established chiropractors can provide to recent graduates is unparalleled, and we at TCA provide the means for both sides to connect and encourage each other. Through the NextMentor program, we accomplish these means by connecting chiropractors in their first four years of practice with a mentor who best matches their goals and aspirations. NextMentor Program Goals To facilitate an opportunity for personal and professional growth. To provide a foundation for and a pathway to interprofessional networking, creating a strong support system for new graduates entering practice and establishing their own path. To encourage leadership and connection through service to the profession and the next generation of chiropractors. To engage chiropractors across various specialties and geographic areas to assist in providing new practitioners with the knowledge and skills to be successful in their career. Mentorship Interactions One-on-one meetings and conversations. Observation of patient care and clinic operations. Instruction and demonstration of treatment techniques, clinical tools and devices, office procedures and patient interactions. Instruction and observation of community involvement, volunteer work, marketing activities and the systems and processes involved in practice growth and operations. General advice, guidance and discussions for the purpose of imparting wisdom from personal practice experience. Expectations of Mentors Through sharing your stories of business success and failure, clinical pearls learned through experience, advice on how to build a patient base and community relationships, and honest conversations about missteps along the way, these mentorship interactions provide a dynamic learning experience that far exceeds what can be found in a textbook. As a participant in the TCA NextMentor program, Mentors are expected to: Host an initial meeting (virtual, by phone or in-person) with the Mentee within 7 days of receiving their match to discuss the schedule, format and frequency of communications, as well as establish goals and objectives. Conduct regular meetings or communications with the Mentee and respond to all calls or emails within 24 hours whenever possible. Conduct themselves at all times as a representative of Texas Chiropractic Association, not speaking negatively about the Association, its leadership or staff. Act as a positive influence, role model and guide to real-world experience—to this end, the Mentor is encouraged to speak to the Mentee with kindness and understanding, providing honest feedback and guidance where needed. Have a D.C. degree, be a TCA member in good standing, maintain a current license for chiropractic practice in their state with no history of misconduct, and current malpractice insurance. Failure to comply with this directive may result in dismissal from the program. Future participation in the program will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Be professional and practice with integrity, within the scope of practice as defined by the state licensing board(s) under which the Mentor is licensed. Have patience, integrity, tact, firmness, a sense of fairness, be able to work under stress, and utilize good teamwork skills. Be aware that the NextMentor program is NOT an employment program and that NO expectation of employment is to be placed on the Mentee. Any occasions where the Mentee is in the office of the Mentor are strictly for the purpose of observation and guidance, not to perform work. If the Mentor and Mentee come to a separate arrangement for work rendered by the Mentee, this is outside the scope of the NextMentor program. The Texas Chiropractic Association, and its agents operating under this program, will not be held responsible or liable for any damages or consequences of such outside arrangements. Failure to comply with this directive will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program and ineligibility for future participation in the NextMentor program. The Mentor will complete a survey after 4 months after the initial match to provide feedback on the structure and administration of the program and any constructive input on ways to improve and better facilitate the TCA NextGen’s NextMentor program moving forward. The Mentor will also complete an evaluation and assessment of the Mentee’s involvement in the program, offering feedback on their participation and engagement. Expectations of Mentees Participation in the TCA NextGen’s NextMentor program is considered a privilege and an opportunity to learn and grow with experienced chiropractors. The Mentors have agreed to dedicate their time and attention to imparting wisdom, guidance and knowledge as a way of contributing to the next generation of chiropractors and shaping the future of chiropractic in Texas. As a Mentee in the NextMentor program, you are expected to: Attend an initial meeting (virtual, by phone or in-person) with their Mentor within 7 days of receiving their match to discuss the schedule, format and frequency of communications. In this initial meeting, the Mentee should discuss with the Mentor their specific goals and objectives for the mentorship program. Will conduct themselves at all times as a representative of the Texas Chiropractic Association, in a manner befitting a professional, and with integrity and respect for the Mentor, their office staff, their patients, and their contribution to your growth. Will communicate with the Mentor in the manner decided upon in the initial meeting with the Mentor, adhering to the schedule, frequency and method of communication mutually agreed upon. Will be respectful, professional, and possess an attitude of someone eager to learn, in each interaction with the Mentor and their office staff. Will be prepared for each interaction with questions and talking points to help accomplish their specified goals/objectives and to make the best use of the time with the Mentor. Have a D.C. degree and be a TCA member in good standing. The Mentee must either maintain a current license for Chiropractic practice in their state with no history of misconduct or be in their first year after graduation, therefore eligible for postceptorship, with no history of misconduct. Be aware that the NextMentor program is NOT an employment program and that the Mentee is NOT to perform any work or assist in patient care for the Mentor or their office staff. Any occasions where the Mentee is in the office of the Mentor are strictly for the purpose of observation and guidance, not to perform work. If the Mentor and Mentee come to a separate arrangement for work rendered by the Mentee, this is outside the scope of the NextMentor program. The Texas Chiropractic Association, and its agents operating under this program, will not be held responsible or liable for any damages or consequences of such outside arrangements. Must comply with all guidelines of HIPAA during any opportunities for shadowing or observation the Mentor’s office. The Mentee will notify the TCA NextGen Committee of the agreed-upon schedule, format and frequency of communications, within 7 days of the initial meeting. The Mentee complete a survey 4 months after the initial match to provide feedback on the structure and administration of the program and any constructive input on ways to improve and better facilitate the TCA NextGen’s NextMentor program moving forwards. The Mentee will also complete an evaluation and assessment of the Mentor’s involvement in the program, providing feedback on their participation and engagement. I, acting as either Mentor or Mentee, agree to enter into the TCA NextGen’s NextMentor mentorship program based upon the criteria described above, which set forth the expectations, parameters and process for the mentorship program.