• Job Description

  Req#: 785166900
  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.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Duties
  
  
  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.
  
  The duties related to this position include but are not limited to the following:
  
  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.
  
  Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
  Telework: Not available
  Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
  Functional Statement #: 000000
  Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
  Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required
  
  
  Requirements
  
  
  
  
  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
  
  A. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  
  B. English 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.
  
  C. Certification Requirement: 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.
  
  D. Education Requirement: Individuals 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).
  
  E. Licensure. Individuals must have 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.
  
  F. Grandfathering Provision: 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.
  
  G. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade 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 (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
  
  1. Skill and ability to perform safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques.
  2. Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence based and cost effectiveness.
  3. Ability to apply and adapt acupuncture to new and changing programs.
  4. Knowledge of research strategies, methodologies and principles.
  5. Ability to problem solve issues surrounding delivery of acupuncture.
  
  H. References: VA Handbook 5005/100, Part II, Appendix G53, dated February 7, 2018,
  
  I. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
  
  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-11
  

• 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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