• Job Description

  Req#: 746952200
  The Ann Arbor, MI VA Toledo, OH VA Medical Center is a full time Acupuncturist. 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.
  
  Duties
  
  
  The Acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation under the direction of a journey level or higher Acupuncturist - or other health care provider - in accordance with the established treatment plan. The Acupuncturist shall incorporate the various training techniques taught within East Asian Medicine and acupuncture. The Acupuncturist will refer to more experienced staff member(s) for a decision/assistance if faced with unanticipated problems and/or unfamiliar situations.
  
  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. iMed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. Oral informed consent is valid for auricular acupuncture only. The Acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate.
  
  The Acupuncturist shall maintain up to date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended.
  
  The Acupuncturist will meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. The Acupuncturist will communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and handle conflict constructively and appropriately. The Acupuncturist shall provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedure.
  
  The Acupuncturist will seek to understand and meet the needs of individual patients regarding age, developmental, social, and cultural needs.
  
  The Acupuncturist will protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHA policy. The Acupuncturist will protect data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. The Acupuncturist will follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.
  
  The Acupuncturist will be part of the Whole Health Team that is working towards implementing Whole Health Systems care at the Ann Arbor VA. Whole Health is an approach to health care thatempowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their life to the fullest. The Acupuncturist may provide wellbeing classes within their scope of practice that include but are not limited to acupressure, self care techniques, nutrition and lifestyle education, or movement therapies such as qi gong or tai chi.
  
  Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Compressed/Flexible:Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 5:30 pm or Flexible (9 hour days with 1 lieu day every other week)
  Telework: Not Available
  Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
  Functional Statement #: 92372-A
  Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
  Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required
  
  
  Requirements
  
  
  
  
  Qualifications
  
  
  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:
    • (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.
  Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
  
  Acupuncturist, GS-9 (Entry Level)
  (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
  (b) Assignments. Individuals at this grade level are considered to be entry level and are closely supervised. The employee works under the direction of a journey level or higher acupuncturist or other health care providers licensed to perform acupuncture. The acupuncturist provides professional services in accordance with the established treatment plan. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance
  
  Acupuncturist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
  (a) Experience or Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:1. 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,2. Education. Doctoral degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in an acupuncture or oriental medicine.
  (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:1. Ability to screen referrals and direct veterans to other services as appropriate.2. Ability to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis.3. Ability to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan independently or with other health care professionals.4. 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.5. Skill in the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient.
  (c) Assignment. Acupuncturists at this level review and triage acupuncture referrals. The incumbent serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing acupuncture treatment as well as further coordination of care for patients referred for acupuncture services. The acupuncturist analyzes medical histories and physical findings to formulate a differential diagnosis based on oriental and western medicine paradigms. Duties include 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.
  
  Preferred Experience: At least one year of Full-time licensed Acupuncturist practice
  
  References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/100 PART II APPENDIX G53
  
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09 through GS 11.
  
  Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light lifting (under 15 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Light Carrying (under 15 pounds); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (1 hour); Standing (1 hour); Repeated bending (1 hour); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); Fine motor control for application of needles to patient's body using hands
  
  Environmental Factors: Working around moving objects or vehicles; working closely with others; required to drive possibly 75% of time

• About the company

  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.

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