Career Center

Summary

The Acupuncturist may treat a wide range of conditions and acupuncture may be used alone or as an adjunct to traditional medical care. The acupuncturist includes the stimulation of specific points along the skin of the body using thin needles with or without the addition of electric stimulation. The acupuncturist may use various techniques commonly taught in East Asian Medicine or Acupuncture schools.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens - necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States
• Education
• Individual must meet one of the requirements below:(1) Master's degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
• OR (2) Advanced level degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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): Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are performing the duties as described in this qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Acupuncturists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) Acupuncturists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as an acupuncturist
• Creditable Experience Knowledge of Acupuncture Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must demonstrate possession of Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA) associated with current professional acupuncture practice
• The experience must be post-master's degree or above
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a certificate - masters or doctoral degree in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine from an accredited training program
• Creditable experience must include work as a professional licensed acupuncturist
• Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to acupuncture experience at the next lower grade level
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significantly larger scope - administrative independence - difficulty and range of variety and described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Grade Determinations: Acupuncturist - GS-12 (Advanced Level): Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements - completion of a minimum of one year of performing progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and meet the KSAs at the GS-11 level
• 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
• AND - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• 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 problem solve issues surrounding delivery of acupuncture
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12
• Physical Requirements: Sitting - Standing - Light lifting ( 20lbs)
• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Provide individualized acupuncture treatment: The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan
• The acupuncturist shall incorporate the various training techniques taught within East Asian Medicine and acupuncture and may apply safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques
• The acupuncturist shall educate patients on health 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 - 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 health care 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 other services when necessary
• The acupuncturist is the subject matter expert on acupuncture and East Asian Medicine services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care
• Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services - such as evidence base and cost effectiveness
• Problem solves issues in the delivery of acupuncture
• Leadership
• The acupuncturist will participate in teaching principles of acupuncture to staff - students and residents including journal clubs - grand rounds - and in-service trainings
• The incumbent 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
• The advanced level acupuncturist serves as an advisor to leadership on issues pertaining to acupuncture
• The acupuncturist may participate in clinical research projects
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm (compressed can be offered) Telework: Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 70939-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized