Chiropractor

The Aleda E. Lutz VAMC, Saginaw and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Chiropractic Service provides examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of non-operative musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Chiropractors are licensed independent providers who work as part of VA interdisciplinary teams including physical medicine and rehabilitation, primary care, pain management, other relevant medical and surgical specialties, and other relevant associated health disciplines.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

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: You must submit a copy of your transcript with your application package. 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:

• 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.
• 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: You must submit a copy of your license with application package.

• Doctor of Chiropractic (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. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the doctor of chiropractic is to serve in a country other than the United States and the doctor of chiropractic has licensure in that country.
• Residents. Licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before completion of the first year of a VA residency. Unlicensed residents must meet any registration or other equivalent requirements established for chiropractic residents of non-VA facilities or chiropractic clinics with which the VA facility is affiliated for training purposes during the first year of VA residency.
• Impaired Licensure. A doctor of chiropractic who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed on a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the existing VA provisions applicable to other independent licensed practitioners, in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 14, this part.

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).

Grade Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

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 (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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.

EMOTIONAL DEMANDS:

• Exposure to meeting with patients and relatives needs and expectations. Work with critically ill patients and may observe patient suffering.