Acupuncturist

Full Job Description

Acupuncturists practice Acupuncture Medicine, which includes the use of the technique of acupuncture along with other treatment approaches.

Acupuncture medicine includes traditional and modern acupuncture and biomedical (Western) concepts, diagnosis, and treatment approaches for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health.

Acupuncturists use techniques of acupuncture, acupressure, and electroacupuncture as well as adjunctive techniques.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C.

chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Education: Individual must meet one of the requirements below: Master's degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

OR Advanced level degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign acupuncture programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice acupuncture in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Certification: Acupuncturists hired in the VHA must be board certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

The board certification must be current and the acupuncturist must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.

Loss of Certification: An acupuncturist who fails to maintain the required certificate must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.

Licensure: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice acupuncture in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

Loss of licensure: An acupuncturist who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Acupuncturist, GS-9 (Entry Level): Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Acupuncturist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level): Experience or Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

OR, Education: Doctoral degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in an acupuncture or oriental medicine.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to screen referrals and direct veterans to other services as appropriate.

Ability to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis. Ability to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan independently or with other health care professionals.

Ability to educate patients on health lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care.

This includes the ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds. Skill in the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

Major Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Provide individualized acupuncture treatment - The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and Acupuncture Medicine evaluation to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan.

Acupuncturists use techniques of acupuncture, acupressure, and electroacupuncture as well as adjunctive techniques.

Adjunctive techniques may include manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic approaches as well as recommendations in lifestyle, dietary modifications, and therapeutic movements per state scope of practice (or NSP when adopted) and in accordance with facility level scope.

The acupuncturist shall educate patients on healthy lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care.

Provide group acupuncture - The acupuncturist will provide group acupuncture, as determined.

Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system - The acupuncturist shall document and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies.

Oral informed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture and adjunctive treatment(s) and documented in the electronic health record.

The acupuncturist communicates with other healthcare providers as appropriate.

Maintain trainings and attend required meetings - The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended.

Administration - The acupuncturist will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, and direct Veterans to others services when necessary, as directed.

The acupuncturist serves as a subject matter expert on acupuncture services and provides guidance when requested regarding community care.

Knowledge of issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services and the efficient delivery of acupuncture services to include groups and protocolized approaches for their own clinics.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 99283/99284 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized