Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until December 31, 2022. The area of consideration for this announcement is limited to Permanent employees of the Wilmington VA Medical Center and its CBOCs to include Excepted Service.

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Major Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Patient Care: Chiropractors are expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, & effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, & care at the end of life.
2. Medical/Clinical Knowledge: Chiropractors are expected to demonstrate knowledge of established & evolving evidenced based practices, & the application of their knowledge to patient care & the education of others. The Chiropractor will function within their approved scope of practice as defined by the licensing board for their license.
3. Clinical Judgment: To ensure evidenced based learning & improvement, chiropractors are expected to be able to use scientific evidenced based practice & methods to investigate, evaluate, & improve patient care.
4. Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Chiropractors are expected to demonstrate interpersonal & communication skills that enable them to establish & maintain professional relationships with patients, families, & other members of the health care team.
5. Professionalism: Chiropractors are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, & understanding & sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients & their profession.
6. Systems-Based Practice: Chiropractors are expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, & the ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing health care.
7. Telehealth: Chiropractors are expected to provide telehealth services to appropriate patients, through means of Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), VA Video Connect (VVC), & other telehealth means approved by VA. Additionally, return phone calls & contact patients as necessary.
8. Provide individualized evaluation and treatment: The chiropractor will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and chiropractic evaluation to evaluate and develop a chiropractic treatment plan. The chiropractor shall incorporate the various evidenced based treatment techniques. The chiropractor will collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, including PM&RS to ensure the whole health approach to patient centered care. The chiropractor will complete evaluations, re-evaluations, plan of care, treatments, & discharges.
9. Provide group chiropractic care: The chiropractor may provide group chiropractic care, as determined, to be medically indicated & appropriate.
10. Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system: The chiropractor shall document & code information for billing related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies.
11. Maintain trainings & attend required meetings: The chiropractor shall maintain up-to-date VHA & professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended, or representative will attend if patient care emergency arises. Additionally, attends patient / family meetings, committee meetings, & interdisciplinary meetings as assigned/ directed. The Chiropractor is responsible for individual professional development, attends evidenced based clinical educational courses to assure continued competency by establishing, maintaining, & updating professional performance, knowledge, & skills to promote a progressive treatment environment.
12. Administration: The chiropractor will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, & direct Veterans to other services when necessary. The chiropractor is the subject matter expert on chiropractic services & will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to chiropractic services, such as evidenced base practice & cost effectiveness. Chiropractors will collaborate directly with Acupuncturist & other Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service staff as indicated.
13. Other: Chiropractors are expected to complete other duties as assigned.

Appointment type: Multiple Appointment Types - Permanent and Temporary Appointments may be available.

Work Schedule: Multiple Schedules - Full-Time, Part-Time and/or Intermittent schedules may be available. A variety of work schedules are available; Work schedule will be determined upon selection.

NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays.

Pay Schedule: The salary range listed in this announcement is a Base-Line Salary range for a Chiropractor on a full-time work schedule. A professional standards board will determine grade/step and salary of the selected applicant, which may fall anywhere in the provided range.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel.

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.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• License: Current, full and unrestricted license (Doctor of Chiropractic) to practice chiropractic in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Physical Standards: See listed below.
• 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).

Preferred Experience: In addition to state license as a chiropractor with a minimum of one year experience, the preferred candidate will also maintain and a National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Certification in Acupuncture and state licensure as an acupuncturist. Preferred experience would include the candidate utilizing their acupuncture license in addition to their chiropractor license. The incumbent will follow their state license requirements in order to provide acupuncture services in addition to chiropractic services. The training requirements for special privileges in acupuncture for a Chiropractor must, at a minimum, met the requirements of the incumbent's state licensing body in order to preform acupuncture. For example, requirements for Pennsylvania state license, the incumbent in addition to their chiropractor license, they would also have their license as an acupuncturist issued by the state board. In order to obtain that license, the incumbent would have also had to successfully completed an acupuncture educational program which including a course in needle sterilization techniques, and obtained a passing grade on acupuncture examination and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Education requirements for the NCCAOM certification in Acupuncture requires a 3-year Master's program in Acupuncture.
Grade Determinations: Grade determinations will be determined by the National Chiropractic Professional Standards Board based on the following requirements, the selected applicants qualifications and the duties of the position to be filled.

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. A doctor of chiropractic at the Intermediate grade meets the requirements for Full grade and the requirements in subparagraphs 3c(1) and (2):

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:

• (a) 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 doctors of chiropractic or other professionals in other health care facilities.
• (b) 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.
• (c) 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.
• (d) 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. Not applicable.

Chief Grade. Not applicable.

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical excretion, with long periods of standing, bending, kneeling, walking, reaching, gripping, sitting, twisting, pulling or pushing carts with inventories or activities involving retrieving items from shelves and cabinets, and patient transfers. Moderate to heavy lifting is often required. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as lifting patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending him/herself against combative patient assigned to the incumbent. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of a hospital setting. Employees will be required to follow universal infection control precautions that may include having to "gown and glove" when providing treatment to patients. Sitting at meetings, desks or computer terminals for documentation purposes is also required. Operation and driving of a motor vehicle is also required. The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required.

Due to the complexity of the work, the multiplicity of the projects at any one time, deadlines, and duties, the job requires a high level of energy, and may be psychologically stressful at times.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or other 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.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.