Acupuncturist (Advanced)

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

English Language: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Education: 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: Currently possess a board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Licensure: Possess a 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.

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-12 (Advanced Level) Experience.

In addition to the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

Examples of experience related to the GS-11 grade level includes but no limited to: the design and oversight of acupuncture treatment plans as well as a full range of acupuncture services, monitoring the accuracy of needle placement during a treatment.

The incumbent communicates with patients about any abnormal or unexpected results or responses to treatment and advises patients regarding lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care.

The acupuncturist may submit referrals and requests for devices, materials and appliances available and commonly used by the acupuncture profession.

Duties include documentation of information related to patient care including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, response to treatment, plan of care, and patient education as well as identification and documentation of appropriate coding for each patient encounter.

The acupuncturist provides information regarding the patient consultation to other health care providers. The incumbent manages clinical workload demands.

The incumbent serves as a mentor to new staff or less experienced staff and students.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill and ability to perform safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques.

Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence based and cost effectiveness.

Ability to apply and adapt acupuncture to new and changing programs. Knowledge of research strategies, methodologies and principles. Ability to solve issues surrounding delivery of acupuncture.

Preferred Experience: 1-3 years of Acupuncturist experience in a clinical setting. Must be able to work independently and have good communication skills.

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 the GS-12. Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, light lifting (up to 20 lbs.) Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Utilizes standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan.

Incorporates the various training techniques taught within East Asian Medicine and acupuncture, and may apply safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques.

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

Provides group acupuncture as determined. Documents and codes information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies.

Communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. Maintains up-to-date VHA and professional trainings and attends required meetings.

Reviews referrals, screens for appropriateness of care, and directs Veterans to others services when necessary.

Serves as the subject matter expert on acupuncture and East Asian Medicine services and provides guidance when requested regarding purchased care.

Has knowledge of complex issues surrounding delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence base and cost effectiveness.

Participates in teaching principles of acupuncture to staff, students and residents including journal clubs, grand rounds and in-service trainings.

Provides assistance as needed for issues or problems that arise in relation to the acupuncture practice and serves as a preceptor to new staff or less experienced staff and students.

Serves as an advisor to leadership on issues pertaining to acupuncture. May participate in clinical research projects.

Work Schedule: 7:30AM-4:00PM, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55549F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.