Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.

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The chiropractor will provide the following:

• Subject-matter expertise in the implementation of the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (OPCC & CT); Complementary & Integrative Health (CIH); Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM); and VISN initiatives related to Whole health programming.
• Ensure proper coordination between the delivery of the Whole Health Program services and the overall delivery of healthcare.
• Performing patient history and physical examination.
• Ordering imaging, laboratory, or other diagnostic studies as appropriate.
• Establishing diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Providing patient instruction and recommendations pertaining to hygiene, nutrition, exercise, sanitary measures, lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and modifications of ergonomic factors.
• Performing standard manual procedures consistent with chiropractic care as commonly contained in the core curriculum of Council on Chiropractic Education- accredited chiropractic colleges.
• Providing other CAM services, consistent with individual training and licensure and facility needs.
• Making referrals to other clinicians including medical, surgical, and behavioral health specialties, and other providers such as physical therapists and occupational therapists.
• Managing episodes of care, seeking and applying internal and external customer feedback.
• During the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned sub-specialty may be necessary as the projects become available with strategic or other initiative.
• Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion. All documentation should be entered by the provider into the medical record directly. Prohibited abbreviations should not be used.

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Chiropractor Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• Education: Degree of doctor of chiropractic, or its equivalent, resulting from a course of education in chiropractic. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:
  • 1 United States schools or colleges of chiropractic listed as accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, at http://www.cce-usa.org/, or equivalent agency, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.
  • 2 Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure.
• Licensure or Registration: (Except Residents). Current, full and unrestricted license to practice chiropractic in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. Doctors of chiropractic appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

• VA experience
• 4+ years of practice experience
• Post graduate professional certification in a related discipline or field

• Associate Grade: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Full Grade: Two years of full-time chiropractic practice or its equivalent. One year of full-time post-graduate residency specialty training from a chiropractic school or college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, or equivalent agency approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is acceptable in lieu of the 2 years of practice. Candidate must have demonstrated the professional competence and performance necessary to provide independently the full range of clinical diagnosis and chiropractic treatment for the most prevalent neuro-musculoskeletal conditions including subluxation complex.
• Intermediate Grade: Meets the requirements for Full grade and must meet the following requirements:
  1. A total of 4 years of chiropractic practice or its equivalent. Acceptable in lieu of 4 years of practice is completion of a 3-year full-time post-graduate residency program from an accredited U.S. chiropractic college, as evidenced by documentation of completion (e.g., transcript), which renders the Doctor of Chiropractic eligible for certification by a specialty board recognized by the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors' Association, or the American Board of Chiropractic Specialties to obtain Diplomate status.
  2. Demonstrates a high level of professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are
     1. Is a recognized expert in dealing with a variety of unusually difficult chiropractic cases which are referred by other facilities for resolution and recommended courses of action to provide for maximum rehabilitation. Typically, in this capacity serves as a consultant to Doctor of Chiropractic or other professionals in other health care facilities.
     2. Has assumed responsibility for a multi-faceted chiropractic program including clinical research and/or training requiring a high degree of competence and skill in developing innovative, new and advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. Typically, the program is in an educationally affiliated health care facility having a chiropractic training program of moderate scope involving liaison with other medical services and affiliated schools.
     3. Played a significant part in the conduct of research in a problem area of considerable scope and complexity that required novel approaches, and which resulted in answers to important questions or important changes in existing methods and techniques. Publications authored by the Doctor of Chiropractic are of considerable value to others in the individual's field. Typically, overall contributions are recognized by serving on important committees or other bodies in the profession.
     4. Has full responsibility for carrying out a chiropractic training program of significant size in which the Doctor of Chiropractic is responsible for maintaining liaison with the affiliated school and other educational institutions and professional or scientific organizations. The individual has displayed innovative approaches in development of curriculum and course content and in expanding and improving the educational program.
• Senior Grade: Is restricted to selected leadership positions. The individual's qualifications, as well as the scope and complexity of the assignment, are considered. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the following:

1. The Doctor of Chiropractic at this grade will meet one or more of the following:
   1. Possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professorial level (i.e., full professor) in a school or college of chiropractic or other appropriate affiliated school or college.
   2. Has been awarded Diplomate status by a specialty board recognized by the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors' Association, or the American Board of Chiropractic Specialties and is currently in good standing with the specialty board.
2. Demonstrates superior professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are:
   1. Serves as a team leader in addressing major chiropractic problems affecting the continued provision of quality care health services at a Veterans Integrated Service Network or national level. The recommendations and conclusions of the Doctor of Chiropractic are highly regarded
   2. Has assumed responsibility for carrying out a major chiropractic program segment on a national level.
   3. Conducts research in a difficult area of major scientific interest that has contributed to a substantial advance in the chiropractic health field with important professional publications.

• Chief Grade. Is restricted to selected leadership positions. The Individual's qualifications, as well as the scope and complexity of the assignment, are considered. A doctor of chiropractic at the Chief grade meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of the exceptional professional and/or administrative development:
  1. Has assumed substantial professional and/or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope. The doctor of chiropractic at this level has responsibility for a major chiropractic program segment on a nationwide basis and is consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and/or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and chiropractic communities.
  2. Has demonstrated outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are: (a) Achievement of outstanding results in research that is regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field. (b) Significant number of noteworthy publications in nationally recognized professional journals.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.