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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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This position This position serves as the Whole Health Staff Chiropractor within the Whole Health System under Primary Care Services as the St. Louis VAMC. STL VAMC is a large Level-1B highly complex VA hospital and serves all sites of care within the catchment area. They are responsible for providing effective and timely examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions using non-pharmacologic and non-operative methods. The incumbent works collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary Whole Health team within the VA STLHCS to ensure efficient delivery of chiropractic care and timely access to services. The incumbent may also work with specialties such as physical medicine and rehabilitation, primary care, pain management, other relevant medical and surgical specialties, and associated health disciplines to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for Veterans.

Clinical Duties:

• Conducts comprehensive history and physical examinations of Veterans with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complaints.
• Uses standard medical evaluation and biomechanical assessments to establish diagnoses and formulate management plans.
• Orders, performs, and interprets diagnostic studies (X-ray, CT, bone scan, EMG, bone density, MRI) as clinically indicated and within scope of practice.
• Provides clinical services within the scope of a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), including joint manipulation/mobilization, soft tissue therapies, and physical modalities.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans incorporating manual therapies, modalities, and rehabilitative exercises.
• Collaborates and refers to other healthcare providers as medically indicated.
• Delivers, or may be trained to deliver, Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) modalities (e.g., acupuncture, dry needling, mind-body therapies) as permitted within scope and with appropriate approval or training.
• Monitors patient progress, adjusts treatments as needed, and determines appropriate discharge or referral.
• Applies evidence-based methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care practices.
• Participates in quality improvement, peer review, and outcomes monitoring to support continuous learning and practice improvement.
• Provides patient and family education on self-care, ergonomics, lifestyle, exercise, and condition

• Demonstrates effectiveness in teaching and monitors and coordinates educational activities in compliance with necessary trainee supervision requirements.
• May precept or mentor chiropractic students, residents, or fellows as applicable.
• Participates in staff education regarding musculoskeletal conditions, chiropractic scope of practice, and Whole Health principles.
• Collaborates with affiliated academic institutions, training programs, or VA research offices to support scholarly activity as opportunities arise.

• Participates in or supports clinical research initiatives related to chiropractic care, musculoskeletal health, and integrative medicine as approved by the facility's Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• Assists in the collection, documentation, and reporting of data for research studies, quality improvement projects, and evidence-based practice initiatives.

• Demonstrates behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward patients and the profession.
• Maintains required licensure, credentialing, and privileging in accordance with VHA policy.
• Ensures compliance with Joint Commission standards, VHA Directives, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

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.
• 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 identification 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).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  - your performance and conduct;
  - the needs and interests of the agency;
  - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
  Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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 Qualification Standard:

• 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 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. The Senior 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 Senior grade meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in subparagraphs 3d(1) and (2): (1) The doctor of chiropractic at this grade will meet one or more of the following: (a) 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. (b) 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: (a) 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. (b) Has assumed responsibility for carrying out a major chiropractic program segment on a national level. (c) 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.

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.